Twelve Truths and a Lie by Christina Lee

thigh.
    I heard his low intake of breath, and he swallowed a couple of times before responding. “Not as bad as some other guys, I guess.”
    I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat and decided on a change of subject. “So, how is it that Mike got together with Dessa?”
    When he looked even more uncomfortable, I realized how tough this was going to be for him. “None of my business.”
    “No, it’s okay. You are about to meet them, so…” He took a deep breath. “I guess there was this one weekend when I was out of town and they, you know—”
    “God, that sucks,” I said. “Did you realize right away?”
    “Um, no,” he said, stealing a quick glance at me, as pink darkened his cheeks. “Wish I did.”
    “Ugh. Asshats,” I said, hoping I could hold myself back at the reception from marching up to those two and shaking them repeatedly. “Let’s talk about something happy. Like…dogs. Dogs make me happy.”
    “Dogs?” He laughed. “Wait, do you have one?”
    “No,” I said, twisting the cap on my water. “But I want one.”
    “We had a couple of mixed breeds growing up,” he said. “What kind?”
    “A French bulldog,” I said with certainty. I’d done enough research on them over this past year, too chicken to make the leap. Plus, they were pricey.
    His eyebrow arched. “So what’s stopping you, other than their obnoxious breathing issues?”
    I playfully popped his shoulder and then shrugged. “Before I would’ve said work, being busy, not sure if the guy I was dating would care for a dog…”
    “You can do whatever the hell you want. You know that, right?” he said, tapping me lightly on the wrist. “Even if you’re dating somebody, you have your own mind, your own preferences.”
    “I do know that. I just wasn’t in touch with myself very much before,” I said, grimacing. “Because being in touch with yourself can be painful sometimes.”
    “Tell me about it,” he said, sighing. And then he threw me a gorgeous lopsided grin. “We need to get you that dog.”

14
    Cameron
    W e arrived at the hotel and went our separate ways. I was glad they had extra rooms available because I didn’t want Aurora to feel awkward having to stay with me. She was one floor below and got off the elevator first.
    “Meet you downstairs in the hotel bar in an hour. We can grab a quick dinner somewhere before we head to the mixer,” I said.
    She waved as she turned the corner. “See you then.”
    I entered my own room, dropped my bag on the floor, and then sank down on the large king size bed. It was surreal, being back in the same town I’d spent my childhood. My parents no longer lived here, having moved to a warmer climate in North Carolina as soon as my brothers and I graduated college. Still, it had been years since I’d been around my old haunts.
    I fished out my cell and sent my mom a promised text. She knew all too well what this weekend was about. I had filled my parents in about the reunion weeks ago.
    My parents had been shocked about Dessa and Mike hooking up the way they did. Especially since Mike practically lived at our house during high school. To this day, I regret the weekend I had introduced my girlfriend to my childhood friend.
    Mike had moved to Akron, about an hour out from the city. I figured it was going to be cool having my buddy closer to the town I’d settled in after college, but instead I had lost them both.
    Except the truth was, my mom never cared for Dessa, though she would’ve never voiced it out loud. Guess she knew well before I did that we weren’t right for each other.
    Me: I’m officially back in the hood. Everything pretty much looks the same.
    Mom: Is Aurora with you?
    I had broken down and told my mom this past week about Aurora. How it felt good to make a new friend who understood me in ways others hadn’t, especially my profession.
    Me: Yep, glad she came.
    Mom: Me, too. Let me know how it goes, sweetie. Call if you need me. Love you.
    Me: Love you, too.