But now I was swindling the rock god directly, and that raised other concerns. Like my ability to pull it off at all. Also, I suspected he was cheating George with this deal, so I needed to watch my step or else I might get caught between the two of them.
Predictably, even the barest hint that the deal was going to go down today caused my con fears to start up. “You’ll get caught,” they warned. And even if I didn’t get caught, I’d have to face my guilt about robbing this wonderful man. How could I take his money when flashes of lust sparkled in the air all around us? This deal was so incredibly wrong.
I was also unsettled by his change of plans. Things were supposed to happen in order, not get rearranged at the last minute. But con artists have to keep their balance while floating on the currents. I would simply have to adapt—we’d do the deal sooner. This also meant I wouldn’t see Alejandro after today. One last visit, one last kiss, and then I’d run back to New York where I’d be safe. Certainly safer than here in Los Angeles.
I looked at my watch and calculated how quickly I could make it to Alejandro’s place. Then my training kicked in and told me to stretch it—make him wait. Alejandro’s mother may have taught him to appreciate music, but mine taught me how to work a mark. Don’t appear bored, but don’t appear too eager, either. Let them be the ones who are desperate to do the deal.
Deborah Gleason was a busy woman. She wouldn’t drop everything and run at the chance to sell this guitar. She’d take care of her personal business during her lunch hour. So if I wanted to be professional about it, I’d delay my visit until then.
I nearly started to laugh out loud at myself. Yeah, I was being such a professional in the way I handled Alejandro. I kept my focus all the time. I didn’t grope him, throw him to the floor, or lose myself in his intoxicating kisses. Much. At least I hadn’t ripped his clothes off and had wild sex with him. Although it did happen in my daydreams.
Without a doubt, I was losing it. I was doing so many ill-advised things that even Bea had to keep her eye on me. But interestingly, thinking about the nefarious F.M. had a positive effect. It woke me up, as thoughts of her usually did. And it helped me get back to the deal.