608: PREDICTED

ARIEL'S POV As Tessa pulled into the parking lot of the burger joint, a police car pulled up behind us, lights flashing. My heart sank as I watched the officer approach, his expression serious. "Is everything okay, officer?" Tessa asked, scanning him pretty well. The officer gave us a curt nod. "I need to search your vehicle." His tone left no room for argument. My stomach twisted with anxiety as I exchanged a worried glance with Tessa. "Search our car? What for?" I asked, looking at the officer. He sighed, his gaze stern. "There's been a report of a criminal on the loose in this area. I just need to make sure everything checks out." "But officer, we're not criminals," Janice piped up from the backseat, her voice indignant. "We're just trying to get some burgers." The officer's expression softened slightly, but he remained firm. "I didn't say you were criminals. I just need to do my job." Reluctantly, the three of us stepped out of the car, exchanging worried glances as the