by RJ Nolan
Riley’s hands tightened around the menu as her mind filled with images of Sam confronting the gang members on her own.
“Riley? Are you okay? You’re pale as a sheet all the sudden.” Sam’s warm hand wrapped around her ice-cold one clutching the menu. “Did you eat earlier like you promised?”
Shaking away the disturbing images, Riley met Sam’s concerned gaze and forced a smile. “I’m fine. It was really nice of you to do that for them.”
Sam shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. The food’s great. I’d come in once a week even if there hadn’t been a problem. I don’t expect anything in return, but they insist I’m part of the family.”
Might not be a big deal to you, but I bet it means a lot to them. Riley opened her menu. “So, what’s your favorite dish?”
Without hesitation, Sam said, “The Kung Pao chicken. I love spicy food.”
“I do too.” Riley perused the menu’s many choices. Unable to decide, she looked up, and her gaze strayed to the small sushi bar along the wall opposite them. From what she could see, the selections looked varied and fresh. “Would you mind if I gave the sushi a try?”
“Of course not,” Sam said, even managing not to grimace. “Go ahead and order whatever you want.”
Riley smiled. Knowing what she did now, she was still amazed that Sam had eaten the sushi she’d brought for their first lunch.
Once their food was served, Riley used her chopsticks to pick up a rice pad with the tako held in place by a thin strip of nori. The sharp bite of wasabi mixed with the sweet aroma of the tako filled her senses. “This is really excellent.” She popped the delectable piece into her mouth. “We’re going to have to come back here again. This puts the place I usually go to shame.”
“Really?” Sam tipped her head and regarded her as if trying to judge her sincerity.
“I’m not just saying that.” She reached for another piece. “This is outstanding.”
Sam smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to try a piece? You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I’ll pass.” Sam’s lips twitched. “No offense, but I prefer my food without little suckers all over it.”
“It doesn’t have suckers on it.”
Sam eyed the octopus as if she expected it to crawl off Riley’s plate at any moment. “It did before he cut it up.”
Riley laughed at the look on Sam’s face. “Okay.” She ate the last piece of tako, savoring the taste. “You’re safe. It’s gone.”
Sam mock-scowled. “Very funny.” She reached across the table and briefly pressed Riley’s hand. “Seriously, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. My Kung Pao chicken is good too.” She turned her plate so the remaining portion on it was within Riley’s reach. “Want to try a bite?”
The enticing aroma of chicken and red peppers wafted across the table. Temptation to try the spicy dish warred with years of her aunt’s ingrained rules. Offering Sam a piece of sushi had pushed the boundary of propriety; actually taking food from someone’s plate, in public no less, was just not done. Those are her rules, not yours. Mentally stiffening her spine, she helped herself to a bite from Sam’s plate. The mingled flavors of the dish erupted on her taste buds, and she hummed with pleasure. A brief flash of heat followed. “Oh wow. That’s good.”
“Have another bite.”
Riley wiped her fork on a napkin. She peered at Sam, then down at the plate.
Sam pushed it a little closer. “You know you want to.”
It was easier the second time. “Okay, just one more.” She scooped another forkful of chicken and hot peppers. Relishing the taste, she resisted the urge to take another bite. “On second thought, maybe I’ll order that next time.”
“I’ll guess we’ll just have to come back more than once.”
“I’d like that a lot.” Riley’s heart lifted. She had wondered if their time together would come to an end now that Sam was finished with therapy. The thought had bothered her more than she cared to admit. What had started out as concern motivated by guilt had turned into the beginnings of a friendship. She met Sam’s gaze. “I’m going to miss our lunches.” She snagged a piece of sushi from the assortment in front of her.
Sam’s smile dimmed. “Me too.” She brightened. “But maybe if my partner and I get stuck babysitting someone in the ER, I can stop by and say hi.”
The mention of Sam returning to work chased away Riley’s appetite. Her chopsticks clattered onto the table.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s—”
“Don’t do that,” Sam said. “Something’s bothering you all the sudden.”
Riley ducked her head, struggling with her emotions.
“Please tell me.” Sam reached across the table and placed a gentle finger underneath Riley’s chin, urging her to look up.
One look into Sam’s concerned face, and Riley couldn’t deny her. “I just… It seems kind of soon for you to be returning to work. You’re barely out of rehab and just stopped using a cane today. What if…?” She couldn’t bring herself to voice her fears. The image of Sam’s blood seeping into the floor and covering her hands as she worked to save her rose far too easily in her mind.
“What if what?” Sam’s brow furrowed. “Oh.” She took Riley’s hands in hers. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Riley pulled her hands free and clenched them together in her lap. Tears stung the back of her eyes. “How can you say that after what happened?”
“Hey.” Sam slid out of her side of the booth and over into Riley’s. She lightly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That was a fluke. I’ve been on the force almost nine years. That’s the first time I’ve had more than a few scrapes or bruises.”
Riley gazed up at Sam, staring deeply into her eyes. Is she telling the truth?
As if Sam had heard the question, she said, “I swear.”
