I try to take it. She hisses at me when it falls to the floor.
I back off with my hands up in surrender, “Fine. Eat it. You made her hate me. Thanks, Dick.”
He snickers.
He then takes one more bite of his sandwich and drops it on the plate, takes a swig of his beer, and then he stalks down the hall.
I watch, unable to deny how hot of a walk he’s got. I hear the bathroom door close.
I take a big breath and then another big bite of food.
Another big sip of wine.
Another bite of my sandwich.
More chips.
And then he’s back.
He sits down on the stool beside me and reaches for my hand.
Before I get a chance to move away, he pulls it to his mouth and drops a kiss on it.
I can smell the toothpaste on him. He’s brushed his teeth. This must mean he’s ready to get down to business.
I take another big sip of wine and pull my hand away, feeling my heart speed up.
“Ally, tell me what’s goin’ on. Let me help.”
I huff.
“Why’d you change your name? What are you hiding from?”
“Did you run my name through any databases that will alert anybody else that someone is looking into me?” I ask.
“The way I work, nobody can trace when I dig.”
I blow out a breath of relief. It’s not enough, though.
“Talk to me. Who’s lookin’ for you and why?”
“I have nothing to say.”
He waits.
For what, I don’t know, so I take another bite of my sandwich, chew, swallow, sip my wine and then eat another chip.
He isn’t losing patience. He’s just sitting there. Waiting. Watching. What the fuck? This guy is relentless.
I eat the whole thing. The whole giant sandwich. And when I’ve finished, he speaks again.
“Did you commit a crime?”
I sigh. “Thanks for letting me finish my meal before resuming the interrogation.” I roll my eyes.
“You’ll need that food for energy. You’ll be expending a lot of it tonight.”
“Blah, blah, blah.” I use an imaginary hand puppet to help me mock him.
“Are you worried about the law?” he tries.
I say nothing.
“You got someone after you that you’re afraid of. Who is it?”
“Stoppp.”
“Either you talk to me right now or the alternative.”
“What? Fucking you? Newsflash, but based on your past performance, it won’t be a punishment.”
“Unless it will,” he says with a devious gleam.
My heart does a somersault.
He grins, then changes tact. “How about this… either you talk or maybe I’ll do a full deep-dig on you. And I mean deep. So deep, I’ll soon know whatever there is to know including the day you lost your virginity, who you lost it to and what that guy had for breakfast three days after his fifth birthday. I’m that good. So either speak up or brace.”
“You already said speak up or sleep with you,” I correct.
He looks surprised.
“Are you picking sex over telling the truth?”
“Damn straight. I have sex with you and you stop your digging into me.”
He scowls at me but then eyes me from head to toe.
“C’mon.” He heads for the hallway.
I hop down off the stool. “I’m taking a shower first.”
“I’ll meet you in your bed.”
“Yours,” I correct.
His brows go up, but then he shrugs. “Fine.”
He says fine, but he looks ticked right off.
a) I don’t want him in my space without me there.
b) I have the nanny cam in my room, and I can’t possibly allow what’s about to happen to be recorded.
Speaking of which, I grab my purse from the couch where I dropped it earlier and take it into the bathroom with me so I can check my phone.
I brush my teeth while I read a text from Carly.
Carly: I love you. You better not move to Japan or I’ll be crushed. Do not leave without talking to me. In fact, don’t leave at all but especially not without talking to me.
Me: I love you more. I’ll call you tomorrow. xoxo
A text from Bill sent an hour ago.
Bill: Are you ok? That guy your boyfriend?
I reply.
Me: I’m good. Sorry about the drama. See you at work Monday. Hope dinner was good.
Bill: Food was great. The waitress gave me her number. I’m just waiting for the check.
Me: Awesome. Alls well that ends well. Yay.
Bill: Can you send me a copy of that selfie? I’d love to have it for the memories.
Not a chance, Bill. So you can show it off at work, Monday and act like you slept with me or something? I don’t think so.
Me: Weird. It didn’t save to my phone. Gotta go. See you Monday.
And a nanny cam alert. What the fuck?
I open it while turning the shower on.
It’s just Jude looking in my room and then shutting the door. Guess he just glanced in when I took off upstairs a little while ago.
I blow out a breath and then work to undo my boots.