Page 3 of Charmed Forces

“Does that sound like corporate espionage to you?”

I pulled a face. “It looks more like a date to me.”

“Aww. Spies dating. It’s just likeMr. and Mrs. Smith, except presumably, these two know about it.” Lily focused her attention on them. “Do you think they’ll smash up the coffee shop?”

“No... and I don’t think they’re spies. I think they’re just two people who met at work and have been quietly dating without announcing it to their coworkers or the HR department. I just have to prove it unequivocally for my client.”

“How’re you going to prove they’re not spies at the same time? Even spies get to have a nice time with their romantic partners.”

“You don’t think proof that they’re dating is enough? Damn! Don’t even answer that. You’re right. My client will just go down theMr. and Mrs. Smithroute too. He’s convinced they’re spies. Of course he’ll think the dating is just the icing on top of the cake.” I tried not to let my shoulders sag under the weight of the realization that I had to prove something virtually unprovable. “What if I can’t find any evidence? That’llhaveto be enough.”

“It’s always been enough before.”

I glanced at Lily, wondering if she were throwing shade at me or being supportive but I couldn’t decide. I could ask but I didn’t want to do that either, just in case. Instead I said, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“They’re kissing,” screamed Lily, bouncing in her seat and pointing at my targets.

I focused my camera and snapped a series of pictures of the two kissing across the table, the man partly standing to lean forwards, their lips locked together in a chaste smooch. They broke apart, beaming mushily at each other. The woman lifted her coffee and sipped as she stared into his eyes.

“Aww. Did you get it?”

I checked my screen. “I did. At least, I can prove the dating part.”

“Unless it’s an elaborate ruse to disguise the spying.”

“I swear, my client is going to say that too.”

“Good job you’re always one step ahead.”

“I’m going to follow them for the rest of the day.” I slumped lower in my seat, waiting as a bus passed, blocking the coffee shop from view. When it was out of the way, I was relieved to see my targets were still there, gazing at each other dreamily.

“But on the plus side, I’m here and we get to catch up,” said Lily. “No baby, no husbands, no clients clamoring for attention.”

“I only saw you yesterday,” I pointed out.

“You wouldn’t believe what happened since then!” She clapped her hands.

“Tell me everything.”

“Well, bar manager extraordinaire Ruby went on a date last night and she said the guy was amazing. He asked her out again, and get this, he even texted her this morning to confirm their second date! Doesn’t he have great manners?”

“Absolutely.”

“And I took Poppy to ballet and her teacher said she’s a natural and she should try the hip-hop class too.” Lily grabbed her phone and scrolled to a video of Poppy wobbling unsteadily on her little legs clad in pink tights and a fluffy tutu.

“Doesn’t she need full control over her limbs to do hip-hop?”

“Yeah, but they said that for ballet too and it doesn’t seem to be totally important at Poppy’s age. Anyway, that’s not the only exciting thing. We had a bachelor party in the bar last night and the groom and best man both stripped. It was a lot of fun.”

“Stripped naked?”

“Yeah. I thought it might get really frisky and I’d have to throw them out but it turns out they’re both just very comfortable in their skins.”

“Okay.” I thought about it. “Aren’t they supposed to hire strippers?”

“You’d think,” said Lily with a shrug. “The best man had a very good tan. You really missed out on a great night. Next time, you should come.”

“I doubt they’ll have more than one bachelor party.”

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