Page 46 of Lethal Seduction

"So, not in a public bathroom."

"Exactly," I say. "I think since he's a cop and all, he made me nervous and I came up with some ridiculous standards… which I'm totally fine with, but have never lived by. Not to mention, we still didn't get to have sex."

"Why the hell not?"

"He got an important call from work and had to go," I say with a sigh. "Tina?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm kind of scared to get hurt. Michael is a super awesome man, and I really dig him, but what if I let myself truly and madly fall in love, and he breaks up with me?"

"Patrick," Tina says. "Snap out of it. The better question is what is he going to do if you were to break up with him? Stop thinking that everyone is going to leave you. You're the catch here."

At first, I dismiss her words. She's just saying that because we're best friends. But then, I start to let them sink in. Maybe she's right? I am a catch. I need to stop being so scared of being abandoned. It's preventing me from letting myself enjoy a good thing when it comes along.

Still, there's something nagging at the back of my brain. An annoying voice that sounds a lot like my mom. Be careful.Protect your feelings. Men are awful, and they don't care about those they hurt. Granted, she'd been married and divorced eight times by my high school graduation, but her words still plague me no matter how much I try to ignore them.

I check the time on my watch. "We'd better get going."

"Oh shit," she says. "I didn't realize it was so late. I still want to stop and get another coffee before we go to work."

Pulling my bag from the floor, I begin rummaging through the first and then second zippered pockets. Where are my keys? My heart races. How could I have lost my keys? And then I remember my badge was still missing. Something wasn’t adding up right here and my stomach tightens. “What the fuck?"

"Bestie? You okay?"

"No, my keys and work badge are missing." I pull open the large, zippered area and yank out everything and toss it on the floor. "Shit... they're gone."

We both stare at the bag in silence.

"Could you have left them in the car?" Tina asks.

I shake my head. "No, my car wouldn't lock and beep if I try and lock it without taking my keys out first." I start shoving all my belongings back into the pack. "I distinctly remember putting them in here."

"Is it possible they were stolen? Maybe when we both went down to collect our arrows at the end of the lane?"

"Maybe," I say. Then it dawns on me. "I left the bag unattended when I went to look for you by the concession stand. Someone must have gone through my stuff and stolen them."

"Why? Is your wallet gone? Your phone?"

I hold up my wallet. "Nope, I've got this right here, and my phone is in my pocket." I pat my leg just to be sure.

"I don't see what good keys are without knowing where they belong." She looks out the car window and points. "Your car isright over there. You'd think whoever took the keys would have stolen the car too."

Nodding, my head is spinning. None of this makes any sense. "Although, with my work badge, they have my name and where I work." I shiver. "This whole thing creeps me out."

"Not to mention your apartment was broken into just the other day."

"Fuck," I whisper. "I hadn't even thought of that."

"Better call your boyfriend and let him know. Maybe he can come stay with you? Keep you safe?"

"First of all, he's not my boyfriend... at least not yet. But I think it's wise to at least let him know." I cross my arms and sit back into the chair. "You don't happen to have copies of my keys on you... do you?"

"I sure do, bestie." She opens her purse and pulls out a full set of keys. "Front door, mailbox, and car."

Relief washes over me. Even though I'll have to change my locks and be scared every time I set foot in my apartment until I do, at least I can use my vehicle and get to and from work. "Thank you. You're a lifesaver."

We air-kiss before I get out of her car. "I'll see you at work."

---