Scottsdale Squeeze: a romantic light-hearted murder mystery (Laura Black Mysteries Book 2) Read Free Page A

problem?”
    “Our schedules never seem to match up. He works days and I keep working nights on the cheating spouse patrol. Plus, he’s been working a lot of undercover and surveillance assignments, which always seem to chew up our weekends.”
    From the look on her face, I could see Sophie was unimpressed with my explanation. Truth was I was unimpressed with it too. Even after we had spent an amazing night together, about two months ago, Reno still hadn’t warmed up to me in the way I had been hoping. We still see each other but I can constantly feel the distance between us. I’ve told myself I’ll bring up the subject and push him one way or the other but the timing never seems to be right. When we’re together, I don’t want to cause a fight.
    “How are you in bed?” Sophie asked, a look of concern was suddenly on her face. “A lot of guys judge a woman by that, you know. Are you good enough to keep his interest up? Does he view your sexual style as both adventurous and playful? I read an article on Yahoo saying a woman’s sexual style should be both adventurous and playful to make her man happy. For most guys, playful usually means blow jobs and adventitious means sex in parking lots. For me, being playful is more about him taking me shopping two or three times before anything good happens.”
    “Oh, that’s so not true,” I said. “You’ve gone to bed with plenty of guys on the second date or even the first date.”
    “Well, sometimes. But only if it feels like true love. If it’s true love, I sorta can’t help myself.”
    “True love? More like if he’s bought you a couple of drinks.”
    “It’s not my fault drinking makes me horny. I like men, what can I say?”
    “Folder?” I said, holding out my hand.
    “Actually, I’m surprised you’ve even gotten this far with Reno. I didn’t think he’d ever want to see you again after what you did to him the first time.”
    “Hey, you know most of that wasn’t my fault. Do you have the folder or not?”
    “Well, what about that mafia guy, Maximillian?” I know he has the hots for you. Milo says he talks about you all the time. I bet a few dates with Max could make the waiting for Reno to come around a little less painful.”
    “Milo? I thought you dropped him.”
    “Well, I did. But, I’ve sort of picked him up again. His underworld ranking is only henchman, not lieutenant, like yours, but he’ll do for the moment. You know what I’m thinking? You and Maximillian could double date with Milo and me. We’re going to the Rhythm Room on Friday. It’d be fun to all go together.”
    “Aren’t you forgetting I’m already dating a cop and Max is an underworld crime figure?”
    “Well, yes, but no man’s perfect. Besides, you’re only kind of dating a cop. The way I see it, Maximillian may be a crime lord in training but he has a great smile and the nicest butt. Looking at it reminds me a little of Ashton Kutcher’s butt.”
    “Ashton Kutcher? What happened to Jon Bon Jovi?” I asked. “I thought he had your ideal butt.”
    “Well sure, Bon Jovi has the best classic ass , but the other night I was watching an old Two-and-a-Half Men episode. You know, it’s the first time I got a peak at Ashton Kutcher’s butt. It was network so I didn’t get a good peak. But now I’m thinking about watching some of his old movies. Tonight, I’ll look on Netflix and see if he’s in any rated R. Maybe I’ll get a better look at it.”
    “Folder?” I said, and again held out my hand.
    Sophie found the folder and handed it to me.
    I took the file back to my desk, flipping through it as I walked. I looked it over for about five minutes then walked back up to Sophie’s desk.
    “Are you sure this is a real assignment? This looks like a missing person. Shouldn’t this go to the police or at least a private investigator, like a real one? Besides, if we really are doing this, Gina usually gets the missing person cases. She has the actual training on