by Joan Arling
“Me neither.” Even Val, who had seemed like the perfect match for her, hadn’t been her type. “And you? What brought you to the Anti-Valentine’s Day party?” Amanda asked, finally allowing herself to look over at Michelle again.
“All those sexy photos at work made me feel like I’m the only single woman on earth,” Michelle said. “The party seemed like a good remedy.”
Amanda quirked her eyebrows. Sexy photos at work? What the hell did she do for a living?
Michelle slowed to turn left at a light. She glanced at Amanda, then back at the street. “Don’t look at me like that.” She chuckled. “I’m not some pervert who reads Playboy at work when the boss isn’t looking. I’m a photographer. A lot of customers came in this week to take erotic photos for their significant other.”
“Ah. So all the photos in your apartment are yours? I mean, you took them?”
“Yes, they’re mine. Well, except for the one I’m in. One of my employees took that one.”
The images of the growling tiger or the age-spotted hands cradling a baby were still vivid in Amanda’s memory. She whistled quietly. “Wow, you’re good.”
Michelle took one hand off the steering wheel and brushed her fingernails over her T-shirt. “Thank you. That’s what all the women say after spending the night with me.”
Snorting, Amanda nudged her with an elbow. “Show-off.”
Michelle nudged her back and grinned. “Hey, don’t knock it till you tried it.”
“Well, I did try it ... or at least I started to.” Amanda smirked and shrugged. “Seems it wasn’t very memorable.”
“Ouch.” Michelle clutched her chest. “You could seriously harm a girl’s ego, you know?”
“Somehow, I don’t think there’s much danger of that.” Michelle seemed to have a healthy confidence, but it didn’t tip over into arrogance, as it did with some of Amanda’s colleagues.
When they reached the now deserted parking lot of the club, Michelle slowed the SUV. “Where are you parked?”
“Just across the street. You can let me out here.”
Michelle pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine.
Silence filled the car for a few moments.
Amanda fiddled with her seatbelt before she managed to strip it off. She struggled to find the right words. “Thank you for rescuing me last night and for not kicking my hungover, bitchy self out this morning.”
“You’re very welcome.” The expression in Michelle’s brown eyes was sincere. “Just try to take better care of yourself next time.”
“I will.” Although the situation had ended up all right, Amanda didn’t plan a repeat of last night. Okay, everything’s said. Now get your hungover ass home. She reached for the lever that opened the door.
“There’s a way to make sure, you know?”
Amanda turned back around. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, you know how it is,” Michelle said. “As soon as the next Valentine’s Day comes around, your happily partnered friends will start playing Cupid again. They’ll try to make sure you have a date for Valentine’s Day.”
Amanda scrunched up her face. “Maybe I’ll book a cruise in February. I heard Antarctica is nice that time of year.”
“That works too, but there are cheaper ways.”
“Joining a convent?”
Michelle laughed. “Nothing quite so extreme. No, let’s make a deal. If we’re both still single next February, we’ll go out with each other on Valentine’s Day.”
Amanda narrowed her eyes and regarded her. Was she joking, or did she really mean it?
A smile still played around Michelle’s full lips, but her gaze was steady and serious.
“But I don’t date butch women, and you don’t date actresses.”
Michelle shrugged. “Well, maybe we should both broaden our repertoires. Besides, I’m not proposing marriage. One date.” Her scar moved as she winked. “I even promise to make sure you’re not ordering drinks with names like Mind Eraser. So what do you say?”
Amanda considered it for a moment. Her date with Val, a feminine woman who seemed just her type, had been a catastrophe. No matter what, going out with Michelle just once couldn’t be worse than that. “All right,” she said. “And I promise not to grope you again.”
“Damn,” Michelle said.
Amanda elbowed her.
“Um, I meant ... deal.”
They shook hands, holding on for a heartbeat longer than strictly necessary.
Finally, Amanda let go.
Before she could open the door, Michelle had gotten out of the SUV and did it for her.
“Thanks,” Amanda said.
