Definitely Naughty by Jo Leigh Page B

for one.”
    “Want a ride?”
    “Sure.”
    They talked about one of their current cases on the drive over. Liam had never felt this relaxed with Rogers before. Maybe it was because while Liam was paying attention to the conversation as they’d inched along through traffic, Aubrey lingered in the back of his mind. Scattered thoughts about tonight. About how he’d picked up a coconut cake at the market this morning because he’d finally been invited to her apartment. He wasn’t sure why she’d asked him over, especially this close to Christmas. Her roommates would be there, she’d told him that much, but she’d seemed nervous. It was a step up the dating ladder, if he could call what they did dating. Hell, the personalized Christmas tree, now meeting her friends. Maybe he should think about inviting her to his folks’ holiday brunch.
    He definitely needed a drink.
    “So,” Rogers said after they parked and were walking to the bar, “you decided to lift your ban on this hole in the wall, huh?”
    Liam slowed at the question. He hadn’t realized anyone had noticed his reluctance to go to the White House. Rogers probably wasn’t the only one, either. Shit, no wonder Tony Ricci was so smug. “Yeah,” Liam said, keeping it casual. “Tonight’s for Bigalow. Besides, I have plans so I won’t be staying long.”
    “Good for you. Life shouldn’t be all about the job.”
    Funny that Rogers should say that. Just this morning Liam had been thinking the same thing. Although he’d also wondered if his feelings for Aubrey had more to do with the thrill of their agreement than anything else. He had no idea how he would feel if they’d met under normal circumstances.
    He definitely would have been attracted to her no matter what, but he doubted he would have considered getting into a serious relationship with her. Thank goodness for that mysteriously appearing trading card. He’d have hated to miss this.
    Once inside, he spotted a couple of detectives from the 18 th already at the old mahogany bar. He recognized a number of other cops and support personnel from their precinct. A few badge bunnies were circulating, looking hopeful.
    He even saw the waitress Tony’d been so infatuated with, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Everybody needed to just get over it already.
    Bigalow entered the building to a smattering of shouts, and the crowd waiting for drinks cleared a path for him. He’d announced his retirement today, hence the round. The official party would take place after his last day. Liam didn’t know Bigalow well, but his record was good and even though he’d called Liam Ridiculous, he’d never belittled the work.
    Rogers handed Liam a glass and they headed for their precinct’s section of the bar. It was an informal setup, several tables, a booth, a bunch of chairs. Nothing special, but it was far away from the jukebox so at least it wasn’t too noisy.
    Ricci was already sitting in the booth, and while he didn’t break into song when he caught sight of Liam, he didn’t look as if he was itching for trouble, either. Stan waved Liam and Rogers over to a couple of empty chairs. Even before they sat down Stan looked up at Liam. “I gotta know, Flynn. Was that your girlfriend?”
    Flynn . That was a surprise. “Kind of,” he said.
    “How do you kind of have a girlfriend?”
    “Long story. She’s…not easy to pin down.”
    “She sure as hell tore Ricci a new one. That seems pretty pinned down to me.”
    A quick look at the booth told Liam that Ricci did not appreciate the topic. “Yeah, she’s something, all right.”
    “Whatever she is,” Rogers said, “if she’s the reason that big stick has come out of your ass, you hold on to her.”
    Liam put his beer down. Rogers was just full of illuminating information tonight. Stick up his ass? For trying to get a modicum of respect from his coworkers? As if he was the one at fault for their juvenile bullying—he stopped that thought right there.