Page 48 of Win a Date with a Detective

“Something like that.” He kisses me again.

Slowly. Thoroughly.

And when he finally pulls away, I’m considering whether I can reasonably convince him to call in sick.

Probably not.

Although it’s worth investigating another time.

Closing the door behind him, I return to my bedroom and collapse onto my bed.

I think I’m in love.

My phone buzzes.

LENORA: ARE YOU ALIVE???

ME: Yes.

LENORA: DID YOU SLEEP WITH THE DETECTIVE?

I consider my response. Then type:

ME: I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation.

Three dots appear immediately.

LENORA: OH MY GOD.

I burst out laughing. Then my phone buzzes again. It’s Bronson.

BRONSON: For the record, I’m still thinking about you.

My heart melts.

ME: Careful, Detective. I’m beginning to think you might like me.

BRONSON: Guilty as charged.

I stare at the screen and smile.

EIGHT

BRONSON

I’ve spent my entire career looking for clues.

Fingerprints. Security footage. Witness statements. Financial records.

But I never imagined a photograph from a stranger’s Instagram account would help me crack a case.

Especially a photograph discovered by the woman I’m planning to marry.

Marry? Apparently, my brain has officially skipped dating and gone straight to forever.

And the strangest part? I’m perfectly fine with that.

“You’re smiling.”