Bulletproof

by Maggie Cummings

  “Okay.” Briana dragged out the word, and Dylan heard her put her phone on the countertop. “Not feeling the news. Noted.”

  “I guess I just don’t really care much about a news piece that’s gone viral because of a stupid pun.” She fiddled with the water tap and wiped up a gooey bit of liquid soap that had dripped into the basin.

  “Are you not even going to look at me today?”

  Every muscle in her body was tight. She didn’t want to turn around, and the worst part was that she wasn’t even sure why. Briana nestled against her and hugged her from behind. Dylan was so in her own head that she hadn’t heard Briana dismount the stool or cross the kitchen to her.

  “Please talk to me.”

  “I just”—Dylan shifted to unwind from Briana’s embrace—“I need a minute.”

  “Do you want me to go?”

  Briana looked so hurt that even if the answer was yes, Dylan wouldn’t be able to say it. The problem was she didn’t know what she needed. Or wanted. Space might be helpful to process, to understand, to deal. But she also wanted to be around Briana. Pretty much always. It was a dilemma.

  “In a way, yes. But really, no,” she said, recognizing the distress in her own voice. “I honestly have no idea what I want right now.” She forced out a laugh, but it was mostly an effort to defuse the tension.

  “You want me to stay on the case.” It wasn’t an offer, just Briana verbalizing what they both knew was the truth.

  “Yes.”

  “Dylan, I can’t.” In spite of her words, Briana’s light brush along her forearm was apologetic. “I can answer any questions you have. Maybe put some of your anxiety to rest. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think a lot of your stress over this is just insecurity.”

  Dylan ignored the emotion Briana had tapped into and took aim at practicality. “I want you to stay with the investigation because you’re an amazing prosecutor. And together we’re a great team. Unbeatable.”

  “We are a great team. And it’s sweet of you to say nice things about my skills as a lawyer.” Briana caressed her forearms. “I love hearing you compliment me. I doubt that will ever get old.” She looked utterly sincere. “But, Dylan, I need you to understand that I’m doing this because I want to be with you. Fully and completely. Out and proud. I’m done with whatever this is. Hiding and sneaking around. I want to have a real life with you.”

  It was logic she couldn’t fight. Except Dylan didn’t think being a real couple had to negate their collaborative work effort. “I’m sorry for making it sound like I only care about the case,” she said, knowing how one-dimensional her appeal sounded. She was avoiding the real issue like the plague. “Why JJ?” she finally asked.

  “For real?”

  “Yeah, I’m asking for real.” For the life of her she could not keep the emotion out of her tone. “Why her?”

  “Okay. Well then.” Briana took a step back and leaned on the edge of the stove, crossing her arms, fully on the defensive. “Jill Jessup runs a superior law firm. They’re aggressive, and they challenge the status quo. They’re doing groundbreaking work. It will be good to get out of my comfort zone and grow my experience.” Her shrug said that was reason enough. “And, if I’m being honest, the position comes with quite a substantial raise.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” The whole situation sucked, but that detail stung the most. “That’s what hurts.”

  “I was going to tell you this weekend. The offer wasn’t official until yesterday morning, and I didn’t want to tell you before last night’s operation.” Briana touched her forehead and she looked stressed. “I’m sorry if that was the wrong call, but I’m always so worried about you during these things to begin with. I didn’t want you to be distracted with this too.”

  It made sense. Briana knew she would stew. In a way it was considerate, but she still felt slighted. “But JJ knew. And Stef too.” Dylan sipped her coffee, annoyed that it was already tepid. “Why am I always the last to know?”

  “You’re not. It wasn’t like that. I swear.”

  “I can’t help feeling duped.” It embarrassed her to admit it, but she swallowed the lump in her throat to get it out. “I was so stoked last night. The operation was such a win. You waited at the plant. It felt…special.” Never had she ever allowed herself to be this vulnerable. She felt emotionally stripped. “I guess, I figured you felt it too. Because it was us. Our case. And I thought you were even willing to live on the edge, you know, risk being seen in public together, because it was our night.” She rolled her head and closed her eyes. “Now I know it was only because you knew it was over.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It’s not?” she asked. But it wasn’t a question so much as a challenge for Briana to examine her own motives.

