I WOKE UP early Saturday morning and took Duke for a run while Denise slept in. I had my Glock on me, but no one was causing trouble in the neighborhood. I’d have to go into the station later to fill out the paperwork for last night, and I was going to take Denise with me since she was my eyewitness. I figured it couldn’t hurt to have her backup my story for the defense attorneys.

When I got home, Denise had breakfast on the stove, so I took my shower. Then, after we ate, we went to give our statements because she had to work later. It didn’t take long to provide our testimonials and sign the necessary forms.

“It looks like a pretty cut and dry case, but you never know what the defense attorney is going to say about it,” Officer Davis told me. “He might say you fired your weapon unnecessarily, and then there’s the dog to consider.”

I smiled and replied, “Well, I’m sure ADA Sinclair will get this case, and he knows me. It will all be fine. Also, there’s a traffic cam at that intersection, so pull the footage. They ran a red light to cut us off.”

“Will do,” Officer Davis replied. “If there’s anything, I’ll find it and let you know.”

I waved my hand at him. “Just let me know if there’s a problem; otherwise, you don’t have to worry about it. I don’t expect there to be any issues.”

“Fair enough. Enjoy your day,” he chirped and waved goodbye as we left. I could tell he was checking out my sister, so I teased her about it on the way to her place.

“Can I borrow Duke until Marcus gets back?” she asked and batted her lashes.

I laughed, “That doesn’t work on me, darling sister. However, you can come over tonight if you want. Here’s a key for you and my alarm code.” I handed her a spare key and a piece of paper with my security code written on it.

“Uh-oh…I see a dognapping in the near future,” she teased.

I reached to the back seat and petted Duke. “He’d never leave me willingly. He loves me too much.”

“Well, I’ll just have to keep coming over for my visitation rights then,” she giggled as she climbed out of my car. “Thanks for the ride home. See you later.”

I waited until she was safely inside before I pulled away from the curb and headed back home, making sure no one was following me. Justin called as soon as I walked through the door.

“I heard you were involved in a brawl of sorts last night, and now I have to work over the weekend. I really should spank you,” he razzed me.

I laughed at the image. “Well, I had to work, so why not you? Besides, they started it.” I made myself sound like a rebellious teenager.

“Hmm…well, you’ll just have to make this up to me then. How about having dinner with me one night this week? I’ll even cook,” he suggested.

I looked at my wall calendar and saw that I didn’t have anything going on. “If I have to make it up to you, why would you do the cooking?”

“I want to show off my skills. Besides, you’d be making it up to me just by being here,” he responded.

“And is that all?” I questioned.

“Well, you can help me with dessert.” His voice was full of innuendo, and I felt my cheeks flush.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think we should behave and stay friends,” I sighed.

“We could be friends with benefits then,” he purred suggestively.

I rolled my eyes. “So, strings attached? Is that what you’re suggesting?”

He laughed, “No, not strings, benefits. I’m your friend regardless, but why not have some fun with it? Not to mention it’s a form of exercise.”

The fact that he was trying to talk me into bed was borderline hysterical, and I had to fight to hold back my giggles. He sounded so much like a lawyer with his closing arguments.

“Counselor, I’ll have to get back to you on that,” I teased.

“Okay, okay. I’ll change the subject. What are you wearing?” he joked.

“Oh, I’m wearing a skimpy pair of shorts and a filmy tank top,” I lied. “And while it’s hot outside, I think I could still cut glass.”

He blew out a deep sigh into the phone. “You’re just being mean. Want to do something tonight? No strings attached.”

I considered his proposal, but I wasn’t up for company. “I think I just want to be alone. If I change my mind, though, I’ll call you.”

“Okay. Talk to you later then. Bye.” He quickly hung up, but I heard the disappointment in his tone.

I just can’t be whom you need me to be. I’m too tangled up inside, especially now.

I cleaned up the breakfast dishes and made my grocery list out. It was time for this little piggy to go to the market.