A Beautiful Lie Read Online Free PDF Page A

relationship with Milo would ever work.
    Garrett often thought about the day he and Milo sat down at Parker’s table in the coffee shop.  For the first time ever, Garrett forgot how to speak around a girl, and not just because she was absolutely stunning with her long dark hair, green eyes, and porcelain skin.  She was reserved and quiet when they first sat down, content to let Milo do all of the talking and never once making him feel like she was bored.  It bothered Garrett that she avoided all of the personal questions Milo threw at her, and he didn’t like the sadness he saw in her eyes each time Milo mentioned Garrett’s parents.  But the easy way she laughed at Milo’s jokes and played along with his flirtations gave Garrett a good feeling, even if he wasn’t the one she was directing her attention towards.  When she slowly began opening up to them, one little piece at a time, Garrett could practically feel the weight of the world on her shoulders, and he wished more than anything that he could lift it for her.  The one and only time during that entire first conversation she truly seemed happy and excited about something was when she spoke of her photography.  Garrett would never forget the spark in her eyes that day and the smile that lit up her entire face when she spoke about her camera.  He didn't begrudge Milo for taking advantage of Garrett’s new found skills as a mute and flirting with her throughout that conversation.
    Milo had just found out a few mornings earlier that his father died in a drunk driving accident.  There was no love lost between the two, and it had been almost three years since they had last spoken, but it put Milo in a funk for days.
    Talking to Parker that day was the first time Garrett had seen Milo smile in almost a week.  When Milo asked her out on a date for that evening, there was no way he could say anything to him about how he couldn’t get the girl out of his mind or how he was the one who saw her first.
    After all, Milo was his best friend.  And Parker...she was just a girl.  Garrett figured she would come and go just as fast as all the others.  Milo had baggage.  Most women didn't have the time or the energy to deal with it.
    Garrett should have known immediately that Parker would be different.  She didn't put up with Milo's nonsense, and she wasn't afraid to call him on his bullshit.  She also knew how to soothe him when life got to be too much or when memories of the past threatened to consume him.  Her gentle way of using the tips of her fingers to smooth the worry lines between his eyes and her soft voice telling him to take a deep breath instantly calmed Milo and returned him back to the present. 
    Unlike other women who might balk at the idea of their boyfriend being in the military and leaving them alone for weeks, sometimes months at a time, Parker encouraged Milo.  She knew he needed structure and discipline of the healthy variety.  Aside from her relationship with him and his friendship with Garrett, the military was a big help in keeping his demons at bay.  How could Garrett ever deny his friend a woman like that in his life?
    So he buried his feelings, his wants, and desires and stepped aside so his friend could finally find some peace and happiness.  There were plenty of fish in the sea, as the saying goes, and Garrett spent all his time making sure he explored as many willing and able fish as he could.
    As Parker got to know Milo, she was eager to do everything she could to make him happy.  She was a nurturer and she wanted to take care of him.  Neither one of them had the best home life growing up. It was only natural that they fit so well together and bonded so quickly.  It probably wasn’t the best basis for a relationship, but in the beginning it worked for them. Milo understood how the holidays made Parker feel despondent because it was a time for families and hers was non-existent.  Milo didn’t complain that she needed to travel