Free Love, Lies & The D.A. by Rebecca Rohman

did that come from? Why’d he have to drop you home?”
    “David
lives down the road, so I walked. It’s just three houses down the street.
Anyway, they insisted he drop me off. Quite frankly, I was grateful. The
temperature had dropped drastically that night.”
    “So no
goodnight kiss?”
    “Absolutely
not!” I look at him, stunned by his question. “I said some rude things and he
took some low blows. By the time we got to the house, he insinuated I was a
rich bitch and I told him he was an asshole. So you see, the feelings are
mutual.”
    “Right…”
he replies, looking at me curiously. “So where was his fiancée that night?”
    “He
said she turned down his proposal. Smart girl…”
    “Fascinating.”
    “What’s
so fascinating about that?”
    “Nothing…”
    “Which
one is she?” he asks, referring to the group at the table.
    “I don’t
think I see her here. Maybe that caused them to break up.”
    He laughs
sarcastically.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    “You’re
holding out on me.”
    “No. I’m
not.”
    “You’re
a liar.”
    “I’m
not,” he laughs. “Dessert?”
    “Sure,”
I reply. “Excuse me. I need to use the ladies’ room. Order me something nice.”
    “Sure
thing…” He stands as I leave the table.
    In the
bathroom, I look into the mirror checking my outfit and making sure my makeup
is perfect. Suddenly, it crosses my mind that that asshole told the
police where I was. Is he out to get me like the rest of the SFPD? I bet he’s
dying to get me onto a stand so he can tear me apart.
    I
return to the table. A massive piece of chocolate cake awaits me with a glass
of wine.
    “Thanks
for dessert,” I say. “Do you think he was the one that told the police where I
was? Do you think he’s keeping tabs on me?”
    “Jada,
you’re being paranoid. Prosecutors aren’t part of the investigative process… most
of the time. That’s the police’s job.”
    “But
he knew where I lived. The police knew exactly where to find me.”
    “Sweetie,
the police could find out where you were in a hot second. Any email or cell
phone signal could give them an idea if not an exact location of where you
were. They don’t need him to do that.”
    “I
hope you’re right. Two weekends in a row? Don’t DA’s work their asses off
through the weekends?”
    “Some
do. Some play it smart. Some delegate.”
    “Oh
yes—to the little people,” I reply sarcastically.
    “I
think you’re wrong about him. He likes you.”
    “Where
would you get that crazy idea from?”
    “His
eyes followed your ass from this table to the bathroom and back again once you
left here.”
    “Well,
maybe he just likes ass. I doubt he finds anything remotely special about
mine.”
    “Is
that why he’s been looking over here all night?”
    “Oh,
stop being ridiculous.”
    “You
know what?”
    I
stare at him in silence.
    “I
think you like him too.”
    I feel
the heat rise up to my cheeks. “You’re wrong. Might I remind you that I was
supposed to be getting married tomorrow?”
    “What
does one have to do with the other?”
    “Leave
me alone,” I snap. “You think I’d hop into a relationship ten seconds after I
catch my ex and my best friend together?” I’m annoyed. “I may have ended things,
but that doesn’t mean that I’m ready for another relationship. Besides, if any
of that garbage were true, he wouldn’t dare risk his precious career on me. Not
that I care anyway.”
    “I
didn’t mean to upset you,” he says calmly.
    “I’m
not upset,” I murmur. “I’m probably just a little anxious with everything that’s
been going on. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
    He
puts his hands over mine and squeezes tightly.
    “Don’t
worry about it. You’ll make it through this. I’m always here for you. Remember
that.”
    “I
know. Thank you for being here and for extending your trip. It’s been a while
since we spent this much time together.”
    “I’d
do it again in a heartbeat.” He smiles.