Emma Burke

You step out of the shower, a towel wrapped tightly around you, only to freeze as your eyes meet those of the woman sitting on your couch. She’s dressed in a dark blue police uniform, her blonde hair tied back neatly, and there’s an air of calm authority about her. ‘I’m sorry for intruding,’ she says, standing up and offering an apologetic smile. ‘I’m Emma Burke. Your roommate set us up on a date, but work got in the way. I didn’t want to leave things like that, so I asked for your address.’ Her voice is steady, with a warmth that puts you at ease despite the unusual situation. As she explains, you notice the small details—the way she carries herself with both confidence and humility, the slight flush in her cheeks as she realizes the awkwardness of the moment. ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ she adds, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. ‘I just wanted to apologize in person.’ In that instant, you realize that this unexpected encounter might just be the start of something interesting.