Page 67 of Trigger

“Ithought I was clear about Shelly,” I said, trying to remain calm. “Stay awayfrom her. You’re not the right guy for her.”

“I’moffended!” Tye exclaimed. “What’s wrong with me?”

Objectively,there wasn’t one thing wrong with him. Not one. But I still didn’t want himaround her.

“It’sjust that you’re… you’re…” I was trying to think of something.

“What?”

“Promiscuous.”

“Promiscuous?”he said, looking at me in disbelief. “I slept with one girl in the last sixmonths, and it happened six months ago. Before that, I can’t even remember.”

“Idon’t believe you. And why haven’t you?”

Hesnorted. “I don’t know. I was busy. Don’t tell me you have been dating left andright since you became a cop, because we have such a rich social life.”

“Notreally,” I admitted.

“Butplease, do continue,” he mocked. “What else is wrong with me?”

“You’retoo flirty.”

“There’snothing wrong with that. It’s just innocent fun. Everyone knows that about me.”

“You’realso too…” I hesitated. “Handsy.”

Heblinked. “Pardon?”

“Youlike to… For example, you patted Bruce on the shoulder today. You kissedShelly’s forehead before that. And yesterday in my kitchen, you… you huggedme.”

“I’m apeople person! Kind, affectionate, caring. Do these words mean anything to you,you fucking robot?”

“Besides,”I said, glancing at his body. “You’re too big for her.”

“I'mtoo big for her?” he repeated, sounding incredulous.

“Yeah,she’s tiny, and you’re built like a mountain. You would look funny together.”

“LikeVicky and you? She’s, like, one foot shorter than you. My God!”

“You’retoo big,” I said matter-of-factly. “Find someone else.”

“Likewhom?”

Ishrugged.

Heglanced at me, grinning. “By the way, when you say too big, are you referringto the whole of me or just a certain part of my anatomy?”

I madea face as he pulled into a parking lot. “Gross. Why do you have to be sogross?”

“Mydear partner, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Curiosity is a natural thing. Ifyou want to see my d—”

I leftthe car before he could finish the sentence, followed by his laughter. Itserved me right—even talking to him was a bad idea.Thenmy phone rang, and as soon as I saw the number, I knew it would only complicatethings.

“Ralph?What do you have for me?”

“Hey,Carter. Are you interested in someone named Davidoff?”

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