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many levels it’s not even funny.”
    Ridge looked confused. “Then what are we doing here . . . in a dark alley . . . watching every move she makes?”
    “Hey man, you’re not paying attention. Tizzy isn’t the only woman in there.”
    Ridge looked back inside at Tizzy and Rayann dancing. He turned to face Bubba. “So . . . you’re not interested in Tizzy . . . it’s Rayann?”
    Bubba flicked his finger at him. “Bingo.”
    “Then what was all the talk about Tizzy’s boobs . . . watching her leave a room . . . and her driving you crazy?”
    “Shit man, that’s just talk. Her boobs do drive me crazy. But I’m not in love with her. We’re friends.” He tilted his head and lifted his brows. “Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing her nekked.”
    “You’re saying you’re in love with Rayann? Why the hell don’t you tell her?”
    “No can do. I had my chance with her. She married somebody else.”
    Ridge gasped. “She’s married?”
    “Not anymore. But the guy she married was one hundred percent different from me. I guess I’m not her type.”
    “Sounds to me like he wasn’t her type. She’s divorced? I’d say that leaves the door wide open for you. What’s holding you back . . . rejection?”
    Bubba shrugged. “I guess. I mean . . . she rejected me in high school and I’m not sure I wanna risk heartbreak again.”
    “Well, since my marriage failed, I’m not qualified to give relationship advice, but I’d like to think I learned something from the experience,” Ridge said, his tone thick with disappointment. “My sister Erica is more than willing to point out my mistakes. She said women crave attention and from what I witnessed the other day, Rayann definitely wants yours.”
    Bubba wagged his head. “I’m not sure, man. I’m a big guy and she’s a tiny little thing. Yet, I’m scared shitless of her. How screwed up is that?”
    Ridge cocked his head. “Yeah. You’re messed up all right. But when it comes to women, we’re all messed up. Tell me. As good looking as Tizzy is, how has she managed to stay unattached?” He hesitated. “I’m assuming she is unattached.”
    Bubba took gum from his shirt pocket and offered Ridge a piece. “This town is small. The pickin’s here are slim. Besides, when you date local, you have the disadvantage of knowing everything about your date and their family,” Bubba said. “There was this guy about a year ago. Some salesman. She was interested, but something happened, and he was out of the picture.”
    Bubba glanced at Ridge and smiled. “You’re sorta interested . . . aren’t you?”
    Ridge shifted and almost swallowed his gum. “No. I mean yeah . . . she’s involved in the case, so I’m interested from that standpoint.”
    Bubba laughed. “The case. Sure, the case. I hear you.”
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    T izzy smiled thinking about the patrol car in the alley as she removed the last batch of cupcakes and set them on the cooling rack. She wiped her hands, took off her apron and danced around the counter into the dining area. “Hey Freddy, advance the CD to number six. We haven’t listened to Otis in a while.”
    The room filled with Otis Redding singing “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.” Freddy grabbed Tizzy and twirled her and they started to dance. When he tried to pull her close, she kept him at arm’s length for a few minutes, then pulled away, walked to Gracie and began to dance with her.
    When the next song started, Rayann and Tizzy got up. They raised their hands in the air above their heads, twisted, turned, and thrust their bodies to the fast beat.
    Rayann leaned in. “Do you think he’s out there?”
    Tizzy smiled. “Of course, he is. He’s always in the alley on Monday night. How long are you and Bubba gonna play this game?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said coolly, trying to sound innocent.
    “Give me a break, Rayann,” Tizzy persisted, taking a quick breath. “You’re crazy about him