FAT, BARREN, AND REJECTED
It came out short and disbelieving, the kind of laugh a man gives when someone’s insulted his intelligence instead of amused him.
“That’s good.” He shook his head, still laughing under his breath. “That’s genuinely good. Did my grandmother’s people teach you that one, or did you come up with it yourself?”
“I’m not lying to you.”
“Of course you’re not.” He leaned back, arms crossed, something cold settling behind his eyes now that the laugh had faded. “You’re the third woman this year to try that particular story on me. One of them even had a name badge to match, if you can believe that. Very convincing prop.”