Lynne groaned when her sister walked through the front door. Already her resolution to tell nothing but the truth for the next week would be put to the test.

“What do you think of my new haircut?” Dory twirled in the foyer and fluffed her short, auburn waves.

Okay, Lynne couldn’t lie, but she didn’t have to be mean either. “It looks easy to take care of.” Never mind that it made Dory look like a Q-tip. “Is it what you wanted?”

“It’s exactly what I asked for. And I think after I wash out all of this goop, it’ll look more natural.”

Lynne smiled. That was easy.

Her encounter with Harry the next day, not so much.

“Hey, want to get a drink after work?”

How many times did he have to ask before he got the hint? She took a deep breath. “No, thanks.”

“Oh, you have plans already, huh?”

Excuses automatically raced through her mind. I have a lot of work to do. I have to meet my sister for dinner. I already have a date. I have to wash my hair…

“Um, no.” She faced him, her palms sweating. They worked together. Life could get awkward. But she’d made a commitment. No lies. “Look, Harry. I like working with you, but I’m not interested in anything more than that.”

He pulled his head back in surprise. “Oh.” Then he smiled. “Well, I appreciate you telling me. I might have wasted a lot of energy thinking I had a chance.”

She frowned at his retreating back. That hadn’t gone as expected at all. She was almost disappointed at how well he took it.

This honesty thing was easier than she’d imagined. She didn’t always disclose her thoughts, but she never lied. Not even a little bit. It was actually invigorating and freeing. When she was late, she took responsibility. No excuses. If she didn’t want to do something, she just said so.

Two days in, and her life was simpler already.

After work that evening, she ran into her hot neighbor, Chris, in the corridor of her apartment building.

“Hey, Lynne.” He gave her a blinding smile. “How’s your experiment going?”

“Pretty easy actually, though I’m sure I could get into trouble if I were asked for my opinion on gay marriage while in Mrs. Prokiev’s apartment.”

He laughed and crossed his arms. “Easy, huh? Then maybe it’s time you were tested.”

Was it her imagination, or were his brown eyes twinkling?

“Do you like my haircut?” he asked.

“Oh, come on.” Why did everyone always ask that? She swallowed and met his gaze. “Honestly? No.”

He frowned. “Why not?”

“Because I like your hair better with a little curl.” Heat flooded her face, but she stood her ground. How many times had she imagined running her hands through his curls?

A surprised grin flashed across his face, and he stepped closer, running a hand across the top of his head. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gone so short.” She couldn’t look away from his gold-flecked eyes as he studied her. “I should have asked a long time ago.”

“I wouldn’t have told you the truth back then.”

His face turned serious and he placed his hand on the wall above her head. “Another test,” he said, leaning in close enough that she could smell his peppermint gum. “Can I kiss you?”

Her heart thumped against her chest, and she had to clear her throat to reply. “Only if you mean it.”

His smile returned as he bent low to press his lips to hers. She melted into his arms with one fleeting thought: Forget telling the truth for a week. She was never going to lie again.