“Why do you call me Thief?” he throws back.
Because you keep stealing my thoughts.
I turn on my heel, an exaggerated sway in my hips as I move back to my bedroom door to turn in for the night. Before I go inside, I look over my shoulder, belly flipping when I catch his eyes on my arse.
“I can’t tell you all my secrets,” I say.
I can’t tell you any of them.
12
THIEF:
What’s your favourite time of day and why?
ME:
I feel like you could already guess this, but night. When the stars are out.
ME:
You?
THIEF:
Morning. The day is new, it can be anything you want it to be.
***
I watch Aurora laughing from the table beside us as she colours with Daisy. I lean my head down to Claire’s, where she’s reading through the menu, deciding what she wants for breakfast.
“Have you ever been with someone who talks dirty?” I ask. “Like, telling you all the ways you turn him on by being you, or the detailed things he wantsto do to you.”
The thought has been running on repeat in my head since West uttered them the other night. See, just like a thief. My mind has barely made room for anything other than West since we came to this fake dating agreement.
“Oh, yeah.” Claire nods. “Nothing like Leif though. Offf, that man.”
“Really? What about other boyfriends?” I feel somewhat reassured this may be a rare thing. I’m dealing with a hybrid breed of man when it comes to my neighbour. I’m certain it’s those books.
“I never had a boyfriend before Leif. I’m getting the lemon meringue pancakes,” she says, closing her menu.
“What do you meanyou’venever had a boyfriend?” Claire is the most doting girlfriend I’ve ever seen. Her face lights up anytime her boyfriend comes into the salon.
Claire looks at me, confused. Her short platinum blonde hair is braided off her face, and she’s wearing candy pink lip gloss with a cute pastel pink sundress. She looks like the ultimate girl next door, but I know the woman’s blood runs red hot.
“I played the field exclusively before Leif.”
My brain short-circuits. “What? Are you messing with me?”
She raises one fierce eyebrow in question.
I gasp, amused. “Babe, you’re like the mushiest, most dickmatised puddle whenever your man walks in. You guys are sickeningly codependent, but in a super cute way.”
“Oh my god.” Claire looks momentarily horrified. “I need to get my handcuffs out.”
“Sorry I’m late!” Lex comes rushing over to our table, dropping a kiss on Claire’s cheek and then mine before taking a seat opposite us.
I like Lex. It’s a wonder how she ended up best friends with Claire, given how different they are. Lex is an early riser and never misses a day of yoga. Claire’s a night owl and believes sex is the only daily cardio anyone needs–I could probably get on boardwith that if it were an option. Where Claire is brazen and loud, Lex is subtle and observant. These two found each other despite all odds, but Claire’s determination and Lex’s loyalty have become the pillars of their friendship.