  “When you put it like that, I can see how it might seem that way.” In the moment she took to respond, Briana seemed to consider Dylan’s words. “Dylan…last night…I just wanted to be with you. My amazing, smart, sexy girlfriend.” She brought her steepled hands to her lips and closed her eyes. “That is the absolute truth,” she said. “I suppose the knowledge that I’m leaving the US Attorney’s Office may have subconsciously influenced my choices. I’m sorry for making you feel like it was some kind of calculated move. I would never do that to you.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes. I messed up. Maybe because it all happened so fast. Probably because I was scared about your reaction. But those excuses don’t suffice. I should have told you before it got to this point. I’m sorry.”

  “Come here,” she said, placing her coffee on the counter and pulling Briana close. She couldn’t stay upset. She didn’t want to.

  “Baby.” Briana rested her chin on her chest. “You do understand that this will be good for us, don’t you?”

  In theory Dylan understood. But reality had a way of taking good intentions and turning them upside down. She’d been around long enough to see enough good guys finish last to know so much of life was a gamble.

  “What if JJ offered you a job to, like, get with you?”

  “Get with me?” Briana mocked her outright. “Are we in tenth grade?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh even though Briana dodged the question. “You know what I mean.”

  “If that’s the case, she’s in for a rude awakening.”

  “She is JJ.”

  “Dylan.”

  “Briana.” She mimicked Briana’s gaping mouth but couldn’t keep from laughing at her own dramatic effort. “I’ve seen her in action.”

  “Okay, well.” Briana toyed with the crew neck of her T-shirt, and the pad of her finger brushed against her skin. “Aside from the fact that I believe JJ is interested in my litigation skills and my ability to craft a compelling legal argument, might I remind you that she is dating my roommate.” Briana looked dead serious. “Stef is my best friend. So even though I don’t share your sinister outlook, or your obsession with JJ’s sex life, I want to put your mind at ease.”

  “I am not obsessed with her sex life,” Dylan said through a smile.

  “Shh.” Briana shushed her with a finger as she baby-kissed her face. “You have nothing to worry about.” Her kiss was sweet and seductive. “Even if JJ and Stef weren’t together, it wouldn’t matter. I’m in love with you. Case closed.”

  Hearing those words never hurt. Even if Dylan didn’t have complete faith in JJ, she believed that Briana’s heart was in the right place. She still hated that Briana was leaving the investigation, but she chose to find solace in knowing the decision was rooted in dedication to their future.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Briana straightened the framed photo of Dylan on her desk. It was such a nice change to be able to display her image and to see her gorgeous face anytime she wanted. Sure, it was no substitute for the real thing, but even daily coffee at the plant had stopped once they’d started covert dating officially. Over dinner the other night, she joked to Dylan that she saw her face more now—at l
east during work hours—than when they were working the case together. In response Dylan had forced out a chuckle, but Briana knew she was struggling with the separation.

  “Conference room, ten minutes.” JJ delivered the message with a double tap on her open door.

  “Staff meeting?” she asked.

  JJ didn’t look up from her phone. “Nope. Just a development in the Hyde case I want to discuss.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there.”

  Briana had hit the ground running. She’d devoured the firm’s cases and researched hot-button civil law issues. She made herself available for every opportunity to assist her colleagues and even registered for CLE courses to broaden her professional development. First impressions were important, even if you were tight with the managing partner. All the prep work had her feeling confident and sharp, but her personal life was bearing the brunt.

  Briana touched the picture of Dylan and reached for her phone. I miss you, she texted. Without stopping to overthink it, she followed with another message. How about dinner later at Franny Lew?

  Dylan’s response was quick. What, no midnight oil to burn?

  She winced at the slight jab, even though it was true. The desire to succeed kept her at the office late most nights. My treat, she responded. I know I’ve been an absentee girlfriend lately. Let me make it up to you.

