Second Lies (The Second Life Series) Read Online Free Page A

through my bag until I found a gray, long sleeved dress.  I pulled on some tights and knee-high boots and stepped out into the hallway.  Nick’s door was still shut, which wasn’t surprising.  He always slept in, even more so than I did.  Today was different though.  I had a killer headache, and I needed a change of scenery.  I wouldn’t go far, just to the restaurant downstairs, and then I’d grab something to eat.
    It was only a couple minutes later that I was sitting in the upscale restaurant.  They were serving lunch, so I scanned the menu for something filling.  Suddenly, someone caught my eye.  The girl from Nick’s place was walking by, wearing a canary yellow cardigan, jeans, and some flats.  Her long hair was braided down one side of her shoulder.  Her makeup was very light, maybe only some mascara and some lip gloss.  She was naturally gorgeous.  I think her name was Angela.  Yes, that was it.
    I waved her down, and she stopped dead in her tracks.  She smiled and walked into the restaurant.  She greeted me, “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you down here,” she looked at my table set for one, “especially without Nick.  Did he abandon you?”
    “Not quite, he was asleep, and I didn’t have the heart to wake him up,” I gestured to the empty chair. “Please, unless you had plans, sit with me.  I literally just got here.  I didn’t even order yet.”
    She nodded her head and took a seat.  A few moments later the waiter appeared with a second menu and glass of water.  As soon as he was back out of earshot she rambled, “Look, I’m really sorry about yesterday.  I was so embarrassed when I realized you were his sister.  I felt like I could just die.”  I shook it off. “No, but for real, it was like the worst possible way I could’ve met you.”
    “Believe me ; it’s fine,” I smiled, completely thrilled that I was just having some girl time.  Gloria seemed to be a thing of the past, or at least, she was at this second while I was in Boston.  Once I got back to Philly, I planned on doing everything possible to repair my friendship with her. “Nick and I kind of lost contact with each other as of recent, so I knew showing up at his apartment uninvited would be opening the door to a million possible surprises.  If seeing you walk out of his bedroom was the biggest one, I’ll take it.” She exhaled and forced a smile on her face although it was still apparent that she felt uncomfortable. “So how long have you and Nick been seeing each other?”
    “He’s not my boyfriend,” she clarified quickly.  That didn’t surprise me.  I think the last time Nick had a girlfriend was when he was in the third grade. “We’ve been dating though since February.  He sat next to me in one of my classes.  That’s how he met.”
    “Yeah, that sounds like my brother.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen him commit to anyone in his adult life,” as soon as I said my thought out loud, I regretted it.  I didn’t want to ruin anything he had with this girl.  Although from what he said last night, she wasn’t exactly his main priority.
    “Actually, it’s not him.  It’s me,” she smirked and shrugged her shoulders. “I love Nick.  I really do.” Love?   My mind went back to that tattoo I saw on her.  Maybe she was delusional.  “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, but I can’t be with someone who won’t let me in.  I’m an all or nothing kind of girl…but he makes me break my own rules.  We do everything couples do, but I refuse to give him the title.  It drives him crazy.”
    The waiter returned, and we both realized we hadn’t once looked at the menu.  I picked a random thing, and Angela followed suit.  I turned my attention back to her, “What do you mean?”
    “Look at me.  You haven’t seen your brother in how long, and I’m already bitching about my relationship with him,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s not fair.  I’m