“So?”
“Don’t play coy with me, Jonah. Who was the one who deflowered you?”
“A man.”
“Well, of course it was a man. Cut the mystery, Nancy Drew.”
I sighed. “It was Hayden.”
“Hayden Hayden? Oh shit! Are you two back together?”
“We’re not.” I couldn’t allow us to get carried away while so many things were uncertain. Just having him back in my life felt like a lot.
“You never told me why you two broke up. It came out of nowhere.”
It had. One day, he showed up at my house, flushed and trembling, demanding to know about the disturbing videos of me that someone had sent him anonymously. I had always been a quick thinker, but seeing the rage in his eyes paralyzed me. He grew angrier, and I switched to survivor mode, lashing back with everything I had.
That hellish fight still echoed in my head.
My phone rang where I’d left it at my station. I handed Jenny the remaining joint before going to answer the call. It was Hayden’s number. With my heart beating slightly faster, I picked up the call. “Hey.”
“Hey, you. Still at work?”
“Yes, about ready to head home.”
“Cool. It’s been ages since I’ve been to the studio. Got any new pieces on display?”
He used to say “stuff” and “things” when referring to my work, but I’d taught him to say “pieces” instead.
I looked around. “A few.”
“Is the‘Hipster’s Mattress’still there?”
I smiled. “Yeah, it should still be here somewhere. When can you stop by?”
The big entrance door slid open. “Is now a good time?”
I hung up and walked to him, still not used to his presence after all these months. “I can find an open slot for you.”
“Please do. Hi there, Jenny.”
“Hayden!” She waved while still holding the joint, then realized what she was doing and hid it behind her back.
“Too late, young lady. I could smell it from downstairs. You’re leaving me no choice but to frisk Jonah.” He pulled me into a deep kiss. Jenny whistled in the background.
“Do you always frisk with your tongue?” I asked when he released me.
“Whenever I can.”
I would never feel completely natural sharing public affection with a man, even if the public was just Jenny. I had grown up when the world was less tolerant of people like me, and although things had changed a lot in the last few decades, it was too late for me to grow out of my instincts.
“All right, you two, I’m out of here.” Jenny picked up her purple bag. “Good seeing you again, detective. Try not to leave too many stains around—the maid was just here.”
“Jesus,” I grumbled.
Once Jenny left, Hayden said, “Sorry for not giving you a heads-up. I was in the neighborhood.”
I raised an eyebrow.