  You did pick my favorite restaurant…

  She could hear Dylan’s defenses drop and it made her relax. I’m no fool, she typed. How about 7?

  Can’t wait.

  Even though the invitation was spur of the moment, Briana was already counting down the minutes. Me too.

  How’s work today?

  She could tell that Dylan was trying to be supportive, and it meant the world to her. Fine. I have a meeting in five. She dropped in the eye roll emoji just to keep it light.

  Daydream about me?

  Always, baby.

  Dylan sent her a smiley face, and she smiled right back at the screen like a smitten teenager as she picked up the Hyde file and headed down the hall to the conference room where JJ was already lecturing an intern.

  “Dennis Hyde called me earlier.” JJ turned to her before she even sat down. “I don’t know why he doesn’t call you. He’s your client now.”

  “He does call me. Pretty much nonstop,” Briana said, as she nodded hello to the intern whose name she didn’t remember.

  “He is a needy little bugger.” JJ swiveled in her chair. “Anyway, to cut straight to the point, Hyde says he has new witnesses who can substantiate his claims against DiNapoli.”

  “Great.” Briana lifted her pen, ready to jot names.

  “There’s one catch.”

  Briana looked up.

  “The witnesses are in Florida and will only talk to us in person.”

  She put her pen down, thinking that this sounded like Dennis Hyde was stringing them along. “What does that mean exactly?”

  “Pack your bags, kid. We’re going to Miami.”

  JJ continued to talk strategy and detailed a fairly comprehensive plan for where she believed there might be an opportunity for a settlement. Briana pitched in with detailed references to similar cases in other jurisdictions. It was a productive meeting as far as Hyde was concerned, but damn if she wasn’t bummed over the Florida news. Not that she minded traveling for good witness depositions. And Miami…hello, fun. But deep down she knew, whether or not anything useful would come from it, a work trip with JJ was not going to sit well with Dylan.

  * * *

  “Sorry I’m late.” Briana sat kitty-corner next to Dylan at a table in the back of the restaurant. “It’s not even my fault. There was a sick passenger on the F train.”

  “It’s all good, babe.” Dylan leaned over and kissed her, and Briana tasted the faint hint of gin and Campari on her lips. “I started without you,” she said, eyeing her drink.

  “I see that.” Briana rubbed Dylan’s thigh and inadvertently grazed her crotch, pleasantly surprised to learn she was packing. With an arched eyebrow she teased, “Someone has high hopes for tonight.”

  “What can I say.” Dylan shrugged but her grin was impish. “I miss you. Like, a lot.”

  It was a sentiment both sweet and sexy, and it hit her right in the heart. And elsewhere, if she was being honest. Between the series of late nights and Dylan’s constantly changing schedule, it had been over a week since they’d spent a night together.

  “We could skip dinner.” Briana was only half kidding. “Go back to your apartment. Order Wilkie’s later…”

  “We could.” Dylan leaned in close and draped her arm over the back of her chair. Briana felt a soft touch on her shoulder. “But I kind of like the anticipation.” She winked. “And it’s nice to be out with you in a crowded restaurant.” Dylan kissed her cheek, and Briana indulged in the singular perk of her career move. “Tell me how it’s going at Jessup Finch other name, other name.” Dylan grinned. “I want to hear everything.”

  “I will.” From the high-end decor to the varied casework and the diverse staff, Briana was ready to spill the tea. She held a finger up, essentially hitting pause on the convo so she could order a glass of wine. “I promise to give you the whole scoop, but first tell me about the undercover op last night.” She registered slight hesitation in Dylan’s expression and edited on the spot. “Not details, obviously. I’m not trying to get info I’m not privy to. But tell me the sexy stuff.” She threw in a shoulder shimmy. “You know…how you were sly and smooth while remaining safe the whole time.”

  “I was sly. And smooth.” Dylan diverted her eyes and looked just shy enough to completely rock her smug air. “And safe.”

  “I know you’re appeasing me, and I appreciate it.”

