Page 85 of The Diamond in the Rough

She brought us all bowls with brownie sundaes, and we did our best not to drip ice cream or chocolate sauce on the puzzle pieces.

“So,” Sam said, pressing another piece into place. “Been up to anything other than working this case?”

I shrugged. “No, not really.”

“What about you, Melissa?” Sam asked her. “Anything new?”

The pink in her cheeks told us there was. “Well… kinda.”

“You can’t leave it there!” Sam protested. “Details, woman!”

Melissa laughed, although her cheeks stayed bright. “It’s only been a couple dates,” she protested.

“So who is it?” Sam asked, his eyes glittering.

“You don’t know him,” she retorted.

“He’s got a name, though, yeah?”

She rolled dark hazel eyes. “Yes, he has a name. It’s Max.”

“And what does he do?”

“God, Sam,” she mumbled.

“He’s God?” Sam teased.

“Sam.”

“What?” His milky light brown eyes sparkled.

“If you must know,” she said. “He also works for the city.” Melissa, not shockingly, was about to start a masters in hydraulic engineering next year at VCU. It was a good career for a water witch living in a city with rapids. She already worked for the city, although I wasn’t super clear on what she did. Something having to do with water treatment and management.

“Is he a water witch, too?” Sam asked.

“No, he’s in the parks department.”

“Where does he work?” I asked. I liked parks. I didn’t get to go to them all that often, but I loved the outdoors.

“He does forestry. So all over. Byrd and Forest Hill and wherever they send him.”

“That’s cool!” Sam put in. “Hey, we should do a picnic at one of them! You can invite Max.”

Melissa flushed again. “It’s literally been two dates. Let me get farther than that before inflicting you two on him!”

Sam grinned, the expression made lopsided by the laxity on one side of his face. It was kind of endearing. “I’ll bring sausages…” he wheedled.

Melissa narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll tell you what,” she said. “You both bring a date and I’ll let you meet Max.”

I wondered very briefly if Raj would ever consider doing something like that before reality reminded me that he absolutely wouldnot, especially now.

Something must have shown on my face because both Melissa and Sam were staring at me.

“Rayn…” Melissa said, her voice tight with excitement. She grabbed on to my wrist with both hands. “Talk.”

I shook my head, knowing my face must have been bright red from the heat I could feel in my cheeks.

“Rayn, come on!” she begged. “I told you about Max! It’s your turn!”