Page 14 of Win a Date with a Detective

Which is… strange. I’m a detective who spends most of his time filling out paperwork and drinking terrible coffee.

Yet somehow, this gorgeous woman thinks I’m fascinating.

We’re halfway through ordering drinks when someone calls my name.

“Bronson!”

I turn.

A woman in an expensive cocktail dress is approaching our table, dragging a man in an equally expensive suit behind her.

I recognize her immediately. Vanessa. We went to school together.

Her date, on the other hand, only looks vaguely familiar.

“Well, look at you!” Vanessa exclaims. “I didn’t know you were capable of taking a night off.”

“Occasionally.”

“This is my fiancé,” she announces, gesturing toward the man beside her.

He offers his hand.

“Good to meet you.”

I shake it.

“And this is Rachel,” I say, placing my hand against the small of her back.

Vanessa’s eyes light up.

“Oh! Is this a date?”

Rachel grins.

“Actually, I bought him.”

Vanessa blinks.

I sigh.

“At a charity bachelor auction.”

“Oh!” Vanessa laughs. “That’s wonderful!”

Rachel leans closer to me.

“I got a bargain.”

I look down at her.

“Did you?”

“Jury’s still out.”

I grin.

Vanessa’s attention shifts to Rachel’s dress.