“I’ll tell you about it later.” Tom tucked his handkerchief away. “Just know I am so ready to get out of here.”
“I’m sure,” Cypress said. “By the way, heard from Fox. He has to cancel dinner this weekend.”
“Aw, why?”
“Some new case taking him to the western part of the state,” Cypress replied. “Gave us a rain check for whenever he gets back into town. There’s a party next week, so he’s hoping to come back quick.”
“Ahouseparty with Lady Villalongo?” Tom asked casually.
“Uh huh.”
Tom could feel his face getting red. “Maybe we could go.”
“If you’d like to.” Cypress smiled warmly. “No pressure if you’re not sure about trying again.”
“I want to,” Tom insisted. “I’m ready. And if not, hey, that’s why we have safe words, right?” He glanced over at the chapel with a grumble. “Wish they worked in all aspects of my life.”
“Rough crowd?”
“No, they’re very sweet. It’s just a lot, you know?” Tom shook his head. “The living are way more stressful than the dead.”
“Well, you look great,” Cypress said, sneaking a kiss on his cheek. “Mmm, I really do love you in a suit.”
“Yeah?” Tom grinned as he smoothed out his jacket. “Not too bad, huh?”
“I like you better out of it, but hey.” Cypress winked.
“Visitation is almost over,” Tom promised. “Maybe thirty more minutes tops. I really do appreciate you bringing all those extra vases.”
“Mmm, you know most florists don’t work crazy hours like this.”
“Good thing I’m sleeping with one,” Tom teased.
Cypress laughed, glancing down the hallway toward the chapel for a moment. “So, you gotta get back in there?”
“I’ve got a few minutes,” Tom replied. “Miss Wheel and Bosco are in there helping out.”
“Yeah, I saw Miss Wheel. She helped divide up the spray for the daughters.” Cypress glanced at the door behind Tom. “Hey, what’s in there? Office?”
“Oh, it’s one of the arrangement rooms,” Tom replied. “Our old selection room. Still has a few caskets on the floor, and…” He paused. “What?”
“Mm, thinking.” Cypress grabbed Tom’s tie, curling it around his fingers and pulling him close. “Like what if I wanted to take you in there right now?”
Heart pounding, Tom anxiously stammered, “A-and do what exactly?”
“Well, I was nice enough to bring you all those vases, free of charge,” Cypress mused. “I’m sure we could come up with a few things to show your gratitude.”
Tom hurriedly glanced down at the chapel doors. No one was coming, and the visitation was nearly over. He could probably step away for a little bit and not be missed.
A surge of adrenaline made him shiver, and he agreed, “I think we can figure out something.”
“Go,” Cypress urged, letting go of Tom’s tie so he could lead the way.
Tom ran through the door of the arrangement room, quickly closing it behind them.
There was a large round table and chairs for the family to sit with the director, the walls were covered in posters advertising various urns and grave marker designs, and two caskets were on display. One was a simple metal, and the other was a very plush mahogany model with a velvet tufted interior.
“Are you ready for me?” Cypress asked, his hands already moving down to start unzipping his jeans.
