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WINSTON PARKED BEHIND Dee’s white Camry in her driveway. “This was an interesting night.”
“I can’t believe Grayson acted like that.”
“You must be one hell of a woman because he can’t let go.”
She sighed, rubbing her forehead.
“I feel horrible. I took you out so you could escape not to deal with Grayson’s shit.”
“It’s not your fault.” She took her seatbelt off. “And I had the nicest time I’ve had in a while.”
“We can still go to my place.”
“Nah.” She looked straight ahead at his headlights shining against her car bumper. “I’m not in the mood to do anything but sleep.”
He stroked the steering wheel. “I had a nice time, Dee. You’re cool to hang out with.”
“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek. “You’re not so bad yourself. May I ask you something?”
“Sure.” He clenched the armrest.
“It’s about Lisa, but I don’t want you to get mad.”
“What is it?”
“How do you feel about her?” She held her breath. “You still wanna be with her?”
“Lisa is a wonderful woman. Any man would be lucky to have her.”
“Answer the question,” she said with force. “Do you still have feelings for her?”
“Yes, but I’m not acting on them anymore. I’m tired of chasing what I can’t have. Because I care about her, I want her to be happy and if that’s with Jake...” He shrugged one shoulder. “I accept that and I’m not gonna interfere anymore.”
“But, if Lisa dumped Jake tonight...would you wanna be with her?”
“I don’t know.” His eyebrows furrowed. “Maybe I’m realizing something I didn’t before.” He stared at her mouth.
“Like what?”
He touched her hair. “That I deserve a woman who wants me and me only.” He cuffed her chin in his fingers. “You deserve that too, Dee.”
“But, what would you do if she said she wanted you? If she were here—”
“I’m not thinking about Lisa right now.”
“Winston. This feels...strange.”
“Yeah, it does.” He touched a loose strand of her hair. “Strange isn’t always bad.”
“I...I gotta go.” She moved back. “Thanks again for tonight.”
“Yeah.” His shoulders dropped. “I’ll check on you tomorrow after work.”
“I’ll go crazy here all day with nothing to do.” She opened the door.
“Use your time wisely and come up with a strategy so we can get Armando...”
Dee’s phone beeped alerting her of a text.
“What now?” She got it from her purse and checked it.
Did you enjoy your date? Your ex can’t get the picture can he?
“That’s it.” She closed her eyes, squeezing the phone. “That is it!” She hopped out the car and marched to hers.
“Dee?” Winston stuck his head out the window. “What’s going on?”
“Back up so I can leave!” She got in her car. “I got somewhere to go!”
“Where?” Winston opened his door and hung out the car. “That was Armando wasn’t it? You’re not going over there.”
She started her car and stuck her head out the window. “Back up. I’m not taking this shit anymore.”
“Dee, don’t do this. You’re gonna ruin everything.”
“I’m gonna let Armando know he can’t push me around. Now back your ass up for the last time.”
Winston backed out of the driveway and she came out.
“Dee?” He drove next to her. “Just leave it alone. We’ll get him.”
“This is my life, Winston. I’m not waiting around until he ruins it.”
She sped off.
****
“ARMANDO!” DEE POUNDED on his front door. “Open this door.”
Dogs barked across the street and his next door neighbor’s light popped on.
“Armando?” Dee kicked the door. “This shit stops tonight!”
Armando opened the door, fixing his glasses. “Detective Quarter?” He rubbed his eyes. “I was in bed.”
“I don’t give a damn where you were.” She pushed her way inside.
“What is this?” He closed the door. “Your dress is pretty. Eh, is something wrong?”
“I know it’s you so cut the crap.”
“What’s me?” He held his waist.
“The one who made that profile!” She pointed at him. “You can stop acting innocent. You sent me a text a little while ago too, didn’t you?” She poked his chest. “You think this is funny? You think you can just play with my life?”
“I didn’t create that profile. I...I swear it.”
“Well I don’t believe you.” She walked to the futon in the corner. “What do you want, Armando? You want me to go out with you? Will that make you stop?”
