Playing With Fire (Sweet Redemption) Read Free Page A

hated taxis. As convenient as they could be, she hated putting her ass on places where hundreds of thousands—perhaps millions—of butts had sat before. She hated the way they were structured like cop cars with their boxy frames and their harsh front/back divisions, and she hated their stupid colors.
    Still, she didn’t know what she’d do without them at times.
    As she stood on the sidewalk, about to put her best flagging arm forward, a voice said:
    “Need a lift?” A husky voice that had become somewhat familiar.
    Janet briefly turned to look in its direction.
    “I’ve got this, thank you,” she said, trying more desperately to get a taxi’s attention.
    “Come on—we’re partners now right? How would it look if I just let you rely on a stranger to get you home safely?”
    “ You’re a stranger.”
    “True, but less so than that Eritrean guy about to pull up, no?”
    Janet had no comeback.
    “Fine,” she said. “I appreciate it...partner.”
    They walked over to his car.
    As they came upon it, lights flashing from the remote unlock, Janet couldn’t help assessing his choice of vehicle, combing through the implications—making more of her new partner with his choice: a solid, practical silver sedan. Newer model.
    Nothing flashy or expensive, or even mid-priced. Just...solid—a brand well-known for its reliability, yet the better looking of the models.
    He opened her door for her and she slid in, mumbling a “thanks.”
    As they pulled up to her condo, she found herself asking:
    “Wanna come in for a drink?” as a sort of joke—certainly not as something she thought he would actually take her up on.
    “Yeah I would, thanks,” he replied, and Janet panicked.
    “What am I saying?” she said. “I can’t have you drinking, then driving. I was just trying to...”
    “I know,” he said. His eyes twinkled as if he had been pulling her leg all along. “I appreciate it.”
    Janet felt bad for taking back her offer, but she didn’t know this guy! All she knew was that someone had found him, and thought they’d be a good fit as coworkers.
    “Well, someday perhaps, after a long day of brainstorming some aspect of our project, and my best friend has left me without a ride again.”
    She smiled at him.
    For once, he seemed to have lost his perpetual grin.
    “I look forward to working with Janet,” he said as she got out.
    “Likewise,” she replied, enjoying the feel of power for once. She closed his door, waved, then headed to her house.
    ***
    Janet opened her door, flipped on the light, then gasped in amazement.
    The room was filled with flowers: the reds, pinks, creams and whites of roses and carnations.
    She didn’t even think about where they’d come from, so struck was she by their beauty.
    Then David emerged from the floral display.
    “Jan, listen to me...”
    “Really David? Really? I’m going to have you charged with breaking and entering—you need to turn in all the keys you have to my place David.” Better yet, she would just change the locks. Clearly that was the only way to keep him out.
    Part of her wished she had let Eric come in after all; she felt less and less safe around David.
    How had he done all of this so quickly? she wondered. She’d only been gone three hours!
    “Jan,” he said, coming toward her, and she backed up until her shoulder blades connected with the door.
    He grabbed her hands.
    “I love you,” he said.
    “Do you? Is that what you call it when you start seeing someone behind my back? Someone you told Liz was your sister when she spotted you? Someone I have photos of you kissing not like a sister at all? Is it love for me you feel when you’re banging her? Look, just get out of here, I’m serious—I don’t ever want to see you again, and nothing you say is going to change that!”
    Her heart beat faster as she felt more and more claustrophobic trapped between him and the door. She turned to twist out of the confined space, attempting to wrench her