  “I really was safe, though. I always am.”

  “Thank you for that.” She sampled her chardonnay. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how is O’Rourke doing?”

  Dylan made a so-so gesture with her hand. “Meh.”

  “Give him time,” she said in support of her former colleague. Davis O’Rourke was an acquired taste. “I know he’s all over the place sometimes—”

  “I don’t mind his input, but he doesn’t seem to fully grasp everything. It’s like he’s after the quick hit instead of playing the long game. I don’t know.” Dylan sounded dismayed, but there was really nothing she could do at this point.

  “I pushed really hard for Kenisha Mubarek as my replacement. She’s aggressive and smart.”

  “Eh, still not you.” Dylan took a sip of her drink, and for a second Briana wasn’t sure if the comment was a dig or a compliment. “Everybody misses you.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Not like me.” Dylan traced a finger over her wrist. “Trevor and Shawn and the gang have all been asking about you. Even Trish.”

  “Ugh, Trish.” She made a face even though she was mostly kidding. “Is she still throwing herself at you at every turn?” Even making light of it, Briana felt her chest tighten at the thought.

  “I think she might have a secret thing going on with Shawn.”

  “Really?” Briana nodded into her surprise. “I did not see that coming.”

  “And Trevor got engaged,” Dylan said. “Did I tell you that?”

  “Hold on a second.” Briana waved her hands frantically. “I’m gone three weeks, and there’s a hot new romance and a wedding?”

  “Trevor popped the question last weekend. He just told me and Shawn yesterday.”

  “I love that you guys have this throuple bromance thing happening.”

  “Me, Trevor, and Shawn?” Dylan’s laugh was hearty and sweet.

  “Yes. You three seem to hang out a lot lately. It’s nice.”

  “They’re good guys. I miss you, though.”

  “I know.” She reached for Dylan’s hand. “It won’t always be like this,” she said, even though she was well aware the expectations of private practice were a far cry from punching the government time card. “Tell me about Trevor and Cate
and their proposal,” she said, guiding them back on track. “Wait. Fill me in on Trish and Shawn first. That’s kind of blowing my mind right now.”

  “There’s not much to tell. I’m purely speculating. But I’m picking up a vibe.” Dylan smiled. “Trish is definitely seeing someone.” She continued to voice her analysis out loud. “She has that new relationship energy. Plus she spends half the day making heart eyes at her phone.” Dylan seemed to be assessing the possibilities on the fly. “I don’t know for sure it’s Shawn.”

  “How do you not know? You and Shawn are tight.”

  “He’s quiet about stuff like that. Maybe they’re still figuring it all out,” she offered. “Or maybe I’m wrong.”

  “I bet you’re not.” Briana was genuinely happy for Trish and Shawn, and she offered a tiny toast to the would-be couple before taking a sip of her wine. “To them, if there is a them,” she said with a smile.

  “They’d be cute together, for sure,” Dylan agreed. “I might be way off the mark, though. Still, I like to keep you in the know.” Her wink was positively adorable.

  “Love that about you.” Briana leaned forward for a small kiss. “Speaking of…tell me about Trevor. That’s big news.”

  “Cate’s pregnant. I guess that makes the wedding stuff a little anticlimactic, so they’re going to wait until after the baby’s born to get hitched. But even though the baby wasn’t planned, he’s excited.”

  “That’s great news. You’ll have to congratulate him for me.” Catching up on all the office gossip, Briana couldn’t help but wonder if people had talked about her and Dylan like this. Or if they did still. “Does he, I mean do they…know about us?” she asked. She wasn’t sure it mattered anymore, but she was curious.

  Dylan shook her head. “I haven’t said anything.” She downed the last of her Negroni. “I don’t know how to really bring it up. Plus I don’t want the team to blame me for O’Rourke,” she added with a small laugh. “But mostly I think I’m just holding on to hope that you’ll change your mind and come back.”

  She looked so unbelievably sincere that Briana choked up. “I’m sorry, baby, I can’t.”