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another round of sex, she’d found the ugly scar from the slug she’d put in him, and nearly gasped at the sight. There would always be that reminder of the pain she’d caused him.
    Disgusted with the path her thoughts had taken, Carmen hopped down and went into the living room. She picked up her phone and then dropped it onto the coffee table.
    You were ready to call him, weren’t you? Fool
.
    Going to her closet, she tried to push Don out of her thoughts. The hangers squeaked and grated on the pole as she searched for a decent dress. She had to have something appropriate for the major’s party.
    Hell no. Everything she owned was either backless, strapless, or thigh-high creations. In the mess were some even shorter skirts. The floor, littered with shoes, told the same tale, all inappropriate just like their owner.
    Maybe she’d wear her uniform. That would be a kick in the ass. Whatever the hell she wore, she wasn’t staying long. She would be all set gift wise with a box of Monte Christos. The major was such a sweet guy, helping her out of plenty of hot situations.
    Shutting the closet door, she thought about Don’s comment. What had he meant by that crack about the sun setting in her ass? She’d never gotten the slightest inkling Major Green played favorites with her. Don was a typical male, reading crap into everything.
    Too bad he couldn’t read her emotions. They would both be a lot happier if he could. Then again, maybe not.
    She showered and dressed, putting the wet clothes in the dryer before heading off to find a decent dress. She rolled her eyes at the idea.
    For the next several days, Carmen was forced to have a recruit ride with her. Genonese was doing his annual weapons proficiency test and had been testifying in a murder trial. She missed him like fury, but being away from Don for a few days gave her a chance to think of something else.
    Time seemed to drag, yet the evening of the reception came all too soon for her. She dressed in her new cocktail dress and piled her hair into a reasonably stylish do. She gave up trying to appear perky and let the stubborn strands around her cheeks do as they pleased.
    Where had the time gone?
    Why hadn’t she had her hair done in a salon? Shoes, she had tons of, but she settled for her standbys, white sandals with three-inch heels.
    It was time to leave the comfort of her apartment and head to the Plaza where all the in people hung out.
    That was a laugh. She’d arrested most of them for drunken driving or wife beating.
    Lord, don’t let this night drag on too long
.
    * * * *
    Remembering several unexplained scrapes on the fender of her car, Carmen wasn’t anxious to use valet parking. She reluctantly handed over the keys to her Lincoln to an attendant and went inside the discreetly lit lobby of the hotel. Following the signs, she found the banquet room and stood near the exit.
    She hadn’t been sure about the white silk cocktail dress, but after seeing what the other women were wearing, she relaxed. The dress had cost her a week’s pay, but the soft swirl of the skirt around her knees had convinced her to buy it. She was confident the feminine, draped bodice was modest, and the tiny straps would hold her breasts in place.
    Lifting her bare shoulders, she moved through the crowd, smiling at the officers she knew, and exchanged a few words with some of them. They all had dates, or their wives hung onto their arms in a territorial stance.
    Carmen moved on, finally spotting the guest of honor. She held her hand out. “Congratulations, Major.”
    He pulled her into the circle of his arms for a hug. “Thank you, Redstone.” He smiled and turned to the group of men with him. “You all know Detective Redstone, don’t you?” He eyed her dress with a smile. “She’s an exemplary officer and is going places in the department.”
    Knowing some of the men thought she wasn’t qualified for advancement, heat rose to her cheeks. After the incident with Genonese, she