Knot a Liar (Knotted Up Book 1) by Rose Ann Bridges Read Free Book Online

forehead smoothing and melting into a mouth which turns up at the corners.
    “Don’t worry about that, it’s always under wraps. Never uncovered before play time. Nothing Sam sneak through.” Sam draws back his lips to reveal a gleaming set of teeth.
    “Eew! My ears, Sam!” Koya’s response in an instant, hands to swinging to rescue and cover her abused ears.
    “Sam?! This is dinner, remember. Keep that talk from the table.” Lydia, appalled by Sam’s statement says in the same moment as Koya.
    Peter looks rather proud, bobbing his head in agreement with Sam, while sending a smile and a thumbs up.
    “Max started it, how come I get in trouble?” Sam huffs out, looking displeased with the turn of events.
    “Well, I’m ending it.” Clearly Lydia has said this too many times with three children, as the stern response was automatic. Max’s lips spread wider putting on display, his full set of teeth.
    Grace and I sit there enjoying the exchange between Sam and his family when a thought shakes up my core. Isn’t Sam gay? How can there be talks of natural children, if he’s gay? He must be planning to adopt. Unless his family doesn’t know. If they don’t know I don’t want to be the one to spill that secret, it’s not mine to tell. Pretending for the rest of dinner can’t hurt anyone.
    The sounds of people talking and laughing dwindles down to murmuring, flickering candlelight and the clink of keys being pulled from pockets alert Grace and I to the time.
    About 12:30 Grace decides to head home. Following suit, Grace and I volunteer Sam into dropping us home.
    I get home not really tired and invite Sam in for coffee.
    “I enjoyed tonight. The play, your family. They are nice people by the way.” I set the coffee pot to brew while grabbing mugs, spoons, sugar and cream.
    He grins at me from across the counter. “Thank you, they liked you too. They don’t relax around new people that well, but you and Grace fit right in.”
    I smile while shaking my head. “There’s no fitting in for us, Sam. Besides, I promised myself I wouldn’t hire you. I had someone else in mind frankly.” Talking like that won’t help my sanity, nerves or body in rejecting the idea of you, Sam.
    “Why not?” I didn’t return his smile; I can’t show him how much he affects me nor how much I like him even more than I’m Saming to admit. He’s gay for mercy’s sake. No matter what I think or feel, that isn’t something I can work with in a relationship.
    “I figured you, being gay, wouldn’t be the sort to mix business with pleasure. I promised myself yesterday when we met that we could be good friends instead.” I pour the coffee into both mugs and hand Sam a spoon, which he refuses. I sit and put one spoon of sugar and pour cream into mine before stirring.
    “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Not even to yourself, sweetheart.” I sip my coffee and study him through narrowed eyes.
    He laughs, my words not diffusing him. Though Sam is that sort, the type who refuses to accept that a person, man or woman apparently, might not find him attractive, might not be thrilled by his attentions; might prefer their own or anyone else’s company to his. He is right, to an extent. It’s even plain that any insults I might launch at him Sam roll off his oblivious back because he refuses to believe that a person might mean what is said.
    Only I meant them.
    “What do you want me to do?”
    “I want you to take me to your reunion,” he replies. “I’m the perfect boyfriend that you are looking for. I have a mother and a sister who have whipped me into shape over the years; virtual guarantee I’ll be exactly what you want.”
    Leaning back on the bar stool, I find the air thinning and almost unable to breathe. Could I develop resistance to my urges towards Sam and take the risk? I’d definitely look better with him on my arm, rather than with Mitch, no, umm... Mike. I take another sip of the coffee, tasting the velvety