by Emma Roman
“What the hell is wrong with that?”
Slim took a generous slug of beer and swallowed. “Nothing if it all ends well. But if you screw up, it could be your ass. She’s right next door.”
“I don’t plan to screw it up. Besides, I’m only supposed to take her to a damn party.” He grabbed his own beer. “Jesus, I’m not asking her to marry me.”
“Okay, let’s say you two have a thing going for a while.”
“What kind of thing?” he asked, wary of Slim’s penchant for analyzing everything that came out of someone’s mouth. He was well known for giving the worst-case scenario of any given situation. Honestly, Eric couldn’t believe the guy finally found a woman who’d have him, much less bear two of his children. “I hate when you do that.”
Slim shrugged. “What if you two get it on real good?” Slim rubbed his hands together, grinning. “Next thing you know you’re slipping over to her house.” His two fingers became walking legs wiggling in the air. “Then she’s coming over here to spend the night. Then, boom, it explodes.” Slim throws his hands up. “You two suddenly hate each other.” He poked him in the chest. “And you, my friend, can’t get away from her because she’s right next door watching every move you make.”
Slim was close to being eligible for the psych ward. “That’s crazy.”
Wide-eyed and scary as hell, Slim spread out his arms. The show was over. “Is it?”
“Yes, and I’m not traipsing over to her house and she’s not coming here.” He took a heavy swallow of his beer. “None of that’s going on...yet.”
“See, you said yet. That means it’s on your mind.”
“Sure, it is. Isn’t it on yours?”
Slim sobered. “Well, yes. But I’m married, so I get it most of the time.” Slim looked doubtful. “Well, sometimes.”
He shook his head. “What were we talking about, anyway?”
“Her stalking you.”
“Jennifer wouldn’t do that. According to her friend Amy, across the street, she owns some kind of accounting firm. She’s a businesswoman.”
Slim’s eyes widened and he sucked in a gulp of air. “She has a friend in this neighborhood?” Slim spin around. “Ho, Ho, Ho.” He held up two fingers. “That’s two bitches that will know your every fucking move.”
“I don’t care.” Eric barked. Walking into the living room, he slumped down in his favorite chair. “I’m not doing anything besides going to a party with her. I seriously doubt anything will come of it.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t. You’d be begging for trouble.” Slim put his beer on the coffee table and sprawled out on the couch. “Never date a neighbor. That’s too close for comfort.”
“You’re full of shit, you know. Totally and completely.”
“Say whatever makes you feel good, but I know women. I’ve been living with one for five years. They’re dangerous and capable of things you can never imagine.”
“She’s your wife, idiot.”
“Yeah, my bad.”
That surprised Eric. He’d assumed Slim and Marilyn were happy. “Are you listening to yourself?”
Slim lowered his head and studied the toes of his sneakers. “That sounds sick, doesn’t it?”
“I hope I never say that about the woman I love.”
“It’s just been hard lately. The kids, work, her parents.” Slim looked away, sadness drawing his brows low. “Sometimes I wish I were like you. Free to do what I want.”
Eric’s knees nearly buckled. “Are you kidding? I’m alone every night. I come home to an empty house and a spoiled dog. I eat frozen dinners and getting laid is a major problem.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be so hard on Marilyn. I’m probably a disappointment to her, too.”
“I don’t think either of you are disappointed. You need to put a little fun into your marriage, that’s all.” Eric paused and looked around. “Wow. I’m giving marriage advice. How sad is that?”
“No, you’re right. I need to spice things up a little.”
His mind made up, Eric said, “And I’m going to that Valentine’s Party with Jennifer, no matter what. There are plenty of guys who’ll cover for me. I won’t disappoint her.”
Slim put his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Then I think you should follow your heart.”
Eric brushed him aside. “I’m not in love and I’m not following my heart. I simply said I’d do it and I will.”
“Good luck.”
7
Jennifer was excited. The party was tonight and she was looking forward to showing little Miss Chasity and company that she could not only find a man, but move smoothly past the guy who’d hopped into bed with her ex best friend long before their wedding was called off.
That was more important than anyone could imagine. She’d like to be mature enough to say she had nothing to prove, but how could she after being the laughing stock of the group. A group she barely associated with anymore.
Would they be there?
Jennifer didn’t know if the charming couple planned to come to the party or not, but if they were she’d be cool as an autumn breeze. Nothing would rattle her tonight. She had the perfect outfit and a pair of stilettos that would knock a man crazy.
Maybe not the best escort, but she kept hoping that Eric cleaned up nicely. He didn’t have to be gorgeous, just presentable enough that no one would feel sorry for her and think he was her last resort.
Which he was.
Just as she walked out of the beauty salon, her phone rang. Eric’s name came up. They’d exchanged numbers right after he moved in just in case anything happened. Her heart pounded fearfully.
Please don’t let him cancel, please don’t let him cancel. She’d just confirmed with Chasity that they’d be there.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jennifer, this is Eric, I’m going to be a little late.”
Her heart sank. “Please don’t do this to me, Eric.”
