Page 46 of Single Malt Drama

“Yes, but Hercules was able to defeat it with a little help from his cousin, or in my case, my brothers.” Marco slung his arm around my shoulder. “Have faith in me.”

“I do, but we need to talk. You lied to me about Tara.”

“I did and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Why did it happen in the first place?”

He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Here’s the thing. You and I, we’ve known each other a long time. I’ve told you things I would never tell a girlfriend.”

“Like how many women you’ve slept with.” I could understand his predicament. I’d felt much the same about sharing my lack of experience.

“Exactly like that.” He turned my face toward his. “It was stupid, but I didn’t want you to feel awkward or jealous.”

“Do you plan to have sex with her again?”

“It was only one time, but no, I don’t.”

“Once?” I frowned up at him. “But Pete said—”

“Pete’s a jealous asshole.”

Nodding, I said, “And you swear, no more lies.”

“Yes.”

“Then nothing has changed between us.” I’d done the very thing I made him swear he’d never do. I’d lied, partly by omission and partly outright. The way he’d behaved at Pete’s house scared me more than I cared to admit. No matter how I felt about Marco, I wanted as far away from the mafia as I could get.

“Great, then we have a wedding to plan.” For the second time in as many days, Marco swept me into his arms and carried me upstairs.