CHAPTER EIGHT

Annie dove into her seafood plate with relish as Iris dully picked at her salad. She had no appetite and was struggling with wondering how this time alone with Annie was going to proceed.

"So how long have you known Captain Brass?" Iris started the conversation, trying to sound chit-chatty. She looked speculatively at the exceedingly attractive woman seated across from her. This was not going to be easy her heart said.

"Jimmy and I worked for the same police department back east in Jersey. We've known each other several years. I think you should know right off that we're more than just friends." Annie said frankly.

"He has alluded that the relationship you shared was intimate," Iris responded quietly.

"Okay, let me get to the point. I have a chance here to resume something I had that was amazingly special and I intend to see it through. I've no wish to hurt you, Iris, but you need to understand that I take no prisoners here. Have you been with him? I need to know where you two stand with each other," Annie said, her voice even and controlled.

"No, we haven't been together as you have. We've been dating these last few months and this has been an amazingly special time for me as well," Iris replied, her voice catching just a little.

"You mean you haven't slept with him? Why not? I should tell you what you're missing. Jimmy's especially good in the loving department!" Annie found herself laughing, not spitefully, but out of disbelief.

Feeling what dignity she had being shredded, Iris looked directly at Annie. "Please don't. Yes, I've wondered what it would be like and more than I would readily admit to a stranger but as we have him common I will not regret saying I've desired him greatly."

"You still haven't said why you haven't slept with him," Annie persisted.

"Because I'm in love with him," Iris said simply but honestly.

"Does he know you're in love with him? You've never talked to him about sleeping together? He hasn't wanted to with you? I'm trying hard to understand your situation, really I am." Annie continued her efforts to gain more insight.

"We've discussed it, of course. He wanted to and made it known from nearly the start of our seeing each other. I'm old-fashioned about some things and for me I couldn't just sleep with him for the sake of some quick sex. I respect Jim and for me the only way is with the full I do's and till death do you part, but we've never really said we loved one another," Iris continued as memories of the fake marriage she had had earlier in her life arose, questions coming out like tentacles to assail her.

"Iris, I don't want to come across as some witch here to trash what you've had with Jimmy, even though I'm sure that's how I must seem to you. Really, I admire your guts and determination but here's how I see it. Jim's got appetites that I know how to satisfy. We have more things in common and I see myself as the long-term solution to what he needs. You know, under different circumstances we could be great friends."

Annie was trying to be compassionate in this very unique circumstance. She wasn't out to get Iris but she viewed her as the obstacle to the conclusion of her plans. Annie felt Iris deserved to know the whole reason as to why she was here and went on to tell Iris about the criminal case she had evidence for and which Brass had been instrumental in getting for her, but that proceeding with it would be career suicide for her to be able to stay in LA and that ever since she'd last seen Brass it had caused her to want to resume what they'd shared.

"You're between a rock and a hard place with your job situation and I do sympathize. I truly hope things work out for you in that regard. As for what's going on between us about Jim, I guess it's like having cereal everyday for breakfast. You would be the variety pack and I would be Wheaties. A person might tire of having the same thing day in and day out I suppose." Iris's cell phone buzzed, showing a text message from Jim that he was on his way back from court to the office. "Well, it's time for us to get back…check please". Iris said evenly but inside she felt cold as if a million miles away