Catalina smirked. She knew damn well how good she looked. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
I still hadn’t turned on my phone. I didn't want to. I wanted to live in this oasis for a little longer. I’d check my messages after lunch.
Maybe.
15
"What made you decide to become a cop?" Catalina asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. It just kind of happened. I want to make a difference. I want to leave the world a better place."
"That's noble.”
"Let's just say I have been motivated to do so. Life certainly changed for me after my near-death experience.”
Catalina lifted an intrigued eyebrow. "That sounds interesting.”
Her eyes begged me to continue, and I did. I told her my story about getting shot, technically dying, and getting a second go. That kind of thing will definitely make you re-evaluate your position on a lot of things.
"It seems you've led quite the life, Deputy.”
"I have no complaints. Your life seems quite impressive as well."
She scoffed and rolled her eyes in a cute way. "My life is full of social engagements, materialistic people, and never-ending gossip.”
I laughed. "That's all by choice.”
"I suppose you're right. I don't have to associate with those people. But they buy a lot of jewelry, and as you see, that enables my lifestyle. It allows me to invite strange men to jump out of airplanes.”
I smiled. "Well, there is that.”
“Tell me about your ambitions. What’s on your bucket list?”
At that moment, a bucket list item was seeing her bikini on the floor, but I came up with a more appropriate answer. “I have so many.”
“It doesn’t have to be your number one. Just something on the list. Something surprising.”
I thought for an instant. “Have a family. But that’s down the road. When I walk away from all of this.”
“Can you really walk away from this?”
I smiled. “That’s a good question.”
“What about you?”
“I’ve been playing the violin since I was six. I’m not very good, but I love it. My dream is to see Giovanni Vanetti play. He’s absolutely brilliant. So gifted. He’ll be here in town, playing a special event at the Pavilion. Invitation only for dignitaries and heads of state. I’ve reached out to all of my contacts, trying to get into the event, but no dice. There are some things money can’t buy.”
“You should become a dignitary or a head of state.”
She laughed.
“Thank you again for this morning. I really enjoyed myself.”
Catalina returned my smile. "So did I. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
"I wouldn't be opposed.”
The staff served our gourmet hamburgers. They were tender and juicy, topped with all the fixings. We chowed down and stuffed our faces. It was nice and relaxing. I had almost forgotten what relaxing felt like. JD and I had been going at a pretty good clip. Catalina and I talked about everything and nothing. It seemed effortless.
