Page 20 of Win a Date with a Detective

“Wait.”

He doesn’t say anything.

“WAIT.”

“Rachel—”

“Oh my God. You think I stole it!”

“No.”

The answer comes so quickly that I almost don’t believe him.

“Really?”

“I watched you give it back.”

Relief washes over me.

“Oh, thank God.”

“Unfortunately, the restaurant’s security cameras don’t have quite the same perspective.”

I stare at him.

Then at the security guard.

Then back at him.

“Are you telling me I’m a suspect?”

Bronson sighs.

“Technically, everyone who had access to the ring is a potential suspect.”

My mouth falls open.

Holy shit.

I’m a suspect.

An actual suspect.

In an actual crime.

I grab his arm.

“Bronson!”

“What?”

“THIS IS JUST LIKE DATELINE!”

He stares at me. Then slowly looks toward the ceiling. He mouths something I can’t quite hear. But I think it’s a prayer for strength.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm doesn’t last particularly long.

Mostly because the security guard informs me that I need to remain in the restaurant until the police arrive.