“We’ve been on a date, Mickey,” I replied. “I’m rusty with this but I do think it’s within your rights not to want exclusive at this early juncture. However, I do believe it’s within my rights, if you don’t want that, not for you to expect that from me.”

He lifted up a hand, snapped loudly twice and clipped, “Reality check, babe. You are not standin’ here havin’ it out with your ex. I’m,” he leaned toward me, “Mickey.”

I felt my eyes get wide in preparation for my head to explode.

“Did you just snap at me?”

“Yeah, seein’ as you were in the middle of a flashback, havin’ a conversation with a guy who’d be asshole enough to make you end somethin’ with a douche so he could start somethin’ with you at the same time carryin’ on with somebody else. That guy not bein’ me.”

“Well, I’m sorry I’m troubling you with this conversation, however, I’ll make my apologies reminding you that we haven’t actually had this conversation or many conversations at all since we never see each other.”

“Amy, I work.”

“I’m aware of that, Mickey.”

“Got kids,” he went on.

“That hadn’t escaped me either.”

“And give my time to the department when I got it to give.”

“Which is a lot,” I noted.

The thunderous went out of his face and angry, surprised wariness slid in when he asked, “That a problem for you?”

I shook my head incredulously. “You doing what you’ve always wanted to do?”

“I made that clear enough you know that’s what I need, which makes your comment about me spendin’ a lot of time doin’ it somethin’ that doesn’t sit real good with me.”

“Perhaps I made that comment since you spend a lot of time doing a lot of other things and all those other things don’t really involve me,” I retorted.

His expression again changed to disbelieving with a hint of repulsion. “So you’re havin’ a shit fit because you want your piece of me?”

“No, Mickey Donovan,” I snapped. “I’m having a shit fit because I want you to give some indication you want your piece of me.”

His upper body swung back and his voice quieted when he replied, “You know I do, Amy.”

“Really? I’m sorry, that escaped me.”

“Got shit on, a lot of it, and you know it.”

“You’re right. I do. And I understand that. And I wouldn’t have a problem with it. One date we’ve had, I am aware that doesn’t shoot me up to the top of your priority list. But I’d like some indication I’ve actually been scratched on it.”

His face started to go hard again when he stated, “The shit in my life, I bring a woman into it, I need some understanding.”