My Cop Ex-Boyfriend

: Interrogated by an Ex

My best friend and I were out clubbing and got taken in.

Tsk...

It was a misunderstanding.

I never expected the officer handling the case to be my ex-boyfriend. My mind went blank.

1

"What's your relationship with the man you had your arm around earlier?"

I stared hard at Leo Reid's cold, distant expression, trying to find a crack in his composure.

But he was all business, treating me like a complete stranger. As soon as he finished speaking, he ducked his head to take notes, not even bothering to give me a second glance.

It was probably the alcohol, but an indescribable emotion churned and swelled within me. Fragments of memories I thought were long forgotten came flooding back. Before I could lose myself completely in the past, I tore my gaze away and stared down at the floor.

"No relationship."

...

Today, I finally wrapped up a nearly month-long stakeout that had turned my days and nights upside down. I'd successfully snapped photos of a popular pretty-boy actor spending the night at the home of an actress who had just gotten divorced two days earlier.

After sending the story and photos to my editor for confirmation, I stretched my exhausted body, ready to clock out and go home to catch up on sleep.

A message from my best friend, Vivi Willow, popped up right on cue.

Vivi: "Mona, baby, congrats! You landed another huge one."

Vivi: "Come out with your girl tonight and let's go have some fun at a bar."

Vivi: "Let me tell you, a new place just opened up over on The Circuit. I hear the bartenders are super hot!"

Vivi: "Plus, I heard that super-popular actor, Summer, is an investor. We might even run into him!"

Vivi: "You might even stumble upon your next big scoop!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her messages. 'Is she asking me to have fun or to work overtime?'

'Oh, whatever. I'll just go and unwind a bit.'

...

Night fell, and the neon lights flickered to life.

Vivi and I went inside and found a table in the corner, slightly removed from the crowd on the dance floor.

Even in the corner, the music was just as loud. We had to lean in close to talk, practically brushing against each other through the thin fabric of our clothes. But I suppose that's the kind of thrill and stimulation some people look for in a bar.

"I gotta say, your smoky-eye look is so natural!"

Vivi leaned in, saying it in that way that just begged for a smack.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her. "Oh, you're totally right. I pulled all-nighters for a whole month to achieve this natural effect, all for tonight."

I picked up the cocktail in front of me and took a sip. Under the kaleidoscopic bar lights, it cast a strange yet alluring glow.

"You hang out here and drink. I'm gonna go check out the scene."

I nodded, and without a backward glance, Vivi swayed her hips and headed for the dance floor.