Date: Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Time: 7:10pm

Location: The Bar Association, Los Tokyo

Well, if I thought I was obsessed before, that feeling got kicked into overdrive after she stayed at my place that night. I must admit though, she did have me worried for an hour there. I knew from the beginning, after that first date, that she seemed uncertain about us, but I thought surely, we got past that stage after she slept over. Boy, was I wrong about that.

Some point over the past five months, she got the impression that I was the love 'em and leave 'em type. I'm not entirely sure where she got that idea from. I'm sure rumors about my relationship with Andrea made the rounds in the office at some point but then hearing my number obviously didn't help. If she knew the truth of it, she would never have worried in the first place, though I really didn't want to drudge up details of my past relationships with her.

Not to sound vain, but dating always came fairly easy to me. I didn't really have to try that hard. To say I was some pick-up artist was patently untrue though. What I was, was someone who spent years moving around, translating for Mamá, and only getting by on the kindness of strangers. It made it very easy for me to talk to people. When I'd talk to women at past jobs, at college, or in bars, flirting was like second nature to me, I didn't even notice I was doing it half the time.

That said, they were usually the ones that made the first move, approaching me, handing me their numbers, or making some initiation of physical contact. Mia being the exception. Maybe the thrill of the hunt attracted me to her more. As bad as it is to admit, I can't definitively say that wasn't a factor. But whatever it was, I was addicted to her now.

You could argue that, even if I wasn't the initiator, I should have been more discerning. You would probably have a point. Those relationships ranged from forgettable to mediocre to awkward to horrible. It wasn't all bad of course, I'm not a complete masochist and some of the better relationships could have their moments, but they were generally perfunctory. Both of us going through the motions, not really caring.

I was starting to think that something was wrong with me, being as detached as I was, especially with my exes that were perfectly fine. But, at the time, those arrangements were good enough. It was an ego boost and, up until now, I didn't know what I was missing out on. I hadn't felt any of those feelings yet. If I had known what actual love was like, I would have waited around for it. Mia scoffed when I said stuff like that; she scoffs at a lot of things I say, I've noticed, but I meant it.

When I dropped her off that afternoon, on my way to Mamá's after our fight and reconciliation, she still felt so embarrassed. She insisted on telling me about her exes to better explain why she had so many trust issues. I told her that wasn't necessary, frankly preferring that she didn't tell me. What can I say, I'm a simple man. Her "apology" earlier was enough for me. Besides, I didn't exactly need the mental imagery. She told me anyway.

It did illuminate things somewhat, but nothing that I didn't already assume reading between the lines. The main thought I had leaving that conversation was how I wanted to locate her college boyfriend and smash his head into a brick wall, but she assured me that she made him pay for it years ago. God forbid we ever bump into that guy because I can't guarantee that I wouldn't do that if we were ever face-to-face.

Other than that fight, this past month has been going smoothly. Almost every night since, she has slept over at my place, more and more of her stuff coming along with her as the weeks have gone on. For all intents and purposes, we were living together, and her apartment had just become storage, a place to pick up the odd item.

At her insistence, we did spend one weekend at her place though, me begrudgingly indulging her. However, after listening to her neighbors fight for hours through the paper-thin walls, beating a rat over the head with a broom, and her 30-year-old box spring cracking in half, she finally admitted that my place was more ideal.

I had asked her why she lived in such a hole. Even before I got my current place, my apartments weren't this crappy. She said it was all part of her five-year plan, to pay off her student loans and start her own law firm. As valedictorian, her tuition was covered through scholarships, but she still had over 15 grand in loans from her college living expenses left to pay off and needed plenty more to save for a law office. "You could always live with me to save money," I had joked, but the mere suggestion of that made her uncomfortable. Somehow, already, that idea didn't bother me at all.

At work, things were going just as well. Half of my married coworkers would complain about their spouses, finding work to be a great escape from home. We were just the opposite. In fact, I thanked my lucky stars that we met at work because I would be miserable if we could only see each other for a couple hours in the evenings after work. This showed though; we weren't exactly being subtle. In addition to the drives and the lunches, we would sit together at meetings, and she would frequently hang out in my office. Like I said before, I didn't really care if people knew, so long as the grand poohbah himself didn't find out.

Grossberg could be oblivious and was the last to the party when it came to learning about our relationship. In fact, he still wouldn't have found out about it if Hammond hadn't outed us at one of our Monday meetings two weeks ago. Mia and I were joking around and laughing as we walked into the boardroom and he announced our arrival, stating that "Mr. and Mrs. Armando are here, looks like we can get started." We weren't even late. Grossberg looked perplexed at first but seeing us both react awkwardly before we sat down, he started connecting the dots that everyone else had connected two-three weeks earlier.