“Dee.” He gripped his wrinkled T-shirt. “I swear on my life I didn’t make that profile.”
“Stop the innocent shit. Lisa showed me the pictures of me on your phone. You’ve been prank calling me.”
He breathed hard. “I don’t have pictures of you on my phone, and I never made prank calls to you.”
“I saw everything myself.” She shook her head, grimacing. “So you can create some profile like a punk, but you’re not man enough to admit it? And you wonder why I won’t go out with you?”
“I don’t appreciate you accusing me of this. If that’s what you think then you can leave.”
“I’m not letting you ruin my life.” She went to the door. “The next time you see me you’ll be in handcuffs.”
“You tricked me when you came over.” He squinted. “You pretended to want samples of my work but wanted to look at my phone?”
“Damn right.” She stuck her chin out. “What are you gonna do about it?”
“You had no right without a warrant.”
“You had no right taking pictures of me without my knowledge.”
He swallowed.
“How can you sleep at night? You’re ruining my life, Armando. I’ve been put on leave because you sent those pictures to everyone in the department.”
“I didn’t do that!” He breathed into his hands. “I like you, Dee. You don’t understand how much.” He pulled at his shirt, rocking. “I think about you all the time. I’m in love with you.”
“You’re sick.” She opened the door. “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts because this game you’re playing will be over soon. You can count on it.”
She left, leaving the door wide open.
****
WINSTON STOPPED AT Lisa’s desk the next morning. “You doing okay?”
“I guess,” she spoke with her elbow propped on her desk, resting her chin on her hand. “Not used to being here without Dee. It’s so boring.”
Winston smirked. “Yeah, I miss her biting wit.”
“I called her a couple times last night, but she never called me back.” Lisa shuffled papers. “I’m worried. I hope she’s not too depressed.”
“She was upset, but she got out of it once we went out.” Winston took a stick of gum from his pocket and popped it into his mouth.
“Huh?” Lisa questioned that she heard him right. “You and Dee went out last night?”
“I went over to check on her and we went to a movie.”
“Hm.” She abandoned the papers. “What movie did you go to?”
“We went to that theater that shows the old classic movies.” He chomped gum. “The one I told you I love. Dee loves old movies.”
“Yes, she does.”
He sat on Lisa’s desk, swinging his leg. “We have a lot in common.”
An ache passed through Lisa’s stomach. “Really?”
“Yeah. We have so much in common it was like I was with myself.”
“Excuse me.” Lisa straightened her computer monitor. “If you don’t mind I have something to do.”
“Okay.” He jumped off the desk. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She squeezed the mouse. “What would be wrong?”
“Could it be that you’re jealous that I went out with Dee?”
“Please.” She cackled. “Why would I be jealous of that?”
“Because you want me all for yourself?”
“Please.”
“You made your choice, remember?”
“I’m not jealous.” She banged the keyboard. “I don’t want Dee getting hurt.”
“What does that mean?”
“We all know how Dee feels about you and she’s vulnerable right now.”
“Whoa, wait a minute here.” He pitched the gum wrapper in her trashcan. “Are you saying I’m taking advantage of Dee?”
“Are you?”
He stooped over, glaring at her. “I’m pissed you’d even think such a thing. Besides, Dee isn’t a woman to be taken advantage of.”
“You obviously don’t realize your power.” She avoided eye contact. “Every woman in the department is attracted to you.”
“Are they?” He looked around, tugging on his collar. “Why didn’t I get the memo?”
“It isn’t funny. I know better than anyone how a woman can get taken by your charms.” She closed her eyes. “Even if she tries her best not to.”
“This conversation is ridiculous, Lisa. I’m Dee’s friend. End of story.”
“Are you attracted to her?”
“Is that your business?” His lips twisted into a frown. “Dee and I are single. We can do whatever we want.”
“This is about me looking out for Dee. If you’re seeing her to get back at me—”
“My God,” he shouted with his hands up.
Officers glanced around.
“How did you get into the doorway with that big head of yours?” Winston asked. “Everything in my life doesn’t revolve around you, Lisa. Get over yourself and mind your own business.”
He walked away.