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Officer Asshole was persistent at first, calling me every couple of days, but then it suddenly stopped. I should be relieved he’s backed off, instead of letting it fuck with my career. The story I turned down tonight wasn’t the first one I’ve said no to, avoiding any story that might involve dealing with the Smyth Police Department.
I’ve been in a funk for weeks, not even wanting to leave my house. Cat had to practically beg me to meet her at our favorite restaurant tonight, luring me with the temptation of cheese fries dipped in ranch and a wallaby darned—the best mixed drink ever invented.
Cat’s hand waves in front of my face, forcing me to focus my gaze on her again. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?”
“Nothing to tell. I’m sorry if I’ve been extra cranky, I’m worried about Julianna.” That isn’t a complete lie. When my baby sister came to visit last month, I could tell how unhappy she was. Lord knows she hasn’t been happy for years, even before she married that prick Christopher, but she’s usually able to at least fake it. “As for turning down the story, my best friend called me out tonight because she has some big news to share with me. That’s my priority right now. There’s always another story.” Cat’s eyes do that thing they do when she’s feeling all lovey and emotional, and I narrow mine back at her in return as she makes a cooing sound. “So, are you planning to keep me in suspense all night or what?”
A smile spreads across her face, and I notice it then: the glow about her. Cat looks happy, genuinely happy. She’s not the type of person to dwell on things. You almost never know if something is bothering her because she always puts on a brave face. But I know the past couple years have taken their toll. After her sister’s husband died, making Lizzy a widowed mother of two, she fell apart. Cat’s been there picking up the pieces, trying to put them back together. Maybe now that her sister finally seems to be doing better, she’s allowing herself to have a life again.
“Do you remember me telling you about the really hot cop I met at the hospital the night of Xander’s accident?”
The mention of a hot cop causes my stomach to knot a little, but I ignore it and nod my head. “Yeah, you said he was the one who told Lizzy about the accident and escorted her to the hospital.”
Her smile beams even brighter, and there’s a dreamy look to her eyes as she nods. “Yep, that’s the one. He stayed with her until I got there,” she says, dramatically pressing a hand over her heart. “I’ll never forget how authentic his worry and concern for her was.”
The urge to roll my eyes and groan in disgust is strong, but she seems to be in good spirits. I don’t want to rain on her parade with my bullshit tonight, so I merely motion for her to go on with the story.
She bats my hand. “Anyway, I ran into him again while I was getting coffee a couple weeks ago and we ended up talking. Talking led to an exchange of numbers, which led to a couple dates.”
I hate the twist in my gut as I listen to her story. It’s not that I’m not happy for her, because I am. Cat’s a different breed entirely from me. I tend to avoid relationships and commitments, while Cat always seems to be searching for her one true love. She’s met a lot of duds along the way. I’m glad she’s finally met a guy who seems worthy of her, but I can’t help feeling a little jealous of the normalcy of her story. Girl meets guy, guy takes girl on a date. I have a similar story of meeting a guy in a coffee shop, only mine ended with me running away.
“Did you really have me meet you here to tell me you finally got laid?” I tease.
She presses her lips into a thin line, but I can see the amusement in her eyes. She knows I’m only teasing her. It’s my version of showing someone I care.
“No, heifer,” she says, flipping me the bird. “Normal people like to get to know each other before they have sex, and we’ve only been on two dates.”
“Yeah, okay, sure. You’re the norm. Whatever,” I scoff. “Well, I’m happy for you, but couldn’t you have told me all this over the phone or somewhere we could have stayed in our pajamas?”
“Don’t get mad,” she says, giving me a grin that’s all teeth. “But I asked him to meet me here too.”
I let out a sigh and lean back in my chair as I cross my arms. “Why in the world would you do that? I don’t want to sit in on your date. That’s weird.”
“Because you’re my person, and I really like this guy. Before I take things any further, I need to know the two of you can get along.”
“It sounds to me like you’re setting us both up for failure, Cat. You know I’m not a people person. I don’t get along with anyone.”
“That’s not true. You get along with me, and I think you’ll like him. Spencer and I have a lot in common. We’re a lot alike.”
My head begins to spin as I blink at her. I stopped breathing the second his name came out of her mouth. It had to be a coincidence, right? It’s possible there’s another cop named Spencer in this county. I mean, fate is a bitch, but that would be cruel.
“Does your silence mean you’ll stay?” She gives me sad puppy dog eyes as I try not to throw up.
In lieu of attempting to speak, I nod my head and force a weak smile. She bounces in her seat and squeals with excitement.
“Thank you,” she coos. “You’re awesome and I love you.”
Waving off her words, I tell myself to breathe, but my heart is in my throat. She stands as I pick up my drink, polishing off its contents.
“I’m going to the bathroom to freshen up, he should be here any minute. I sent him a text telling him where we’re sitting. So, if you see a handsome wayward man before I get back, he’s probably mine.”
Mine.
I’m going to hurl.
She winks at me and giggles as that one-word echoes in my head, turning on her heel toward the ladies’ room.
“Cat, wait.” She looks over her shoulder at me, her eyebrows raised. “What did you say his name was again?”