After that meeting, Grossberg asked both of us to meet with him in his office, this discussion being the one thing we were hoping to avoid when our relationship became public. Mia, as far as I was concerned, got off easy. Grossberg was very gentle and fatherly with her, ensuring that she had not been coerced into this relationship and letting her know about all the human resource support available to her.

With me, however, he read the riot act. He wanted to make sure I knew that there would be consequences if I had another failed relationship at this firm and consequences if I hurt or tarnished the reputation of one of their rising stars at the firm. After all the theatrics though, he has mostly been okay with the arrangement. Our work continues to be top notch, my criminal trial win margin has actually increased, and our morale has been great, so he really can't complain.

And now, here we are again, back at the place where it all began over a month ago, The Bar Association, waiting for Mia's friend to meet us for a drink. I was up in my office a couple of hours ago, working on some paperwork, when I got a text about this meet-up from Mia.

(4:37pm) Mia Fey: Hey, did you want to make a new friend? :)

(4:38pm) Diego Armando: It's funny, I thought we worked in the same office. I guess I must have been mistaken.

(4:38pm) Mia Fey: Lol just so swamped with work down here. This is quicker!

(4:39pm) Diego Armando: I see how it is. Too busy to see me.

(4:40pm) Mia Fey: I'm sorry :( I might be able to come up for a few!

(4:40pm) Diego Armando: Joking ;) Although it would be more fun if you were here...

(4:41pm) Mia Fey: Grrr. That's so you.

(4:42pm) Mia Fey: Back on topic, my friend Lana and I haven't seen each other in a while. She's free tonight and wanted to go for drinks. You in?

(4:43pm) Diego Armando: Sure. Details?

(4:43pm) Mia Fey: TBA at 7ish? I'm probably going to be a bit late tonight.

(4:44pm) Diego Armando: Same unfortunately. Works for me.

(4:45pm) Mia Fey: :) Will meet you in your office in about 100 minutes!

(4:47pm) Diego Armando: Very specific. I'm going to time you.

We got here about five minutes ago and were seated at one of the booths waiting for Lana to show up. Mia was texting with her; it sounds like she was stuck late at the station too. I didn't know much about this friend yet, only that they met in law school and that she had become a detective at some point since then. Mia said that she was a pretty big deal on the force, but I couldn't put a face to the name, trying to think back to all the police officers I've interacted with on crime scenes over the past two years.

I didn't have to try and conjure up an image for much longer, as I saw a brunette woman, about Mia's height, clad in a police uniform, walking towards us. She seemed somewhat familiar, but I don't think we've met.

"Mia!" she exclaimed excitedly. "God, it's been forever. How are you?" She gave Mia a hug.

"I know!" Mia agreed giddily. "I hadn't even started working at the firm last time we saw each other. Things have been good." They stopped hugging and Mia gestured to me. "Lana, there's someone I'd like you to meet. This is Diego Armando."

I stood up and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, I think?" I said. "I'm always skulking around crime scenes for my defense cases, but I don't know if I've seen you around."

We all sat down. Lana looked at me strangely before saying, "what? You don't remember our magical night together?"

"What?" Me and Mia exclaimed in unison. Mia looked at me sternly.

Lana started laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. The opportunity was right there." Mia looked relieved. "No, I don't think we've met. Lana Skye."

"Again, nice to meet you, I think?" I said skeptically. Lana and Mia laughed. Mia already kept me on my toes but with the two of them, I was outnumbered.

Before anyone could say much of anything else, Candace came by to take Lana's drink order. In an effort to maintain transparency, I had told Mia before we got here that Candace and I had gone out a few times. She wasn't part of that number though, I assured her. She was uneasy about it, but by the time we got here, and while Candace was taking our order, she seemed completely unbothered, being perfectly cheerful and friendly.

"Hey Lana," Candace said with happy surprise. "It's been a while. I didn't know that you knew these two," she said, gesturing to me and Mia.

"Hey Candy," Lana said, smiling. Candy? They were close enough that they used nicknames? She continued, "I know, I know, work's been so insane. You know Gant, total hardass, but they say he's the best." Lana laughed. "And I don't know both of them, just the cute one."

Candace laughed. "Sorry Diego. What can I get for you?"

"Sorry, what was that?" Lana asked rhetorically. "I was distracted by that giant rock on your finger." She grabbed Candace's hand and examined her diamond engagement ring. That explains a lot. Mia must have clocked that as soon as we got in, but I hadn't noticed. I looked at Mia and she smiled at me knowingly. "When did this happen?" Lana asked.

Candace beamed. "A couple of weeks ago. I was completely taken by surprise but I'm so happy."

"I can imagine," Lana said enthusiastically, nodding. She looked around. "Well, I don't want to keep you, it's crazy busy in here, but you text me later and tell me all the details, okay?"

"Sure! And I know," Candace agreed. "Karaoke night is always nuts." Shit. I forgot about that. I had always avoided this place on Wednesdays for a reason. "What do you want to drink?"

