Who Am I To Say by Hope

He was her best friend, even though she didn’t want to admit it. Mac used to hold that place of honor, but lately, Don had inched by him. They talked about anything and everything. They saw movies when they had the same day off. They cooked for each other after a hard case. She fell asleep on his couch more than once or twice.

            She told herself that that was why it was so hard to watch him flirt with Angell. A part of her mind had convinced her that he might actually feel the same way about her. She had actually started to think that she had a chance. But as she watched the two detectives laugh and joke, she suddenly felt bereft. It was almost as though a part of her had been ripped from her body.

            Don noticed the change almost immediately. Stella started to pull away; movie nights were cancelled, and she no longer invited him over for dinner. Her manner with him had changed as well – she was distant, and her smile never quite met her eyes. He wondered if he had done something wrong, but nothing came to mind.

            Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore. He showed up at her door unannounced, his clothes dripping from the rainstorm outside. He banged on her door until she opened up, anger and surprise warring on her face.

            “I don’t wanna lose you, Stell.”

            “Flack, what the hell are you –“

            “Just give me a chance.”

            “Don –“

            He reached out and pulled her to him then, covering her mouth with his. And suddenly Stella knew that Angell had never been a threat.