Read Online Trust in Us by Altonya Washington - Free Book Online Page A

don’t know me very well.” He sobered a bit. “Being detailed or anally involved is often a necessity in business. Those who aren’t do so at the expense of their own interests.”
    “I see your point, but I think I could really stand to be a little less curious.”
    Gage tapped the base of the beer bottle while relaxing in his chair. “Questions aren’t bad things, Alythia.”
    “Tell my friends that.”
    To himself Gage agreed that questions could prove pesky for anyone who lived as footloose as her girls—or his boys. “How often do you find yourself on the receiving end of their disapproval?” he asked.
    Aly appeared stumped by the question but didn’t have to locate an answer straightaway. The server had arrived with a fresh chilled beer for Gage and to take their entrée orders.
    “You should try the sangria.” Aly sang her words of encouragement.
    “I’m good.” Gage was pouring the brew into a tall frosted mug.
    Aly was insistent. “If you try the sangria, I could order a pitcher instead of this inappropriate cooler.”
    “Order the pitcher, Alythia.”
    “And drink it by myself? Thanks for making me look like the lush.”
    “It’s the Caribbean,” he chuckled.
    “It is, isn’t it?” She reciprocated the waiter’s smile. “A pitcher of sangria and bring two coolers, please. In case Mr. Vincent changes his mind.”
    “You know, I promise not to give you a hard time if you want to chug the damn thing right from the pitcher.”
    Aly threw back her head and laughed vibrantly. Gage propped his chin on his fist and simply enjoyed the sound of it. Each time he caught a glimpse of her eyes, he was struck by their amethyst shade and the enchanting way the light filtered through the almond-shaped orbs.
    He thought she may have spied the intent way he watched her, because her laughter quieted a bit too abruptly. She seemed to withdraw a bit into herself. He didn’t want to push, but he didn’t care overmuch for the haunted look that had suddenly crept into her eyes.
    “Alythia?”
    “I love my friends, but they make me nervous.” She blinked then, as though sharing the confession had all at once drawn her up and out of her thoughts.
    “I can’t believe I said that.” She slapped her hands to her cheeks and watched Gage as if she was in awe. “You’re a little too easy to talk to.”
    Gage leaned close to pull one hand down from her face. “I promise it goes no further than our table.”
    “I still shouldn’t have said it.”
    “Don’t you have a right to your opinion?” He gave a flip wave and reached for his chilled Samuel Adams. “My friends make me nervous all the time—I never know when I’ll need to have bail money ready.” He smirked. “But I guess they feel the same way about me. It’s to be expected when it comes to friends, especially the wild and crazy ones.” The smirk became a lopsided grin that was intended to make her smile.
    Aly put forth a real effort, but clearly her heart wasn’t in it. “It’s not the same,” she said.
    “Because you’re women?” he guessed.
    The sangria arrived blessedly fast and Aly watched the rich red drink being poured as though she were a woman dying of thirst.
    “Sir? Will you be joining your lady?” the server asked.
    Alythia stopped the glass midway to her mouth. Her eyes clashed with Gage’s and she looked away, desperate for something to focus on across the dining room.
    Gage didn’t appear at all displeased by the waiter’s unintentional slip. “I’d very much like to join my lady.”
    “Yes...it’s different because we’re women.” Aly waited to voice her agreement until after they’d taken a few sips of the sangria.
    “Alythia—”
    She waved off the apology he was about to utter. “Blame it on my stupid curiosity, but I really want to know what’s going through your mind right now about my friends.”
    Gage set aside his cooler, losing his taste for the fruity drink. “Honey, I don’t know ’em well