Grounds for Murder (24 page)

I shook my head. ‘OK, wise guy. If you know so much, tell me why you said Antonio and Amy could become a couple.’

I liked the thought of the two of them raising Davy – or David, as Antonio called him – and living happily every after. I’m a sucker for a happy ending.

‘Stranger things have happened,’ Pavlik said, wrestling the ball away from Frank. ‘Though I have to say I’m a little confused about Amy and Janalee’s relationship.’

‘I know. But like Antonio said –’ I affected his accent – ‘“A casual friendship, a great love – who are we on the outside to know? ”’

‘Horrible Italian accent,’ Pavlik said, ‘but I get your point.’

‘Besides, I don’t think things are as clear cut as they were when we were young,’ I said, settling back against the step. ‘Eric says that kids are exploring their sexuality more these days. Gay, straight, bi-sexual – whatever.’

Pavlik was teasing the dog, now, pretending to throw the ball. ‘I’m probably engaging in a little wishful thinking, anyway, about those two.’

‘Which two? Amy and Janalee, or Amy and Antonio?’

‘The latter.’ Pavlik faked another toss and hid the ball behind me on the step.

‘You don’t want Amy to be gay?’ I asked, trying to push the slimy ball away from me.

‘I don’t want Antonio to be available.’ He turned toward me. ‘You seem to find him altogether too charming.’

‘He,’ I said, pulling the tennis ball out from behind my now drool-stained back, ‘doesn’t slime me.’

‘I could be charming and slime you. Try me.’ Pavlik leaned down to kiss me.

‘And how about you, Sheriff?’ I said afterwards, a little breathlessly. ‘What’s your addiction?’

‘My addiction?’ He was looking into my eyes. ‘I think you―’

WHUMP! Frank had found the tennis ball.

In an effort to get to it, the dog landed on Pavlik. Pavlik, in turn, fell on top of me, pinning me to the steps.

A sheepdog and sheriff sandwich.

I was just never going to have sex.