“I’m not doing it by choice. Don’t worry, I’ll be there, but it will be closer to eight than seven. That’s all.”
That meant everyone else would already be there. When they walked in, their entrance would make them the center of attention.
Great!
“Whatever you do, don’t cancel on me at the last minute.”
“Jennifer, I’ll do everything in my power to be there. Why is this party so damn important to you, anyway?” She heard him huff out a breath. “Message from the universe, you’re all grown-up. Nothing can hurt you unless you let it.”
“I don’t have time to explain, but the guy I was going to marry and my ex-best-friend are going to be there. Together.”
A long pause ensued and Jennifer’s palms grew damp in in the cold weather.
“Ouch.”
“It doesn’t get much worse than that. We all hung around together. I was the last one to know they’d been having an affair for six months.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He cleared his throat. “Be glad you didn’t marry the bastard.”
“I am, but I have to make it through this party. I have to put up a strong front or I’ll be the butt of all their jokes for eternity.”
“Probably not that long, but at least now I understand why you wanted a date so badly.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s cool. We’ll make it work.”
“I’m trusting you, Eric.”
“I know, and chill. You’re starting to make me nervous. I didn’t know I had an ex-boyfriend to compete with.
“Fiancé.”
“With the ring and everything?”
Her heart felt like someone had taken a hammer to it and smashed it into tiny pieces. “The whole shebang.”
“I gotta go. See you tonight.”
Jennifer put her phone away and walked to her car. If he only knew everything then he’d really know what a loser she was. And how this whole thing could blow up in her face.
Why did it even matter?
Pride—�
�the thing that goes before a fall.
She returned to work long enough to finish up several things she’d left undone before getting her hair done. Now, she wanted to go home, relax, take a long soak in the tub then start getting ready for the party. She planned to grab a late lunch and eat it at home.
Amy found her already standing in line at the deli. “All ready for tonight?”
“As ready as I’m ever going to be.”
Amy held her own lunch as she looked for a table. “Let’s eat here. I was going back to the office, but I think I’ll play hooky instead.”
“I had the same idea, but I welcome the company.”
They found a quiet table in the corner and, after grabbing a couple of cold drinks, sat down together.
Spreading out the wrapper of her sandwich, Amy looked up at her. “We’ll be there, you know. I won’t let them roast you over hot coals.”
“I know,” Jennifer said and bit into her sandwich, even though she had no appetite.
“It was kind of nice of Eric to help you out.”
After washing her food down with a drink from her soda, Jennifer gazed across the table at her friend. “It’s pathetic that I’m so desperate for a date after all this time.”
“It’s only been two years.”
“Two years too long. Yes, I was totally heartbroken, but I should’ve bounced back by now. Instead, I care what that jerk and Heather think of me.”
“That’s only normal. You were very secure in your relationship with that ass. There was nothing to indicate that he was carrying on with your best friend.”
Jennifer snarled. “Best friend doesn’t quite describe Heather’s position anymore. More like evil witch with a crooked nose.”
“A nose I’d love to punch,” Amy said.
Jennifer sat up and glared at her friend. “Do you?” She dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “I mean, would you?”
“If I wouldn’t go to jail.”
Jennifer reached across and gripped Amy’s hand. “You really are a good friend.” She batted back tears. “I’ve been lucky to have you through all this.”
Amy smiled as Jennifer slipped her hand away. “To the bitter end.”
“That’s right. We have a bond that no guy can break.”
“Speaking of guys. Eric’s still a go, right?”
“He called earlier to tell me he was going to be a little late.”
“Oh hell.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t get the feeling he’s going to bail.”
“There is something I like about that guy.” Amy took a sip of her drink. “Can’t say exactly what, but he kind of grows on a person.”
“Well, he’s not growing on me, so don’t get any ideas.”
Amy’s brows shot up. “Who, me?”
8
In the back of his cruiser sat the two federal fugitives Eric and his partner just apprehended. They were the meanest, most dangerous men he’d ever met during his career in law enforcement. Damned capture ended in gunfire.
The paperwork alone would take days.
“I can’t believe we caught these bastards,” Malcom said. They’d been together for three years, and he admired and respected the man. He’d take a bullet for him and the respect was returned. Being on as many stakeouts as they had, you come to know a man pretty well. Knew you could depend on him.
Eric rolled his shoulders to relieve the pressure on his aching back from hunkering behind stacked crates for three and a half hours. “I didn’t think we’ve ever get a break in this case. Just goes to show, you have to follow every lead.”
Malcom stretched his arm across the back of the seat and patted him on the arm. “I can honestly say, I’m glad these two bad asses are off the streets. No one was safe as long as they remained at large.”
Glancing in his rearview mirror, Eric checked on the prisoners. Lonnie and Larry Schultz were brothers and co-conspirators, selling guns to the Mexican cartels and anyone else with cold hard cash——they weren’t picky. They’d been on the run for seven months. Murder charges were pending for five people the duo had shot and killed during that time. Eric suspected the body count would be higher before it was all over.
Grinning with satisfaction, Malcom said, “Great way to spend Valentine’s Day, huh, partner?”