“I just…” Get yourself together. You’re making a fool of yourself. The urge to bolt was strong, but the need to accept the comfort Sam was offering was stronger. She leaned against Sam and rested her head on her chest for a moment. Pulling away, she blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. That’s twice I’ve embarrassed you in public. It’s a wonder you want to be seen with me.” She glanced at several nearby tables, but no one was paying them the least bit of attention.
“I told you before. I’m not embarrassed.” Sam gave her a one-armed hug. “I appreciate your concern, but please don’t worry. I’m not ready to go back to full duty yet. I’ll be on desk duty.”
Relief washed over Riley.
“But even when I do go back to the streets, I promise you have nothing to worry about.” Sam grinned. “I’m good at what I do.” Her expression turned serious. “And I’m always careful.”
I don’t doubt that, but you’ll never convince me not to worry. Not after what I’ve seen.
“Is everything all right?” Mary asked as she approached their table.
Riley flushed and resisted the impulse to hide her face against Sam’s shoulder. If Aunt Margaret could see me, she would be having a stroke about now.
Sam gave her shoulder a squeeze and returned to her own side of the booth. “Yeah. Can we get some more tea? And please bring some more of those,” she glanced at Riley, “what did you call them, tako?”
“No. That’s okay; you don’t have to do that. I’ve had enough.”
Sam waved away her protest. “Those tako sushi things.”
Mary bowed, then hurried away before Riley could lodge any further protests.
Neither spoke as they waited for Mary. When she brought the tea and sushi, they busied themselves with their interrupted meal.
Riley willingly let the topic of Sam’s return to work drop.
Finally, Sam pushed away her empty plate and fiddled with her fork for a moment. “I was wondering. If you’re off this weekend, would you like to go see a movie or something?”
Thrilled at the pr
ospect of spending time together, Riley smiled. “That would be—” Then she remembered, and her shoulders slumped. “I wish I could, but I have to go to LA.”
Sam looked as disappointed as Riley felt.
She didn’t want Sam to think she was making excuses not to see her. “One of the philanthropic endeavors my aunt is involved with is having a charity gala that provides art school scholarships to underprivileged students. It’s a yearly event, and I’m expected to attend.”
“Sounds like a worthy cause.”
While it was a good cause, Riley always felt if they would just give the money they spent on the gala to the art schools, it would provide even more scholarships. “It is. I’m just not a fan of all the pretentious posturing that goes on at these things. My aunt and uncle love it.” She shook her head and laughed. “They actually are the snobs you thought I was.”
Sam flushed.
“I’ve been going to these galas since I was a twelve, but believe me, it’s not my idea of a fun evening.”
Sam leaned forward. “What is your idea of a fun evening?”
Riley spread her hands wide, encompassing both of them. “This has been fun.”
Smile lines appeared at the corner of Sam’s eyes. “What else?”
“Well…honestly, other than going to the gym at my condo or an occasional dinner out, I spend all my time working.” Heat crept up Riley’s neck at how pathetic that sounded.
That admission seemed to stymie Sam for a moment. “Okay. How about this? What’s something you remember enjoying as a child that you haven’t done in years?”
It had been a long time since she had allowed free rein to the memories of her time with her parents. She had spoken about her parents more to Sam in the last two weeks than she had anyone in years. Her aunt and uncle had strongly discouraged her from speaking of the past, insisting that she move on with her new life with them. She racked her brain, trying to remember her life before her aunt had attempted to shape Riley in her own image. She smiled as the memories filled her mind. “Going to a baseball game. I haven’t been to a game since my folks died.”
Sam’s expression fell. “The Padres’ last game of the season is this weekend.”
Riley tried not to let her disappointment show. “Maybe next year.”
Sam hesitated, then seemed to come to a decision. “Does it have to be a professional baseball game?”
“I guess not. What did you have in mind?”
“I belong to a women’s softball league. My team is mostly made up of cops from various precincts. Our final game of the season is next Saturday. I can’t play, but we could still go to the game. What do you think? Would you be interested in going with me?”
It was Riley’s turn to hesitate. Was she ready to face Sam’s fellow officers and friends? “Are you sure I’d be welcome?”
“Why wouldn’t you be?”
Riley ducked her head. “I’m the one who almost got you killed.”
“Riley,” Sam blew out an exasperated breath, “we’ve been over this. You did no such thing. None of my fellow officers would blame the victim for what a perpetrator did.”
Pushing away the guilt, Riley smiled. “Then yes. I’d like to go to your game.”
“Good. Maybe we could go out to eat afterward?”
“We could always come back here.”
Mary returned to the table. The small bill tray she set down had two fortune cookies on it.
Sam stared at the tray, then scowled. “Mary,” she said, an edge to her voice.
Riley realized there was no bill on the tray.
Looking guilty, Mary reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out the bill.
“Thank you,” Sam said.
Mary gave a slight bow, then turned to Riley. “I hope you enjoyed your meal. Please come back.”
“It was wonderful. Thank you.” She smiled at Sam. “And I’ll definitely be back.”
