All in the Game by Barbara Boswell

“You’d better pick up that camera and turn it on, or I’ll get you fired.”
    â€œA smooth liar, too. Look how you handled the questions about the tube of ointment. You were so believable that the PAs will be in a frenzy wondering which one of them dropped it and if they’ll be in trouble for it.”
    â€œI’m not a liar. Lying doesn’t come naturally to me,” she retorted.
    â€œI see. Unlike the Howes, who have an inborn talent for lying, you’ve had to work to acquire the skill. But from your flawless impersonation of an over-twenty-one grad student to your ointment tale nine years later, it’s obvious that you’ve mastered the art.”
    Shannen stalked off, only to return as if she were attached to some invisible string that Ty could pull as he pleased. It was almost too true; she’d wanted to get away from him, yet here she was, right back at his side. Making excuses as to why.
    â€œAfter I deliberately didn’t say anything about the Howes and their multitude of lies, you—”
    â€œI understand. Howes and lying…too easy a target. Why bother?”
    In spite of herself, she laughed. And quickly caught herself. “It’s not funny, Ty. You don’t always have to make the first joke about your family to fend off—”
    â€œâ€”the inevitable joke to be made by someone else? It’s become a defensive habit, I guess.”
    â€œAnd it’s not fair to keep referring to…what I did nine years ago. I was young and immature back then. I shouldn’t have lied about my age and all, I know that.”
    â€œThen do you forgive me for doing the only thing I could back then, given those circumstances, Shannen?” he pressed, his dark gaze intense.
    She averted her eyes. “Yes, but it doesn’t matter anymore. We can’t go back to the past. It’s been too long, and we’re different people now. I meant what I said last night, Tynan. We can’t—”
    â€œCortnee said she heard you crying last night,” Ty interrupted her again. “Were you?”
    â€œNo! And even if I was crying, it doesn’t mean that it would have anything to do with you!” Shannen countered crossly. “Don’t flatter yourself into thinking otherwise.”
    Ty stared at her. “I just had a thought.”
    She opened her mouth to speak, then shook her head. “Too easy a target. Why bother?”
    They both grinned spontaneously.
    Then Ty became intent. “Shannen, was it you Cortnee heard crying last night? She never mentioned you by name, and she can’t tell you and Lauren apart. Did she actually hear Lauren crying? Is that why you’re so upset this morning, Shannen?”
    His face softened, and this time he gave in to the need to touch her. He laid his hand on her forearm, his fingers stroking lightly.
    â€œDid you get back to camp last night, still hungry after staving off temptation, only to find Lauren crying her eyes out over Jed? That’s more than enough to cause a sleepless night and to make you wake up in a ferocious mood.”
    â€œWhat?” Shannen’s voice rose to a squeak. “What are you talking about? Why would Lauren cry over Jed? That jerk? Please! ”
    â€œOh.”
    It occurred to Shannen that he was still stroking her arm. And that she was enjoying it way too much. She swatted his hand away. “What do you mean ‘Oh’?” she demanded.
    â€œNothing.” He shrugged. “Just ‘Oh.’”
    â€œYou stand there looking totally clueless after making accusations about my sister and that narcissistic creep Jed but you—”
    â€œI wasn’t making an accusation. The production assistants all claim Lauren has a crush on Jed and that she looked devastated when Cortnee said he’d slept with those two other girls. I didn’t see any devastation, so I thought I’d missed the crush, as well.” His