“I’m always with someone. If there was some blonde woman, although I don’t particularly remember, it was someone from work.”

“Someone from work you couldn’t keep your hands off? And you were all over each other? Interesting colleagues you have.”

“Did you see that, Maya? Did you see me with another woman?”

I feel so frustrated. “No.”

“Then it could’ve very well been a lie. Who told you this? I thought you didn’t know anyone in California.”

“Is that what you were counting on?”

“I wasn’t counting on anything because I didn’t know you were coming. This is absurd.”

“So you’re saying you weren’t in a Lift yesterday with a woman, hugging and God knows what else.”

“In a Lift,” he says and stops. His nostrils flare, his face turns a shade of burgundy. “I knew there was something off about that guy. First of all, I think he was deranged. I almost called the police on him when he wouldn’t return my phone. Did he tell you all this nonsense?”

“Yes, and it’s not nonsense. Why would he lie? He doesn’t even know me.”

“Because he was a wacko. I’d be more concerned with the fact that he followed you here. You’re lucky he didn’t hurt you or kidnap you or something.”

“He didn’t follow me anywhere.”

“Then how did you talk to him? I should’ve called the cops on him.”

“We talked on the phone,” I say.

Not even. I never even got to hear Max’s voice…

I lean to the side and look behind David. The bench is empty; there’s nobody there. Where is he? Did he change his mind?

David grabs my shoulders, and I try to break away, but he’s too strong.

“There was no woman whatsoever. In a Lift or anywhere else. It’s all a lie. I was at work or in work meetings all day yesterday. I met someone at Embarcadero, then went back to the office and out for a work dinner. That’s all.”

He takes a step back. “I’m offended by your accusations. I thought you knew me better.”

He sounds upset and disappointed. Was I wrong and he’s telling the truth? Did Max lie to me? Or maybe it was an honest mistake; maybe he got men mixed up and what he saw was another blond guy with a blonde woman. It’s possible. Improbable, but possible.

“Let’s just call my office. They’ll confirm where I was yesterday. It will be awkward, but I’ll do it to end this. But if I’m honest, this is hurtful. How are we together if you don’t trust me, and instead, you believe a stranger, a complete lunatic?”

David is nothing if not convincing; after all, he convinces people for a living. He’s a litigation lawyer and a good one at that. I’m starting to have doubts. If he’s willing to call his work, then he must be telling the truth. Right?

“I’ll call now and wake up my boss if I have to because you clearly don’t believe me. But after this, we should reconsider our relationship. I don’t know if I can be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”