Page 45 of Win a Date with a Detective

It’s pink. It has little cupcakes on it. And it says Kiss the Cook.

Naturally, I oblige. Repeatedly.

By the time we sit down to eat, I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s possible to fall in love with someone in less than twenty-four hours.

Because if it is, I’m in serious trouble.

“So,” Bronson says, putting another piece of toast on my plate. “Tell me about your evidence board.”

I freeze. “The what?”

He raises an eyebrow. “The evidence board in your living room.”

I close my eyes. “Please tell me you forgot about that.”

“Not a chance.”

“It’s just to keep my job interesting.”

“Obviously.” Before he can ask another question, his phone rings.

He glances at the screen. “Derek.”

I immediately straighten. “Do you think it’s about the case?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

He steps out of the room as he answers.

I pretend to appear completely uninterested. Which is difficult when he’s standing approximately six feet away discussing an actual criminal investigation.

Eventually, he hangs up. I stare at him. He stares back.

“Well?” I ask.

“Well, what?”

“BRONSON!”

He laughs. “Relax, sweetheart.”

“Did they find the ring?”

“Not yet.”

I deflate. “Oh.”

“But we confirmed that the insurance policy was recently updated.”

My eyes widen. “Seriously?”

He nods. “The coverage was increased substantially just a few weeks ago.”

Holy shit. I knew it. Well. Technically, I suspected it.

But still. I grab my phone.

“What are you doing?” Bronson asks.