Page 19 of Detective Daddy Next Door

"I don't want to be an adult right now. Will you come back today?"

"I will."

"How?"

"It's magic."

She giggles and nods.

"I'll bring something for you, okay?"

She shrugs. "I'll be asleep when you come home."

"And I'll save it for you. You'll see it tomorrow."

"Okay."

She hops down from the bed, and I look at myself in the mirror again before leading her out to meet Garcelle in the living room.

A few minutes later, I'm pressing on Bria's doorbell. It's funny, because I feel like I'm coming to pick up a girlfriend—which is what I'm doing, but not really. After the second ring, she appears at the door. She has on a short silver dress, one that hugs her body perfectly. I pull my stare from her face down to her feet. She has on equally silver shoes, heels with peep toes. She has white polish coating her nails. I pull my gaze back up and my eyes rest briefly on her cleavage. Snippets of her bare breasts flash in my mind's eye.

She clears her throat.

"Are you ready?"

She doesn't answer, but steps out of her house, clutching a bag to her side.

"Alright," I say.

We walk toward my car. She makes to open the back door.

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

She scowls. "Do what?"

"Sit in the back. How do you think it'll look if we're supposed to be dating and we arrive with you sitting in the back?”

She raises her shoulders and drops them. "I don't think that'll mean anything."

"Oh, it will. Trust me."

She squints her eyes as if she's fighting a battle inside of her. Then she opens the door to the passenger seat. When we are settled, I ignite the engine and we set out. With Bria giving directions, we arrive fifteen minutes later.

"Wow, this place is huge," I say. "It's said that a person is innocent until proven guilty, but…”

Bria doesn't say anything, but goes to open the car door.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come get the door for you?"

"No," she answers sharply, and gets out of the car.

Cars are pulling up and the driveway is teeming with people making their way in. As we walk up the cobbled pathway bordered by flowers, I stretch and take Bria's hand in mine. She tries to protest.

"This is what couples do."

"We're not a couple."

I sigh. "We're supposed to be. And keep your voice down. Someone might hear you."

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