Lana grabbed the drink menu and looked briefly, "Hm, I'll have a Lime Mens-reata, please. With a salt rim," she clarified. I had to commend this bar; they did commit to their law theme even if the puns were reaching sometimes.

"I'll be right back," Candace said, walking towards the bar. She returned a few minutes later and dropped off the drink before serving her other tables.

"So, you two know each other?" I asked Lana once Candace was out of earshot.

"I know everyone," Lana said plainly. "Except you I guess." She squinted at me. "What were you, a few years ahead of me in school?"

"I'm not sure. I'll be 28 in about a month, if that helps" I replied.

"A couple years ahead then. Did you do the one-year or three-year program?" she asked.

"Three-year," I answered.

In addition to the three-day trial rule, about a decade ago, Japanifornia had put an initiative in place which allowed law schools to offer a one-year accelerated law program to pump out lawyers more quickly. I had wanted to go that route, preferring an intensive 12-month program to losing out on two lucrative law income-earning years. However, I had to work nearly full-time all through college and law school so I didn't think I could do the accelerated program and work serviceably. Smarties like Mia, who were on full scholarships and didn't have to work, typically did the one-year course.

"So weird," Lana said, shaking her head. "I knew most of the upper classmen, but I don't remember you at all."

"Diego didn't go to Ivy University," Mia chimed in. "He was an LTU grad."

"Go Jaguars," I said, halfheartedly pumping my fist. There were six universities in the city, but only Ivy University and Los Tokyo University had law programs. Ivy was far more prestigious, but I went to LTU because it was the more affordable state school and had offered me a few bursaries.

"Ah, that makes sense. Yeah, we can't be friends then," Lana joked.

"Lana," Mia admonished through laughter.

"Kidding. I guess I can let it slide since you're dating my friend."

"How did you two meet anyway?" I asked. "Mia mentioned that you went to school together, but I don't know much of the details."

They both started to answer, but Lana told Mia to go. "It was September during my final year of undergrad and Lana was in her second year of law school. I was auditing one of her law classes just to get prepared for next year."

"Such a keener," Lana teased.

"Me?" Mia asked incredulously. "I wasn't the one raising my hand at every question in class."

"Okay so we were both keeners. Mia, of course, wanted to talk to me because I knew all the right answers and we became fast friends."

"Lana actually got me a spot in her sorority shortly after that, when I needed a place to stay," Mia added. "One of her girls had dropped out and she had become a house mother after her undergrad."

"Oh God," Lana shook her head and rubbed her eyes, exhausted. "I still can't believe I did that for three years. The things I'd do for free room and board for me and Ema."

"Sorority?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"Get your head out of the gutter," Mia scolded. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we didn't have underwear pillow fights every night."

"I didn't say anything," I replied defensively, holding my palms up in surrender. I just thought it.

"I know how your mind works," Mia countered. "I assure you it was all very tame. We all had lots of studying to do."

Lana laughed. "I wouldn't say it was all serious. I seem to recall one night, we both got drunk at that Christmas party and were hanging out in your room and we...ow!" Lana had exclaimed in pain. Mia had not so subtly kicked Lana in the shins from across the table to get her to stop talking.

Was she saying what I think she was saying? "I didn't know you had a sexy phase," I said dazedly. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"Diego!" Mia exclaimed.

Well, I might as well lean into it now. I fiddled with my briefcase and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and slid it across the table to Lana. "I need dates, times, and details of all these alleged incidents," I said, pretending to be serious.

Mia sighed. "Okay, if we must talk about this, it was just one time. And we just kissed," she clarified.

Lana laughed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Mia frowned. "Oh, I'm just teasing. I go both ways, but Mia was just a little curious." She reached across the table and playfully pinched Mia's cheek. "She just wanted to try something out with an older woman."

Mia drew her head away, and Lana pulled her hand back. "Older woman? Lana, you're only a year and a half older than me." She sighed again. "Maybe you two shouldn't have met. I can't have both of you tag-teaming me."

"Kitten, if you don't want us teasing you, I suggest you phrase that differently," I said mischievously, before sipping my drink. Lana laughed. She offered her palm up and I high fived it.

Mia frantically shook her head. "Anyway, let's change the subject." She was blushing with embarrassment, but I found this whole interaction to be very enlightening. "How's Ema doing?"

"She's good," Lana replied warmly, stifling her laughter. "Going to be a teenager this year, I can't believe it. She's getting really into forensics lately. I've taken her to the HQ a few times and she really enjoys seeing all the stuff we have." Lana smiled. "I think she has a crush on one of the prosecutors who stops by sometimes, but she won't admit it. He's always so nice to her."

"Ema's your sister?" I asked.

"Yes, sorry," Mia replied. "Lana's sister is only one year younger than Maya."