Michelle reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. “Here’s my card. Call me, and we can meet to talk about the details of our date.”
“You want to go on a date to plan our date? Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t that make it two dates?”
“Oh, no,” Michelle said, not quite pulling off an innocent expression. “Let’s just call it ... rehearsal.”
“Mmhmm.” Amanda decided to let it go. If she was honest with herself, she would like to see Michelle before next year. It would give her a chance to thank Michelle by paying for dinner. She took the card Michelle held out and studied it. Michelle V. Osinski. Photographer.
“So,” Michelle jingled her keys, “see you soon, then.”
“Yes. Until soon.”
One last nod and a smile, then Michelle rounded the SUV and got in on the driver’s side. She reached out to close the door.
“Michelle,” Amanda called.
Michelle paused and looked up. “Yes?”
“What does the V stand for?”
“Excuse me?”
Amanda lifted the card. “Your middle name.”
“Ah.” Michelle wrinkled her nose as if smelling something bad. “Veronica.”
Not Valentine. Amanda smiled and decided to take it as a good omen.
“Why?” Michelle asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just curious. Drive carefully.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem now that no one’s groping me.” Grinning, Michelle closed the door and turned the key in the ignition.
Amanda waved and watched until the SUV’s taillights disappeared in the distance before she headed to her car. Another flyer advertising the Anti-Valentine’s Day party was stuck behind her windshield wiper. She pulled it free and crumpled it up. Next year, she wouldn’t need it.
###
Two Hearts—One Mind
RJ Nolan
“Hey, McKenna.”
Sam’s fingers froze on her uniform shirt buttons. She stepped to the end of the row of lockers and peered toward the door.
Kowalski, a fellow officer, stood with the locker room door propped open with his foot. He motioned Sam over.
Buttoning her shirt as she went, Sam made her way to the door. “What’s up? I already signed out.”
Kowalski smirked. “You’re a sly dog, McKenna. You better hope Christie never finds out.”
Sam scowled. Just the mention of her girlfriend was enough to sour Sam’s good mood. She waved Kowalski out into the hallway and followed him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
A smile that could only be termed lecherous covered Kowalski’s face. “There’s a smoking-hot blonde asking for you at the front desk.”
Sam wasn’t expecting any visitors. “What does she look like?”
“She’s got a killer body.” He brought his hands up and mimed the woman’s breast size. “Hot damn.”
Sam smacked him on the back of the head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Kill joy,” Kowalski muttered. “Fine. About five-nine. Shoulder-length curly blond hair. Blue eyes.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And like I said, she’s smoking-hot.”
She knew one woman who fit that description perfectly. Kim. “Did you leave her in the lobby?”
“Yeah. I—”
Sam waved him off. “Thanks.” She headed for
the front desk at a fast walk. What’s Kim doing here in the middle of the week? Fear shot through Sam. Has something happened to Jess? Even as the thought crossed her mind, Sam discounted it. There was no way Kim would be anywhere but at Jess’s side if that were the case.
She shoved open the door to the lobby and scanned the packed room. Every chair was filled, and people were lined up in front of the main desk. Kim was sitting in a chair against the far wall. A poster on domestic violence hung on the wall above her head. The woman sitting to Kim’s right was leaning way too far into Kim’s personal space for Sam’s comfort.
Sam quickened her pace. “Hey, Kim,” she said as soon as she got close enough to be heard.
The woman next to Kim jerked back. Her gaze bounced between Sam and Kim.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Sam gave the woman a stern look.
With one last glance at Kim, the woman got up and scurried away.
Sam tried not to smile at the relieved look on Kim’s face. While Kim dealt with more than her fair share of strange characters as a psychiatrist working in L.A. Metro’s ER, she looked uneasy and out of place in the police station.
“Sam,” Kim said. She smiled as she rose from her chair.
“Everything okay?” Sam gave Kim’s hand a quick squeeze.