Another customer called Mary away.
Sam picked up the tray. “Choose your fortune.”
Riley’s hand hovered over the cookies. She reached for the one nearest her, then changed her mind and selected the other one. She removed the cellophane, broke open the cookie, and pulled out her fortune.
“What’s it say?” Sam asked.
Riley looked down at the slip of paper and then read it aloud. “A pleasant surprise is in store for you.”
“Oh. Lucky you.” Sam opened her cookie and read her fortune. “A beauty is a woman you notice, a charmer is a woman who notices you.”
I should’ve gotten that one. “Oh well. Guess they can’t all be relevant.”
Sam’s lips twitched as if she was repressing a smile, but she didn’t comment.
“Anyway, thank you for dinner,” Riley said. “Maybe we can catch lunch together next week.”
“You’re welcome. And that would be great.”
As they slid from the booth and prepared to leave, Sam stopped and stared down at her for a moment.
Riley checked her clothing to make sure she hadn’t spilled anything on herself. She didn’t see anything.
It seemed as if Sam wanted to say something, but she pressed her lips together and remained silent.
Together they walked out to the parking lot and stopped by Riley’s car.
“About the softball game next Saturday,” Sam said. “How about I pick you up?”
“Sure,” Riley said. “What time?”
“I’ll come get you at two. Game’s at three, so that should give us plenty of time to get to Poway. Um…one other thing. The ball field gets kind of dusty, and the wooden bleachers there are kind of old.” Sam cleared her throat. “It’s just that your clothes are really nice, and I wouldn’t want to see them get messed up.” She glanced away and shuffled her feet before meeting Riley’s eyes.
Riley looked at her clothes. A little dirt wouldn’t hurt them. What was Sam getting at?
“Well, um…you might want to wear something else, maybe jeans and sneakers or something like that.”
Oh. Riley glanced at Sam’s clothes. She had not really thought about it, but now she realized that compared to most of the customers dressed similar to Sam in a casual shirt and jeans, she had probably stuck out like a sore thumb in her linen blouse and tailored dress slacks.
“Sure I can do that.” As soon as I call Paula and get her to shop for a pair of jeans. She hoped her personal shopper didn’t faint dead away when she told her what she wanted.
Chapter 25
Sam’s anxiety rose as the elevator hummed toward Riley’s tenth-floor condo. She barely resisted the urge to pace as if confined to a cage, which was what the elevator felt like at the moment. I hope I don’t end up regretting this. The more she thought about it, the more unsure she became about taking Riley to the game. Her friends could be a boisterous, rowdy bunch, and she was willing to bet Riley wasn’t used to that kind of behavior. Then, there were all the questions her bringing Riley to the game was sure to garner since she had never shown up at a game with a woman. The elevator doors slid open.
Sam dragged her feet as she made her way to Riley’s door. I should’ve canceled at lunch on Friday. But Riley had been so excited about going to the game, Sam hadn’t had the heart to disappoint her. She rapped lightly on the front door, knowing Riley was waiting for her. The guard at the front desk had insisted on calling Riley before allowing her access to the elevator.
The door opened immediately. “Hi, Sam.” Riley eyed Sam’s jersey. “You’re not playing—right?”
“I wish. Just supporting my team, even if I can’t play.”
Riley smiled. “Just let me grab my keys, and I’ll be right with you.”
“Okay.” Sam’s gaze dropped to Riley’s denim-clad ass as she walked away. Her libido pinged in Riley’s direction. Knock it off. She raked her hands through her hair. I just need to get laid. It’s been too long.
When Riley returned, Sam took a closer look at her clothes. They looked new—too new. Toned arms s
howed below the short sleeves of a deep green V-neck knit shirt, and form-fitting, dark blue jeans accentuated Riley’s boyish physique. Her shoes looked like some type of designer sneakers, without a mark on them.
Crap. She bought new stuff because of what I said about her clothes. Should have kept my big mouth shut. It hadn’t occurred to her that Riley might not own a pair of jeans or at least something that wasn’t dress slacks. She just hadn’t wanted her to ruin her good clothes.
Riley ran her hands down the front of her jeans. “Is something wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“What?” Sam flushed. “No. You just look different than I’ve seen you before.”
A frown creased Riley’s brow.
“But good,” Sam added quickly.
Riley crossed her arms. Her lips pressed into a thin line, she glanced down at her clothes.
“We should get going.” Sam tugged at the hem of her jersey. “It can be crowded at the games, and I want to get a good seat.”
Riley nodded, followed Sam into the hall, and locked the door.
An awkward silence accompanied them as they rode the elevator to the ground floor.
Sam racked her brain for something to say while they walked the short distance to her car. She had told the valet she would be right back and not to park it.
Sam tipped the valet and nudged him out of the way before he could open the car door for Riley. She opened the door, bowed at the waist, then offered her hand. “Your carriage awaits, my lady.” She got the smile she was hoping for. After closing Riley’s door, she went around to the driver’s side and slid into the car. “Ready to watch some softball?”