“Uh-huh,” I say. “And don’t you dare,” I say. He does it anyway.
“You shouldn’t have,” he begins, sobbing.
“Rossi,” I say. “I love you. I couldn’t let that collection stay incomplete, and I know you never would have dared.”
“The risk!” he says.
“It’s what I live for, and you’re worth it. I’m glad you’re my friend and that you’re gay, because otherwise I would have to hate you.”
He laughs.
I laugh.
And we just sit there.
Watching the dogs play in the dog run park.
“Did you figure anything out about the monitor?” I then ask.
“There might be a way, but right now it needs some proper prior testing.”
“It’s okay,” I say. “I’m rather enjoying it.”
He looks at me from the corner of his eye.
“Is that a smirk?” he asks.
“She is cute, and I drive her nuts,” I tell him. She’s so reactive; she either shoots or fucks me one day.”
“Love a confident woman,” says Rossi.
Just when I am about to answer, I see a familiar face walking up to us.
“Can’t live without me?” I ask Shaw as she appears in front of me.
“The opposite,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
“Must’ve forgotten it in the car,” I say and tap my pockets. Meanwhile, she eyes Rossi, and then shows him her badge and gestures for him to leave.
Right under the nose has always been the best choice.
“Should we get something to eat, so you don’t run on your coffee addiction and aggressions alone?” I ask her provocatively.
“I don’t have aggressions,” she says.
“So you don’t feel a deep desire in you to strangle me?”
“I’d love nothing more,” she says and clenches her jaw. “However, it turns out you have been quite helpful.”
“Because I am the best,” I say, and she sighs.
“Is there ever a moment when your massive ego doesn’t need constant stroking?”
“Art doesn’t ask for being admired; it’s the perception of the viewer that pedestals it,” I say, fighting the grin.
She bites her jaw so hard I can see it flex.
