Page 366 of Devil’s Disciples

I looked at Ally.

I simply didn’t trust her enough to tell he the truth.

Yet.

“I want an answer on that before I answer you,” I said. “I’ll answer, your question, I promise. I’m trying to decide how to word my response.”

She scoffed. “You’re trying to decide whether or not you can trust me.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because, it’s true.” She nodded toward my waist. “You crossed your legs, one knee over the other. That’s a sign you need privacy. You’ve blinked about ten times since I asked you that question, which means you’re uncomfortable. You can trust me. Tell me whatever it is you’re worried about. I’m an adult who cherishes what we have. I wouldn’t jeopardize this—or my reputation—by being untrustworthy.”

“I cross my legs all the time,” I argued. “I’m sure the pollen in the air is contributing to my eyes—”

She stood. “Take me to my car.”

“Excuse me?”

“My car. The VW? Take me to it. If you can’t trust me enough to tell me the truth, there’s no need on continuing. If you were nothing more than a penis to me, I wouldn’t give a shit. But, you’re more than that. I actually like you. So.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Tell me whatever it is you’re worried about or take me to my car.”

“It’s downstairs, remember? You drove here. Before you stomp off, you didn’t answer me, either,” I said. “Are you a thief?”

She sighed. “I’m sorry I got angry.” Her shoulders slumped. “Give me a hug?”

I stood and opened my arms.

We hugged. She held me as if she never intended to release me. I swayed back and forth on the balls of my feet, savoring her jasmine perfume. Then, she broke our embrace.

She took a few steps away from me, eyeing me as she did so.

With her hands behind her back, she twisted her hips back and forth playfully. She smirked. “Do you carry a wallet?”

I admired her for a moment before responding. “I do. Why?”

She shrugged. “Some guys don’t. They carry money clips, or whatever.”

“Yeah, I guess so. I prefer a wallet. I need it in my back pocket, so I know where everything is at all times. It’s like a wad of reassurance back there.”

“I bet.” She raised her brows in wonder. “Do you wear a watch?”

The line of questioning had sure taken an odd turn. I saw it as a strange change of pace. It didn’t shock me. Ally had a very quirky personality, and was unpredictable, to say the least.

“I’ve got to wear a watch,” I explained. “For some stupid reason, I always need to know what time it is.”

If I didn’t have on a watch, I couldn’t function. I checked the time repeatedly throughout the day. I was surprised she hadn’t noticed.

Still swiveling her hips back and forth, she nodded toward my hand. “Is there a reason why you aren’t wearing a watch now?”

I reached for my wrist. My watch was gone. “Fuck,” I exclaimed, looking around us, frantically. “I wonder where the fucker is. I had it on just a minute ago.”

“Probably the same place your wallet is. I kind of remember you paying for dinner, but I didn’t see it in your pocket after that. I wonder if you left it at the restaurant.”

I reached for my back pocket. My wallet was gone. I went frantic. I knew I had it at the restaurant. I remembered getting it from my back pocket and pulling out a fifty-dollar-bill to pay for our meal.

“C’mon,” I said. “We need to run back there and see if I left—”

She produced her hands. She had my watch pinched between her thumb and forefinger, and my wallet in the other hand. I gawked in amazement, almost feeling as if I was seeing something that simply couldn’t be. I then remembered her saying she was a slight of hand expert. Even so, it was unbelievable.