Free All of Me by Gina Sorelle

chair.
    “Such a nice night out,” Stella
said, looking around.
    She loved her little backyard. 
It was one of the major selling points for her when she’d bought five years
ago.  It wasn’t big, but it was private, with a privacy fence on all side and
tons of plants, trees, and vines making it really cozy.  She’d installed a
gaudy water fountain in one back corner and a little garden (that Fi managed)
in another.  There were outdoor lights strung up in the trees and a fire pit
for when things got really wild.  It was Stella’s little piece of heaven…and
she couldn’t believe she was sitting in it with some dude she barely knew.  Who
looked like he was about to pull a jump-and-run at any moment.
    She had no idea why she’d
invited him in or offered him a drink.  She’d barely spoken to anyone other
than family, friends, and patients in a year - let alone sniffed them, forced a
beverage on them, and demanded they invade her private space.  She didn’t know
what it was about this guy that had her letting her guard down. 
    Not smart, Stell.
    “So, officer, assuming the
whole ring-and-test thing wasn’t true, what brings you here?”  A thought popped
up.  “Wait, how did you find out where I lived?”
    Even in the veiled moonlight,
Stella detected a flush creeping up the collar of his shirt.
    He cleared his throat.  “My
partner and I followed you home the other night after your…altercation.  We thought
there was a good chance you’d jump into your car and head back there.”
    “The only reason I didn’t is
that it would kill my dad if I got arrested.” 
    His brows dropped.  “Leave the
law enforcing to law enforcement.  Vigilante justice is always a bad idea.”
    “Would you feel that way if it
was your sister?”  When he didn’t answer, Stella pushed.  “Would you?”
    His intense gaze soaked into
her bones.  “I don’t have a sister.” 
    “How about-“
    “I came to return this.” 
Officer Drazek dug into his front jeans pocket and pulled something out.  He
handed it to Stella.  “I was conflicted about returning it, but it does belong
to you.  Or to someone you know.  So I thought it was only right.”
    Stella tried to ignore the
tingle where his fingertips brushed her palm.
    She glanced down at the item. 
It was the little purple Bic lighter from that night at the hospital.  Stella
grinned.  “Thanks. On behalf of the ER nursing staff at St. Mary’s.”
    “You shouldn’t smoke.”
    “I don’t do it regularly.  Just
when I have a rough night at work or am really stressed.”  Stella didn’t know
why she was explaining her vice habits to this guy.  “And who are you, anyway –
the Surgeon General?”
    Nothing.  Not a smile or a
crinkling of the eyes or even a blink of his eyes.  This guy was seriously
intense.
    “Another…joke…”  Stella waved
it off.  “Never mind.”  She lifted up the lighter.  “Thanks, again.”
    A silence fell, but it was not
entirely uncomfortable.  The crickets were chirping, some kid’s car stereo was
booming, and, in the distance, someone’s TV was playing way too loudly.  When
Stella looked at Officer Drazek, he was already looking at her.
    He said, “If you want, I can
give your number to my partner.”
    Uh… what ?
    “My number?  Why?”
     “So you two could…get
together.” 
    Stella’s heart sank.  Well,
that figured.  Not that she should have given a shit.
    “So, that’s what this is
about?  Nice. Very junior high.”  She stood and grabbed her wine glass.  “Tell
your partner I’m not interested.  I thought I made that clear last night when I
said I didn’t want his number, but I guess not.”
    “Maybe if it doesn’t work out
with your boyfriend…” 
    “What boyfriend ?”
    “The big guy you were with last
night.  With the earring.  Your friend .”
    “Not that it’s any of your – or
your creepy partner’s business – but Christopher is not my boyfriend.  He’s