Eric thought of the party he’d be attending later. Glancing at his watch, he realized he’d be even later than expected. “Listen, I have a date tonight. You think you can cover the paperwork on this one?”
“Sure, as soon as they’re locked up, I’ll get right on it.”
Eric glanced at the tall, black man who hated paperwork more than he did. Then Malcom cracked a smile. “I’m not saving your ass, Holmes. I have a lady waiting, too.”
He knew it was too good to be true.
“I’m already late.”
“Me, too. And my gal’s expecting a ring.”
“What? You’re going to ask Kesha to marry you?”
Malcom beamed. “Well, it is Valentine’s Day.” His partner leaned back, smiling. “The perfect day for her to say yes.”
“You better have more than a ring going for you. Didn’t she kick your ass out last spring?”
“Yes, but I’ve worked my way back into her good graces and, if I want to get any further, I have to make a grand gesture.” He reached in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a box. “Ta-da.”
Eric eyed the sparkling ring with awe. Way to go, Malcom. He’d outdone himself. “You are serious.”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
They laughed as the prisoners started kicking the backs of their seats. “Knock it off,” Eric shouted over his shoulder. “We’re already dropping you off at lock-up with more than a few bruises.”
“Shut up, you fuckers. Lousy cops.”
“We’re not cops,” Malcom said. “We’re federal officers. We clean up after scum like you.”
“You’re a couple of pussies.”
Eric glanced into the mirror again. “You look pretty bad for someone who got beat up by two pussies. Maybe you’re two sniveling little shits who can’t do anything but kick the backseats of a car.”
“Screw you,” Lonny said. “You got lucky.”
“No,” Malcom said, “You two were careless. That’s when we moved in. Why on earth did you go back to the scene of your first crime? Don’t they teach you anything in criminal school?”
Larry shrugged toward his older brother. “It was his idea.”
“No, it wasn’t. You were the one who wanted to go back for the survivor.”
“Oh, I get it.” Eric raised his hand. “You two were taking a lesson from serial killers. Collecting a trophy.” He glanced at Malcom and shook his head. “Larry, you have to do that at the beginning. You never go back to the scene of the first place you made a gun sale...stupid.”
After releasing their prisoners into the custody of the Department of Corrections, Eric and Malcom left for their office. Exhausted, Eric slumped behind his desk realizing it would be well past nine thirty before they finished filling out all the paperwork. “I need to call Jennifer and tell her I’ll be later than expected,” he groused.
“Same here. I’m wondering if Kesha will be waiting when I get to her place.” Malcom rolled back his chair to the middle of the spacious office. “What happens if we didn’t do the paperwork tonight? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” He glanced around the large room and waved his arm. “Look, the office is empty except for us, man. Why can’t we leave early on a holiday just once?”
“I’m game if you are.” Eric stuffed the papers back in the manila folder. “I’m willing to face the Captain’s wrath if you are.”
“Hell yes, I am.” Malcom shot to his feet, his face determined, his jaw rigid. “It’s not every day a man proposes to the woman he loves.” Shoving around the other desks and chair, he said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
They left, slid into their personal cars, and pulled out of the parki
ng lot. Eric drove as fast as he dared, considering he should be picking Jennifer up about now.
He jumped out of his car, ran inside, fed the dog, and quickly jumped in the shower. Tossing on his clothes, he was still buttoning his shirt when he rang Jennifer’s door.
She answered and didn’t look happy, but damn, she looked gorgeous.
Tapping the toe of her right foot, encased in a come-fuck-me stiletto, she folded her arms and gave him the exact stare his sister did when she was pissed. “You’re late.”
“I know,” he said, raking his fingers through his still damp hair. “I had a couple of bad guys to lock up before I could leave.”
She stood on her tip toes then reached toward his face. “Do you have a black eye?”
“No,” he said, ducking his head. He brushed aside her hand, and hopefully her concern, as well. “Just a little scuffle. Nothing serious.”
She held up her hands and sighed loudly. “Tonight you had to go and get a black eye? Lucky me.”
9
Removing her hands, Jennifer realized that, even a little battered, Eric was still the best-looking man she’d laid eyes on in a long time. Why hadn’t she ever noticed before? Wearing a pair of black slacks, polished wingtips, and a pale blue shirt, he appeared well put together without a lot of fuss. His dark brown hair looked better finger combed than if he’d had it styled professionally. He’d shaved, but left enough stubble for her to want to feel it rake across her skin. Startling blue eyes gave him a mysterious, yet cocky appearance that had her wondering what he’d be like in bed.
Shoving those thoughts aside, she licked her lips and took her clutch off the table, tucking it under her arm. “I think that might add a little mystique to your appearance. Give the gossips something to add to their repetoire.” She allowed him to help her on with her coat. “Maybe they’ll think you’re a in the mob.”
His dark brows drew close together. “You’re okay with me looking like a tough guy? Why would you need that?”
She shook her head, and locked the door. “Never mind, I’m just really nervous.”
He took her arm and escorted her toward his car. “Relax.”
