I knew he couldn’t resist me. Of course it took some arm-twisting, but I’ll bet the clincher was that I have my driver’s license now. He realizes how mature I’ve become, and I’m just, well, irresistible.

Oh, I heard the other guys snickering behind us. Especially Hutch, who should know better. He saw how our romance bloomed, being Dave’s partner and all. So he really shouldn’t be surprised that Dave finally fell for my charms.

But if Dave thinks he’s taking me for pizza, he’s got another thing coming. I want a real date. I’m going to make reservations at White Oaks. And then we can go back there for dinner another time; they have dancing in the evenings. We’d look so good together on the dance floor, fitted up against each other during slows dances. Slow dancing, good conversation, warm food, and a fire burning in their fireplaces. Mmmm….I can’t wait for our dinner date.

Now to go home and get ready for tomorrow’s date. What’ll I wear? Something slightly conservative – I am only 16 after all – but fun. I don’t want to give Dave any ideas.

*****

Dave and I met over a year ago when him and Hutch tried to arrest me for shoplifting. It was minor – just a lighter. But Dave convinced Hutch to let me go when he fell for me. If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is. Dave even saved me from a barn fire later that same day. It’s a long story, but he almost sacrificed his own life for me.

Of course he had to take me back to my parents, but that was just for show. Not that they cared. I’m sure Dave would want me to move in, but I am under 18 and he is a cop. Don’t want to get him in trouble or anything.

*****

Captain Dobey looked surprised to see me a second day in a row. He better get used to it now that Dave and I are an item again. When he told me that Dave was working on an important case and that he probably couldn’t make lunch, I wasn’t worried. Dave would never stand me up. Not now that he’s come to his senses. So I just hung around the station for awhile waiting for him to show up. It was kinda neat to hear some of the stuff that goes on in the police department. I have to know more about Dave’s work so when we move in together, I can be understanding when he has a rough day.

Listening in, I found out Hutch was working undercover as a hit man. But Dave wasn’t. So where was he? He wouldn’t forget our date, I know he wouldn’t. I thought maybe his friend Huggy knew where he was. Huggy knows everything.

So now I’m sitting here at The Pits drinking my cherry and cola drink while Huggy’s trying to talk me into giving up on Dave. Give up on him? Never!

“Love’s a runaway train, Hug, and I’m riding this one to the end of the line.”

He just shook his and tried to convince me that Dave’s a sex maniac. Like I didn’t realize that the first time when I saw his lopsided grin and flashing eyes. The way he swaggers when he wants to get the ladies attention. <sigh> Well, I’ve got time to work on him. I guess I’ll just have to get used to the flirting though. Can’t make a dog change his spots overnight.

*****

Why, oh why God did you have to let me fall in love with such a man? I can handle the job; I can handle the flirting; but the lying? He promised me a lunch date and now he’s out with some other woman, dancing with her and everything. That should be me in his arms, and I’m gonna let her know it, just as soon as I find my opening.

Let me tell you I made quite an impression on Miss-I-Have-A-Man’s-Name. She heard my subtle warnings about how I could put up with Dave’s job as a cop, but not with any other women. That made her go real pale. Yep, I scared her alright. So I went back to my car to wait, and guess who comes out together? Dave and the dark haired floozy, walking arm in arm down the street. I figured I’d follow ‘em to see where they were going. That was until someone came up and shot Dave right there on the street! Oh My God! And Miss-Can’t-Handle-It ran away and left him there. Not me, I couldn’t leave Dave there to bleed on the sidewalk.

Then God granted me a miracle. Dave sat up and told me he would be okay, so I ran back to my car (actually my mothers, but hey, she’s got another) and followed the bad guys. I didn’t even think about my safety. They hurt Dave and they would pay.

*****

First they hurt Dave, now they’re gonna hurt Hutch. They don’t know I’m here, listening to their conversation from the other side of the wall. I’ve got to get to Captain Dobey, tell him Hutch’s in trouble and find out how Dave is. He’ll need a nurse, and I’ve got enough stubbornness to convince him that I’m the perfect nurse for him.

Turns out Dave really was okay. The shooting was a fake. It was Hutch all along trying to convince the bad guys he really was a hit man. And then the real hit man showed up so now the bad guys are gonna hurt Hutch. But Dave won’t believe me, and Captain Dobey looks at me like I’m a little girl.

“You are gonna be so sorry.” I tell them.

Ooh, I’m so mad at Dave. First for standing me up again, then for the floozy, and for making me believe he was really hurt, now for not believing me about Carlisle. He really owes me big time.

But first, I guess it’s up to me to save Hutch.