Kim hesitated, then nodded. “Um ... sorry to just show up like this without talking to you first. I tried to call you last night, but your phone went straight to voice mail. I tried again this morning but just got your voice mail again.”
“Sorry about that. My phone got broken last night at volleyball practice. I haven’t had a chance to replace it.”
“Oh. Okay.” Kim shifted in place and stuck her hands in her jean pockets. “I planned on coming down regardless.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Sam peered at her. What’s going on? Something was off. It wasn’t like Kim to sound so unsure of herself. She knows how much I care about her. I’m always happy to see her whether my sister can come with her or not.
A commotion broke out near the front desk before Sam could question her further.
Sam stepped in front of Kim, shielding her from the fracas. She made sure her fellow officers had the trouble-maker under control before turning back to Kim. “Come on. You can wait for me in the back while I change and secure my gear. Then we can go grab a cup of coffee and you can tell me what’s going on.”
* * *
“I need to do some shopping,” Kim said.
“Shopping? But...” That didn’t make any sense to Sam. She couldn’t think of anything that would be available in San Diego that wouldn’t be in Los Angeles, where Kim and Jess lived. Before Sam could ask any questions, Kim headed toward the back of the coffee shop. Sam trailed in her wake.
Kim settled into an overstuffed chair in a quiet corner of the shop.
Sam pulled the chair next to hers closer and angled it so they could talk somewhat privately. Thankfully, at this time of the afternoon, the coffee shop wasn’t crowded. “So Jess couldn’t get the day off to come with you, huh?”
Kim shook her head. She looked everywhere except at Sam. Kim popped out of her chair, making Sam jump. “I’ll go get our coffee.” She practically bolted from Sam.
What the heck? Between Kim coming to San Diego alone for a shopping trip and her unusual behavior, things just didn’t add up for Sam and that stirred her cop instincts. I hope she’s not upset with Jess.
Jess had been keeping a secret from Kim for weeks now. Please don’t let anything mess up Jess’s plans. She was drawn out of her thoughts by Kim’s return.
“Here you go,” Kim said. She handed Sam a cup of coffee and a small brown bag.
Opening the bag eagerly, Sam smiled. Oh, yeah. She knows me well. Unlike Jess, Sam shared Kim’s chocolate addiction. She pulled out the chocolate croissant and took a big bite. Sam groaned, and her eyes closed as the rich chocolate and pastry melted in her mouth. She opened her eyes and grinned at Kim. “Are you trying to bribe me into going shopping with you?”
Kim flushed. “Maybe.” Her expression turned serious. “I really do need your help.”
“Anything,” Sam said. “You know that.”
“I know.” Kim touched Sam’s knee. “And I appreciate it.”
“Tell me what I can do to help.” It bothered her to see Kim, who was usually so outgoing and vibrant, acting so subdued.
“Well, Valentine’s Day is next Friday.”
Since that’s all Jess has talked about for the last month. Oh yeah. I know. She couldn’t wait to see Kim’s reaction to Jess’s surprise. Sam fought to tame a smirk. “Really? That’s next week?”
“Sam!” Kim’s tone left no doubt she wasn’t in the mood to be teased.
“Okay, sorry. Go ahead.”
Kim scrubbed her hands up and down her thighs, then sighed. “The Valentine’s Day present I planned for Jess,” her voice hitched, “well, it didn’t work out.” She looked up at Sam with tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes.
What the hell is going on? This has got to be about more than a present. Sam leaned close. “Hey. It’s okay. I’m sure Jess will understand. She’ll love anything you get her.”
As Kim brushed her hair back from her face, she blew out a breath. “I know. It’s just ... complicated. Anyway, I want this Valentine’s Day to be extra special—for both of us.” She met Sam’s gaze, and the confident spark Sam was used to seeing in Kim’s warm, blue eyes finally made an appearance. “I’m going to buy her a ring and ask her to marry me.”
Holy smokes, Batman! There go all of Jess’s plans up in smoke. Now what do I do? “Um ... Well ...”
Kim’s expression fell.
Ah. Crap. “That’s great. I’m sure Jess will be thrilled.”
