Dutch adjusted his collar nervously as he sat across from Melvina at a cozy corner table in El Sol Wraps, a local hotspot known for its mouthwatering wraps and laid-back ambiance. The warm glow from the string lights hanging above created a romantic atmosphere, and Dutch couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. Tonight felt special, and he wanted everything to be perfect.

"This place is amazing, Dutch," Melvina said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "I can't wait to try the veggie wrap. I heard it's their specialty."

"I'm glad you like it," Dutch replied with a smile. "I thought it'd be a nice change from the usual spots."

They were just about to dig into their wraps when the door swung open, and a loud, musty figure stumbled in. The man reeked of alcohol, his hair disheveled, and he was clad in a dirty wife beater that had seen better days. His eyes were bloodshot, and he swayed slightly as he made his way to the counter.

"Uh-oh, hopefully, you won't have to deal with him, babe," Melvina said, a hint of concern in her voice. "He looks like trouble."

Dutch nodded, keeping a watchful eye on the man. "Let's hope he just gets his food and leaves."

But the situation quickly escalated. The man, now standing by the counter, yelled incoherently and demanded water. The server, clearly uneasy, handed him a glass. Without warning, the man dumped the water over his head, drenching himself and creating a puddle on the floor. He let out a loud, guttural yell that silenced the entire restaurant.

Melvina looked at Dutch, her eyes wide with concern. "This is getting out of hand."

Dutch stood up, his detective instincts kicking in. He approached the man, his demeanor calm yet authoritative. "Hey, buddy, you need to leave now. I'm a detective, and you're causing a disturbance. Let's take this outside, alright?"

The man blinked at Dutch, seemingly disoriented. "A detective? Man, I just wanted some water! It's hot in here!"

"I understand," Dutch said patiently, but firmly. "But you're disrupting everyone here. You need to go, or I'll have to call for backup."

The man grumbled but reluctantly shuffled towards the door. The restaurant staff and patrons watched with a mixture of relief and admiration as Dutch escorted the man out, his presence calming the situation.

Melvina watched from their table, a look of admiration in her eyes. As Dutch returned, she gave him a warm, appreciative smile. "That was impressive, Dutch. You handled that so well."

Dutch shrugged, a modest smile playing on his lips. "Just doing my job. I didn't want him to ruin our night."

"Well, you certainly saved it," Melvina said, her eyes twinkling with affection. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Dutch blushed slightly, feeling a surge of pride. They resumed their meal, the atmosphere now even more intimate than before. The wraps were as delicious as promised, and the conversation flowed easily between them.

Dutch couldn't help but notice the admiration in Melvina's eyes as they finished their meal. The earlier disturbance had not only showcased his ability to handle a tricky situation but also brought them closer together. He took a sip of his drink and looked at her, a playful smile spreading across his face.

"You know, Melvina, I bet you're an amazing forensic analyst," Dutch said, his tone warm and genuine. "The way you handle evidence and analyze everything… It's impressive."

Melvina blushed, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink. "Thank you, Dutch. That means a lot coming from you."

Dutch chuckled softly, leaning in slightly. "Can you imagine if that whole scene with the drunk guy had been an actual case? I'd be out there dealing with him, and you'd be taking DNA samples from his glass to solve the mystery."

Melvina giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, that would be something. I'd probably have to analyze the water too, just in case!"

They both laughed, the tension from earlier dissipating entirely. Dutch loved the way Melvina's laughter sounded—light, carefree, and full of life. He felt a warmth in his chest, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Come on," Dutch said, standing up and offering his hand to her. "Let's get you home."

Melvina took his hand, her heart fluttering at the touch. They walked out of the restaurant, the cool night air wrapping around them as they made their way to Dutch's car. He opened the door for her, and she slid into the passenger seat, a soft smile playing on her lips.

The drive to Melvina's apartment was quiet but comfortable, the kind of silence that spoke volumes. Dutch couldn't stop glancing at her, marveling at how beautiful she looked in the moonlight filtering through the car windows. Melvina, too, stole shy glances at him, her heart racing with anticipation.

When they arrived at her apartment, Dutch walked her to the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hardly believe how quickly he had fallen for her, but there was something about Melvina that felt right.

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Dutch," Melvina said, her voice soft and filled with warmth. "I had a great time."

"I did too," Dutch replied, a shy smile tugging at his lips. He could feel his cheeks heating up, and he was sure he was blushing like a schoolboy.

Melvina hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching his. "Would you… would you like to come in for a bit? Maybe for a cup of coffee or something?"

Dutch's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure if he was ready to take that step, but the way Melvina looked at him made it hard to say no. "I should probably get going, we have work tomorrow" he stammered, his face flushing even more.

Melvina looked down "Right! See you at work Dutch!"

She ran inside, her heart racing. She would have to wake up and keep everything a secret again.