Demons Don't Always Tell The Truth (Kate Storm Series Book 3) by Meredith Allen Conner Page B

mirror above my dresser, adjusted the ponytail until it was up high again and headed towards the door.
    Later tonight everyone would leave, I could send Al on a sleepover with Morgan and then Ash and I would be alone.
    All alone.
    Just the two of us.

 
    12. Revelation.
     
    Désirée Norma-Sue, Phil and Ash stood in my kitchen. Al perched on Désirée's bent arm. She held a martini glass in the other hand.
    Désirée was decked out in sparkly gold from head to toe. Her spaghetti strapped, low cut dress hugged each of her tiny curves. The long skirt split down one leg, displaying four inch, spiky heeled straps encasing her little feet. She'd even dusted her skin and up-do with some sort of gold glitter.
    Phil stood next to her. He wore a grey linen, short sleeved button down with a silky, darker gray vest over it. The vest matched his skin. And the velvet fedora on his head.
    Everyone had dressed up for my party.
    I'd probably given away my excitement over hosting an actual dinner party with my constant texting and reminders, but I couldn't help feel thrilled my friends made the effort to dress up.
    They were letting me know they cared.
    It might seem silly, but to a witch who'd never had a lot of friends, or hosted a party for those friends, it meant a lot.
    Ash half turned towards me. His amber eyes warmed as he took in my red shirt and the low neckline.
    His hand settled on the small of my back when I stopped next to him and he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "nice shirt."
    My cheeks turned a shade lighter than my shirt. Not at his words, but the husky, approving tone in which he said them.
    I still planned to take Al for a long walk tomorrow, but it was nice to know I looked good to this demon. Very nice.
    "Ya look good, Doll." Al nodded his little head at me while he glared at Ash's arm.
    "Thanks, Al."
    "Sugar, I love that top." Désirée Norma-Sue handed her martini glass to Phil then smoothed back the fur along Al's neck. "I wish I could wear it. I never look good in that style. I feel sort of lost."
    She would be lost in my top. It would swallow her up. I doubted I could even get one leg into her dress.
    "You look fabulous, Désirée."
    "She always looks good." Phil beamed. Somehow his cheerful smile wasn't at odds with his deep, rumbling voice.
    Désirée Norma-Sue batted her lashes at Phil. "Sugar Bear, you say the sweetest things."
    I sincerely hoped it worked out between them. Désirée had asked me not to use my magic in regards to their relationship. She wanted to enjoy the excitement and the anticipation of the unknown.
    I couldn't blame her.
    It was hard though. She was my friend and I didn't want to see her hurt, but so far I had restrained myself and was respecting her wishes.
    Phil was a great gargoyle and despite the size difference between them and the rather short period of time in which they'd been involved, it seemed to be working out extremely well.
    I was happy for them and slightly miffed that I hadn't arranged the match. I am a professional matchmaker. It's what I do.
    However, sometimes love has a will of its own.
    "Why don't we go outside? I've got some appetizers set up on the deck?"
    I wasn't one hundred percent sure, but it appeared as if the floor under Phil had started to slope downward. Plus we were all shoulder to shoulder in my tiny kitchen.
    And I wanted everyone to see how cute it looked outside.
    I'd found disposable pink trays with brown polka dots, brown plates with pink stripes and brown and pink checkered napkins. They complimented my porch furniture.
    I knew Morgan would think it was all supremely girl, but I was supremely proud.
    "I'll have another drink first." Désirée stopped petting Al, plucked her glass out of Phil's hand and downed the rest of her martini.
    I wasn't the only one concerned. Al cocked his ears and Phil frowned.
    Ash patted my back. "I'll make you another. Kate?"
    I nodded absently at him. Looking closer at Désirée Norma-Sue, I realized she was tense. The