Page 24 of Lethal Seduction

"You’re thirty-five years old. You’ve accomplished a lot already in your life and you’re ready to settle down. Right?" He takes his eyes off the road long enough to stare me down, eyebrows raised into two perfectly peaked arches.

It’s my turn to remain silent as I turn away from him and look out the window. The traffic has lightened quite a bit, and I watch as cars pass us at speeds no one would be going if we were in a marked patrol vehicle.

"Michael," he says. "Once you’re honest with yourself about what you’re looking for in a relationship… you’ll start attracting the right kind of people. I know it was that way with me."

I snicker. "You met your wife at the club… didn’t you?"

"I didn’t say you should join a church, man." He shakes his head. "What I’m trying to say is if you’re looking for a partner, someone to settle down with, maybe adopt some children…"

"Hey," I say. "I never said anything about wanting kids."

He laughs. "I know. I know. But you get what I’m trying to tell you… right?"

"If you’re telling me that I need to open myself up more, be more honest with myself, and stop dating losers, then yep. I hear you loud and clear."

Joe pulls the car into the club parking area and turns off the engine. "I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re still trying to make light of this, but I want you to know I hope one of these days to see you happy. To find what I know you’ve been looking for… which is your forever person."

Finding my forever. I do like the sound of that. Not going to lie to myself anymore, that's for sure. Life is too damn short and I’m tired of the dating scene. Looking over at Joe, I can tell this hasn't been the easiest conversation to bring up, but he looks relieved to have said something that’s clearly been weighing on his mind. Maybe he’s worried I’ll end up a bitter old man who yells at his children, or breaks a hip chasing down neighbor kids for being on my lawn. Am I really that unhappy?

"Joe," I say as we get out of the car.

He turns to me. "Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Talking to me about this. I know you are my partner, but I kind of feel like we're brothers now. Which is something I've not had in my life before—someone I could talk to unconditionally. Truly be myself around."

"I'm glad I could help." He shuts the car door. "Not going to lie though. After I tell my wife we've had this conversation, she'sgoing to start searching for the perfect guy for you. If you get an invitation to dinner at our house… you've already been warned."

"Wait," I say. "Hold off on that. Let Susan know I am more than happy to have her play matchmaker, but I've got someone I'm taking to the Lady Dame concert this weekend."

"Oh?" He wags his eyebrows at me.

"Yeah, I met him at the coffee shop the other day."

"Nice," he says. "So, someone decent and not on one of those hookup apps? Not that I'm judging you."

I laugh. "Of course you're not."

"What's this guy's name? Do I need to run a background check on him?"

If I was Joe, I would have been the same way. No way would I have let my partner and friend out on the town without checking the guy… or gal, out first.

"Honestly, I don't know his last name."

"Huh?"

"Right? I'm trying things differently this time. Can't keep doing the same old thing and expecting a different result. That'd be crazy… or so I'm told."

Joe nods, and I can tell he's thinking about what I've said for a few moments. "I'm looking forward to a full report when you get back from the concert. Honestly, I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks, man." I shut my car door. "Shall we go inside and solve a murder?"

"Let's do this," he says and starts hoofing it toward the front entrance.

As we walk side by side up the drive to the Who's Your Caddy Country Club, I pat Joe on the belly. "I know I'm six months older than you, but we have to do something about this tire you're growing around your waist."

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