The plan was set for Tuesday morning. Sophie had coordinated everything with the precision of a military strategist, which was both impressive and deeply unsettling coming from someone who routinely forgot her own apron and once accidentally served a customer a plate of napkins instead of pastries.
Rio would be working the morning shift. He had been fully briefed on his role: friendly, charming, subtly flirtatious. Nothing aggressive. Nothing creepy. Just enough to make Lucas notice. Sophie had even given him a script.
"Do not follow the script," Kevin had advised. "Scripts sound unnatural. Just be yourself, but slightly more attentive than usual. Compliment her smile. Remember her order. Write a little note on her cup. That is all."
Rio had nodded solemnly, like he was receiving intelligence for a covert operation. "I understand. Friendly but not forward. Charming but not creepy."
"Exactly."
"And I get free pastries for a month."
"Correct."
