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Through the window, I spot him by the bar flirting with a waitress. Rob smiles and whispers something in her ear. The girl looks barely legal. She laughs and points to the detective badge hanging around his neck. He proudly holds it up to show off.

Perfect. Things are going according to plan. Fluffing my hair, I pull open the door and step inside.

Eyes turn my way as I walk toward Rob. When the waitress spots me, her expression changes. She pretends to jot down an order and then leaves. I step up beside Rob and smile.

“Well, hi there, sexy,” Rob says, unable to resist flirting. Alcohol is already heavy on his breath.

“Hi there yourself, handsome. I hope I’m not being too forward, but I think you’re pretty hot.”

“Is that so?” Rob may as well be a peacock with how he preens.

Idiot.

I bite my lip.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve seen you in here before. I always remember a pretty face.”

Gag.

I lean closer and run my nail over the back of his hand.

“How would you feel about skipping the formalities and finding someplace quieter?”

I bat my eyelashes at him and know he’s going to say yes. Rob is a manwhore. I’ve been watching him long enough to know that he doesn’t turn down a sure thing.

Rob’s eyes predictably light up. I’ve been playing it very cool and keeping my distance. But all my planning is now in place and the wheels are in motion. It’s time to move things along.

He smiles, wraps his arm around my waist, then kisses me like we’re already dating.

“What a coincidence. I was just getting ready to leave for the night. Want to come back to my place for a nightcap?”

A devilishly wicked grin spreads across my face as I run my finger down his chest.

“I’d love nothing more,” I lie sweetly.

Rob…you’re just a means to an end.

“Damn, you’re perfect for me. Let’s go.”

Grabbing my hand, Rob tugs me toward the exit, and I sigh with happiness.

It’s going to happen soon…I can feel it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

EMILY

Sweat drips down my forehead as I close the doors on the delivery van. It’s the last load of arrangements. I’ve been back and forth from Alden’s office to the shop all day, and I am officially drained.

I’ve underestimated the size of this job. Yes, it will easily keep my doors open, but with the weddings and funerals I’ve booked, it’s overwhelming. It’s obvious that I need an extra pair of hands and more storage space. We can only keep so many arrangements here at a time, and we are scrambling between deliveries.

Sam and Kai are gone for the day, and all that’s left is to lock up. I bolt the back door and move through the store to the front, checking that everything is put away. It’s time to shower and dress for my dinner with Alden.

Thinking of my date with Alden tonight makes me light-headed with happiness. But that feeling disappears when the front door opens, and I see who it is—Jen, Rob’s old partner. She strolls in like she owns the place.

Long coat, dress slacks, and a blouse. Is she trying to intimidate me? She looks like she is playing dress-up as an FBI agent.