Free White Offerings by Ann Roberts

Type A.”
    They both laughed and continued to smile, even after the small talk had evaporated. Biz leaned back and glanced around the restaurant. She was working, scanning the faces, looking for anyone who was watching Jane as she paced outside in front of the bay windows, obliviously chatting on her phone. Ari realized that unlike Biz, Jane was totally unaware of anything around her. Someone could come up behind her with a butcher knife and she wouldn’t know it. There was no denying she was gorgeous—to men
and
women. Even the gay men who walked past her into Smiley’s nodded approvingly at her shapely tailored suit and curvaceous figure.
    “I guess she’s really not my type,” Biz said.
    “And what is
your
type?” The words spilled from Ari’s lips without any thought. She couldn’t believe she’d uttered them. Biz would think she was flirting. There was no other way to take the comment, and her face flushed. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.” She looked away, but she knew Biz was studying her, just as she had done with every other patron in the restaurant.
    “At one point I thought
Jane
was my type, but apparently she doesn’t remember our evening together.”
    “You and Jane?” Ari shouldn’t have been surprised, considering Jane’s reputation, but she couldn’t believe Jane would have forgotten someone like Biz.
    Biz held up her hand. “It was a moment of weakness back in August. Even if Jane doesn’t remember it, I do. I was drowning my sorrows at Hideaway after an important client dropped me and refused to pay my fee. Jane was two stools down and started buying me gin and tonics. That’s how the evening began. Within an hour I’d forgotten my troubles and she took me home.” She leaned close, as if she was going to whisper a secret. “She is incredibly charming, don’t you think?”
    Ari could only nod, amazed that Biz remembered so many details from a single encounter that occurred a few months before. The waiter brought their plates and she immediately dove into her Caesar salad, grateful for the opportunity to do something with her mouth other than flap her jaws and embarrass herself in front of Biz. Only when Jane returned did she dare to speak, and then only when Jane asked her a question or wanted her to verify that she was telling Biz everything she needed to know.
    At last their meal concluded and the bill was paid. They walked out together and stopped in front of Biz’s antique, red Mustang. Ari didn’t know much about cars, but she thought it was called a Shelby, and she knew those were incredibly expensive. Biz handed Jane a business card. “Call me if you think of anything. I’ll see if there are any other florists to check out, and I’ll probably tail you tonight when you’re on your date with Isabel.”
    Jane rolled her eyes. “At least I convinced her to let me meet her at Vincent’s.”
    “That was smart of you,” Biz said. “With everything going on, you don’t need that woman going to your house.”
    Ari’s attention was drawn to the roar of an engine starting in the back lot. A red Dodge Viper whipped out of the parking spot, veering just close enough for her to catch a glimpse of the driver, whose long strawberry-blond hair tumbled around her face. She wore dark sunglasses, but Ari was rather sure it was Aspen Harper.
    “Jane, look over there.” Jane and Biz dropped their conversation and watched the Viper pull toward the exit. “Isn’t that Aspen’s car?”
    “It could be. That’s what she drives.”
    “I got a pretty good look at the driver, and I think it was her.”
    “Aspen Harper? That’s one of the names you gave me, right?”
    “Yes, she’s one of my clients, but I doubt she’s the stalker.”
    Biz raised an eyebrow. “Why would you say that? At this point most everyone you know is a suspect. Did either of you notice her inside?” They both shook their heads and Biz looked around. Together they walked to where the Viper had parked