"I can't believe we haven't introduced them yet," Lana added. "I feel like they would be best friends." Mia nodded in agreement. She sighed. "But yeah, it's just me and Ema. Our parents died in a car accident seven years ago and I've been her guardian ever since."

"I'm really sorry," I said sympathetically. "God, you know all our lives are effed up when poor immigrant with a deadbeat dad and single mother is lowest on the tragedy totem pole," I remarked sarcastically.

Mia and Lana just nodded wistfully. Candace came by again and we ordered another round of drinks. When she returned, she warned us that karaoke was going to start in five minutes. I groaned, but Lana looked excited. She walked over to the stage, took one of their track list binders, and brought it back to the table to peruse.

"Look Mia!" she exclaimed, pointing at one of the song listings. "They have that song you and I used to play on repeat. Wanna go up?"

Mia scoffed. "I have to be a lot drunker to do that."

"Well, what are we waiting for," Lana said, clinking her glass with Mia's and beginning to chug. Mia decided to follow her lead.

"Mia..." I warned. We grabbed a quick bite before we got here, but I still didn't have an exact handle on her tolerance level.

"Pssh," she waved me off and took another large sip of her drink. "How often do I get to see Lana?"

"Okay," I said skeptically. "If you're hungover at work tomorrow, just remember I warned you."

"So, I take it you don't do karaoke, Diego?" Lana asked light-heartedly.

"Yeah, no," I said bluntly. "I have no interest in humiliating myself for you and Mia's amusement."

"You're no fun," Mia teased, playfully tapping me on the arm.

The first performer had just taken to the stage and started singing and we all looked over in his direction. So far, not so good. About a minute of it was all I could handle, and I decided to start the conversation again. "So, Lana, something still confuses me. You spent all this time in law school, how did you end up being a detective?"

"It's funny," she said. "I thought that I wanted to be a prosecutor for years, but about halfway through the program, I realized that I really wanted to be a cop instead. I didn't want to drop out after spending all that time and money, so I finished law school, but I went immediately to the police academy afterwards. Graduated top of my class but skipped the ceremony."

"How long did that take?" I asked.

"Police academy?" she replied. I nodded. "Normally it takes six months but because I had a criminology degree and a law degree, I was able to complete it in three months. I started on the force last August and became a detective in December." Well that answered my next question.

"Do you think you'll ever be a lawyer again?" Mia asked. "You were always such a star student," she added supportively.

"I don't know..." Lana said, her voice trailing off. She thought for a moment. "Gant, the deputy police chief," she clarified. "He's been trying to convince me to join the prosecutor's office for some reason. He's quite insistent. I like where I'm at though. We have such a solid group of detectives at the precinct right now."

Mia and I just nodded and there was another beat, then applause. We all joined in even though we hadn't been paying attention to the performer.

"The mic's free if anyone would like to come up," Candace said, speaking into the microphone.

"You drunk enough yet?" Lana teased Mia.

"I guess so," Mia replied, taking one more swig of her drink for courage.

Lana grabbed her hand and dragged her over to the stage. They started singing and... how do I say this charitably? I've definitely heard worse, but let's just say, I guess Mia isn't perfect after all.

They both sung into the same microphone, sometimes harmonizing well, and sometimes not. I tried to recall the song, but I didn't recognize it. It was pop, something recent, but I don't think I've heard it before. Mia had informed me a couple weeks ago, flipping through my record and CD collection, that I was a bit of a music snob. I wasn't a snob, I had told her, I just had good taste. Spoken like a true snob, she told me.

While I wasn't all that enthusiastic about the performance, the crowd was cheering and whooping. This was understandable. Put two pretty 20-something girls on stage and ask them to sing the alphabet song and guys will cheer anyway. Despite not being familiar with their song selection nor wowed by their performance, no one clapped harder than me when they finished. They both walked back towards me laughing.

"What did you think?" Mia asked expectantly.

"Well, it was certainly a performance," I said diplomatically.

"Sure, you haven't changed your mind?" Lana asked teasingly.

"No, I'm good." I checked my watch. 10:30pm. "Honestly, we should probably get going soon, it's getting late. When's your call time, Lana?"

She frowned. "7:00am."

"Oof. That's rough." I commiserated. "Why don't we hit the road?" They both looked at me with disappointment and nodded.

"There's never enough time," Mia lamented, putting on her jacket.

"I know," Lana agreed. "We'll have to make a point to do this more often than every six months." Mia nodded.

We paid for our drinks and exited the bar. "Do you want us to escort you home, Lana?" I offered. "You live close?"

"What a gentleman," Lana said amusedly, winking at Mia who smiled back. "I'm only a couple blocks away though so I think I should be fine. Have a good night you two." She started walking away, then turned back around to face us. "Take good care of my girl, okay Diego?"

"She's in good hands, I promise."

She smiled and waved before walking away.