Page 50 of Red Snow

“Oh shit! You and Brandi still going strong?”

“We were never going strong to begin with, but she’s still texting, if that’s what you mean.”

“Sure. Good, now I don’t have to feel bad about you being all lonely after work while I go kick it with Yolanda,” Marcus says.

“Oh please, you know you’ve never had to worry about me being lonely after work. You wish you still had my life, but you’re falling right into the commitment trap. Are you in love with this girl, Marcus?”

“I don’t know, man, mind your business,” he replies with a big smile. That’s all the answer I need. “So, you’re going to hang with Brandi tonight?”

“I don’t know. Oh, I forgot she texted again.” I take out my phone and look at the second text now that it’s safe.

Brandi:I’m about to get off. Netflix and chill?

“When girls say Netflix and chill, what does that really mean?” I ask Marcus.

“It means start a movie or a show and then don’t finish it because you start fucking.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured. Well, that’s what Brandi wants to do tonight. Netflix and chill and fuck.”

“Nice. Okay, just try not to be late in the morning after all your Netflix and fucking.”

Me:I’m down.

On my way back to the house, I think about how the day went. It was a good one. When I started the day, we didn’t have a number one suspect, but at the end of the day, Jeffrey Lee Chapman is our guy. I remember the look on his face, and I’m convinced he’s the one. Something about him just wasn’t right. I don’t know what it is, but we’re going to find out, and I can’t wait to get started in the morning. With Danielle calling Judge Bartow herself about the warrant, we should have it by the time we come in in the morning. Even though Danielle is crazy, I know she’ll make the warrant happen fast.

Yep, it was a great day, and as I turn the corner onto the street leading up to my apartment, I know my night is going to be great too. Because in my parking lot, getting out of her white Nissan Maxima, is Brandi Gianni, holding takeout from Olive Garden and a bottle of champagne.