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An exaggerated eye roll is the only response I get. The waiter takes her drink order and disappears.
“Don’t want to talk about it, huh?” I chuckle. CeCe works for a hotshot local defense attorney. We met when I was brought in to consult on finding which ex-client turned crazy after her boss was threatened.
We dated briefly—actually not even long enough to count as briefly… or dating. We lasted exactly one dinner and decided we were better off as friends.
“No. Roger is in full asshole mode. He has a big client breathing down his neck and he always gets mean when the pressure cranks up. It’s lack of sleep or maybe lack of a soul, I don’t know.” She laughs, taking a sip of the bright pink cocktail she ordered. “Either way he’s a bastard right now.”
I smile at her feisty words. “I take it you aren’t assigned to this case?”
She sits back in her chair and gives me a smirk. “Nope. Thank god. I’m wrapping up a case for a different client. Paperwork takes forever to finish.”
“Hey, do you know who Johnny Utah is?” I ask.
CeCe wrinkles her nose as she thinks. “Wait. From a movie, right?” She takes out her phone and starts typing.
“Something like that,” I reply.
“Point Break.” She snaps her fingers. “That’s it. Keanu Reeves plays an FBI agent undercover with a group of surfers who rob banks.”
“Huh.” If I’m the FBI agent then Gavin must be the surfer. I smile, knowing he nailed it.
“Huh what? Why are you asking?”
I shake my head, laughing to myself. “No reason.”
The server saves me from embarrassment by coming over to take our orders.
CeCe rakes her fingers through her hair, flipping the thick blonde strands over her shoulder. We order our meals and predictably, CeCe gets the grilled salmon on a bed of spinach. I get the Mahi-mahi.
“So,” she teases, “why are you bribing me with dinner?”
I put down my beer and chuckle. “Who says I’m bribing you? Can’t a guy take out a friend without there being a reason?”
“Of course. But, I know you. So spill. What’s going on?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, I wipe the palms of my hands on my jeans. “I don’t know. I’m just…restless, I guess. I start with a new client tomorrow—”
“See. You’re so predictable. It is a case,” CeCe giggles.
I shoot her a fake glare. “If you’d let me finish.”
She waves a hand at me, urging me to go on.
“Anyway, it’s not the type of client I usually accept.”
The server brings our plates, asks us if we want anything else, and leaves when we tell him we’re all set.
“What do you mean?” CeCe asks around a mouthful of food.
“For one thing, it’s a celebrity.”
Her eyes go round. “Celebrity? Okay. That’s not too odd. This is Los Angeles in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Ha-ha. I know that.” I shift in my seat. “I’ve been hired to investigate a stalker.”
CeCe puts down her fork, wipes her mouth, and leans in. “Okay, now I’m interested.”
“I can’t tell you who it is, Cee.” I shove a forkful of food in my mouth.
