Page 33 of Win a Date with a Detective

I sigh and shake my head.

Derek laughs.

And Rachel practically vibrates with excitement. “Seriously: Does this mean I get to help solve the case?”

“No,” Derek and I say simultaneously.

She pouts.

I grin. “Nice try, sweetheart.”

She crosses her arms. “But hypothetically speaking...”

“Rachel.”

“What?”

“No.”

She laughs.

It’s music to my ear. And I realize something. I don’t want this night to end. Not even a little.

By the time we finally leave the station, it’s well past midnight.

Rachel slips her hand into mine as we walk toward my truck. “Does this mean our date is officially over?”

I stop. Turn toward her. Her eyes are bright. Her cheeks are flushed.

And she’s looking at me with an expression that makes my chest ache.

I swallow hard. “It doesn’t have to be.”

She blinks. “It doesn’t?”

I step closer. “Not even close.”

Her smile spreads. “Good.”

I brush a strand of hair away from her face. “Because I still owe you dinner.”

She glances back toward the station. “What about the case?”

“Derek’s handling it.”

“And you’re just going to walk away?”

I smile. “Rachel, I’ve spent my entire career solving mysteries.”

She raises an eyebrow. “And?”

I lean down until my mouth is inches from hers. “Right now, there’s only one I’m interested in.”

Her breath catches.

I brush my lips against hers.

“Figuring out what makes you tick.”