“Can I get a caramel latte?”

“Do I know you?” Her words caught me off guard, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone had recognized me.

“I don’t think so.” I no longer wanted to glare at her. Instead, I tried to hide my face to get out of this conversation.

“I think I do. Have you come in here before?”

Why did she choose to be attentive now? Five minutes ago, when I wanted her to ask to take my order, she acted like she could see right through me.

“This isn’t my normal coffee shop. I’m here with someone.” I pointed to Shiloh, hoping she would direct her focus on her.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her before. What’s her story? Are you two…” Her gaze stayed on Shiloh a beat too long if she thought she was my girlfriend.

Out of spite, I almost said yes because I wanted her to have regret. But I wouldn’t put up a beaver dam because Shiloh deserved happiness. Even if I couldn’t see what Ember had to offer, it wasn’t my choice. I was here to help, not hinder.

“No. I’m not sure if she’s seeing anyone right now, but she’s a catch.” I watched as Shiloh sipped her drink but kept her eyes glued to her puzzle book.

“Hmmm,” she was pensive, which I would take as a good sign.

“I could maybe put in a good word for you.” I didn’t know how we had gone from a who's-the-bigger-alpha showdown to me offering to hook her up, but it was organic, which usually yielded better results.

“Nah. If I see something I like, I take it. I don’t need handouts.” She gave a half-hearted shrug, and I hoped she developed a zit on the corner of her mouth.

“Right. How about that caramel latte?” This conversation was over, but now I didn’t know what to say to Shiloh.

How could I, in good conscience, set her up with this egomaniac?

“Sure, name?”

I told her and waited to the side. When Shiloh finally looked up, I smiled at her, and she returned the gesture. She was too sweet, and Ember would eat her alive.

“Fuck,” I mumbled, and just then, Ember called out, “Cat,” knowing full well that wasn’t what I had said.

Great. Not only was she full of herself, she was the typical mean girl who had to get the last word. But she had no idea who she was messing with.

Chapter 12Shiloh

Ididn’t know what was happening in the line, but Caz had been taking forever. She appeared to be studying Ember, and I wondered if my biggest fear had occurred—she realized how amazing she was and wanted to be with her, too.

I didn’t stand a chance against that competition. Maybe if I went up there, I could break the spell, and she would remember why she was here.

I stood behind her for a minute, but she didn’t acknowledge me. She was so consumed by Ember that it was like no one else was in the room. I tapped her shoulder, but she appeared so angry at the interruption that I cowered down. She did apologize before winking at me, but something was off.

I quickly returned to my table, purposely avoiding any lingering glances in that direction. Not having any information about what was going on made my mind run wild with worst-case scenarios, which only added to my awkwardness.

As I sipped my coffee, I tried to work on my crossword, but I couldn’t even read the clues as everything felt too heavy to function. When I finally gave up, I peeked in Caz’s direction, and she smiled. But it was off—too big—fake. It made me think she felt guilty. I tried not to jump to conclusions, but that was how I got most of my exercise.

When she had her coffee in hand, she joined me, but I pretended to be still engrossed in my puzzle.

“Is this seat taken?” Her voice sounded normal—no nerves or anything.

Maybe I had let my mind run away, and nothing had happened.

“By all means, please.” I waved my hand in front of the chair, and she pulled it out, sitting across from me.

“So, have you gotten any other information that might be useful?” She took a big sip of her coffee before looking like she wanted to throw it up.

It seemed like her throat was fighting her to swallow, but eventually she must have won as she opened her mouth, gasping for air.

“Will you excuse me?” she seethed through gritted teeth, and I nodded, confused. She marched up to the counter, and Ember wore that breathtaking smile. I, again, was juggling assumptions like it was a full-time job.

Was she pretending her drink was disgusting so she could get more time with Ember? It would be an excellent ploy to keep me from being suspicious—if I were someone else. I picked up my book to cover my face, but they were in my direct line of sight.

Ember’s ethereal laugh floated through the air, and I saw Caz place her hand on her forearm. There was no doubt they were flirting, and neither was paying attention to me, so I quietly collected my things and snuck out the door. There was no reason for me to stay here and watch my supposed friend try to secure a date with my dream girl.

None of it mattered. I knew this would happen, and it was time to return to reality. Besides, my lunch break was over, and work was waiting for me.

I was halfway down the block when I heard, “Shy, wait.”

I knew it was Caz’s voice, but I had never heard her call me that. She probably realized she had screwed up her program, and now she’d come to beg for forgiveness. I was tempted to feign ignorance like I didn’t hear her, but I was afraid she would be upset, so I stopped.

“Hey, where are you going?” She reached for me, but I pulled back.

“Sorry, I got a work emergency.” Why couldn’t I have come up with something more believable than that?

“Oh really? What?” I couldn’t tell if she was calling me on my lie or if she was genuinely curious.

The only problem was I didn’t have an answer.

“It’s confidential.” I nodded as if that was completely logical, and now she appeared skeptical.

“A confidential emergency in the meal planning industry?” She put her hand on her chin. “I guess I better let you get to it, then.” The fact that she didn’t stop me further bolstered my conclusions about Ember and her.

If I were gone, it would make it easier for the two of them to chat uninhibitedly.

“Thanks. And I wanted to let you know you’re off the hook for helping me. I don’t think I’m interested in Ember anymore.” Something inside of me felt the need to release her from guilt, even though she broke my heart with what she did.

“Oh? Just because you don’t want Ember doesn’t mean we can’t find someone else.”

She was so quick to dismiss Ember as an option for me that it affirmed what I already knew: she wanted her for herself.

“That’s okay. I’m good on my own. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Have a good day.” As I turned to leave, her fingers gently grasped my elbow, stopping me in place.

“What’s going on? We were making progress, and now you want to give up? I’m not gonna lie. I could see why you might not want Ember, but there are other people out there for you.” Her eyes searched mine like she was looking for something, but I didn’t know what.

I already gave her permission to go after Ember. What else could she possibly want from me? Did she need me to be with someone to clear her conscience? Or did she need me for the show? Either was a plausible option, but I had learned something from her—stop doing what I didn’t want to do.

“Really. I’m good. But thank you.” This time, I broke free from her grip with a determined tug and confidently strode off.