Page 32 of King of Deception

“Oh, you want proof?”

“You’d risk humiliating yourself in front of me?”

“If you agree to get dinner with me, I’ll do anything.”

He was asking me out. I needed to buy myself another minute to consider it. “Anything?”

“Just say the word.”

“You wouldn’t take me to a place where you work, would you?”

“I… move around a lot.”

“Troublemaker?”

“More of a wild card.”

“I’m scared of those,” I confessed.

“I don’t have it in me to hurt you.”

Putting my hand over my heart, I didn’t know why I believed him.

ten

Sweetness

Abel

“So, where are you taking her?” Adele spiritedly dangled her flailing legs as she sat down on the window ledge.

“Uh—Fresco’s?” I sifted through my closet in search of the least expensive items. I pulled out an old pair of jeans.

“Fresco’s?” I could hear the approval dripping from her mouth without looking. “And what’s that?”

“Let’s see if it still fits.” I proceeded to slide my leg into them.

“You’re kidding,” her lips were frozen apart as she stared at me from under her eyebrows. “You’re not gonna be seen in public wearing… that.”

“Why not?” I zipped it up and turned around, checking my behind in the mirror. “Look at that. It fits!” I chuckled.

“Are you out of your mind? Uh—seven years ago called, and it wants its trash back.”

“I don’t have time to explain this to you.” Turning away, I began the search for a shirt.

“Abel? Look at me,” she demanded.

I turned around with a lazy demeanor, tilting my head.

“Who is she?” She held up both hands.

“Her name’s Ella. That’s more than you need to know.” I grabbed an old shirt in light-washed denim, and Adele’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Is Ella blind?”

“That’s enough out of you,” I slowly approached, gently tapping her shoulder. “Get out.”

“You can’t—”

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