“You’re sure?” Kim’s brow furrowed. “Do you know something I don’t?”
Oh, shit! Jess warned you Kim was getting suspicious. Sam put on her best cop face. “No.”
“You’re positive?” Kim stared at her hard as if trying to gauge her sincerity.
“Absolutely positive.” You better hope God’s understanding of the spot you’re in, or you’re going straight to hell for that bald-faced lie. Sam was sure Kim would forgive her once she found out why Sam lied. Jess will kill me if I blow the surprise she’s been planning for weeks.
“Then you’ll help me?”
“Of course,” Sam said, finally over her shock at what Kim was proposing—literally. A little half-smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Looks like Jess is about to get a surprise of her own.
“Great. Thank you.” Kim’s smile lit her face. “You’re the same ring size as Jess, so I wanted you to make sure the ring would fit her.”
Well, now I know why she wanted to come to San Diego. “Did you have a specific jeweler in mind?” I know a good one, but I’m sure as hell not suggesting that one.
“Yes,” Kim said. “That’s the other reason I needed to come down here. I want to go to Aberdeen Jewelers in La Jolla.”
Panic raced through Sam. Aberdeen was the same jeweler where Jess had purchased Kim’s ring. Could this get any worse?
* * *
“It must be around here somewhere?” Kim glanced at the piece of paper in her hand, then up at the number on the store nearest them. “We’re still twenty numbers off. Must be farther on.”
Sam knew they needed to go to the end of the walkway where they were and then around the corner, but she couldn’t very well say that. Aberdeen’s was tucked into the back corner of an outdoor mall filled with run-of-the-mill tourist shops. It was not in a location you would stumble upon by accident. “So where did you hear about this place?”
“Do you remember Lindsay Bower? She’s the social worker you met at Sid’s.”
“Right.” Sam nodded. “I remember.”
“She bought her partner a ring here last year. She just raved about the place.”
Ah. Same way Jess heard about it. Thanks a lot, Lindsay. They must get l
ots of word-of-mouth business because the place sure doesn’t fit in with the rest of the low-end shops here.
“There it is!” Kim said.
Sam kept a smile plastered on her face as she held open the door to the exclusive jewelry store for Kim. She scanned the small store. Oh great. Sam bit back a groan. You just had to ask if things could get worse. There, standing behind the counter, was the same salesman that had waited on Jess.
The man’s smile brightened when he spotted Sam. “Welcome ba—”
Sam coughed loudly. “Excuse me. Hello.”
A frown marred the salesman’s face. “Here to pick—”
A coughing fit overtook Sam. Or at least that’s what she hoped Kim thought.
Kim was instantly at her side. She stroked her hand soothingly up and down Sam’s back.
Sam straightened up and cleared her throat. She met Kim’s concerned blue eyes. Guilt stung her for worrying Kim and taking advantage of her caring nature. But under the circumstances she had little choice.
“You okay?” Kim asked.
“Yeah. Don’t know what happened there.” Sam motioned toward a water cooler she had spotted on her initial perusal of the room. “Would you mind getting me a drink of water?”
“Of course, Sam.”
As soon as Kim walked away, Sam moved close to the counter and the salesman. She had to be quick; the shop wasn’t that big, and Kim would be back momentarily. She lowered her voice. “You don’t know me. I’ve never been in the store before. Got me?”
“Here you go, Sam.”
Sam jumped and spun around toward Kim. “Thanks.” She took the small cup, grateful for the chance to regain her composure.
“It everything okay?” Kim asked.
“Good. Everything’s good.” Sam barely resisted the urge to squirm under Kim’s sharp gaze. Calm down. She’s way too perceptive, but it’s not like she can read your mind. “Mr. ...” She turned to the salesman. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”
“Redmond. David Redmond.”
“I was just telling Mr. Redmond.”
“David. Please. Call me David.”
“Okay, David. That you are interested in seeing some wedding bands without stones. That’s what you wanted. Right?”
