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I look at Alibi. He looks at me.
“Roman knows when I'm following him.”
Alibi yawns.
“But Roman isn't here.”
His tail thumps.
“Exactly.”
I watch Beck disappear inside Bramble & Bean.
Roman is impossible to follow. But maybe Beck isn't.
“Oh my God.”
I look at Alibi. “You're about to become an accessory to stalking.”
He sneezes.
“Don't judge me. I rescued you.”
Twenty minutes later, I realize Beck drinks coffee very slowly.
I sit in my car, watching the entrance to Bramble & Bean while Alibi sleeps beside me.
“This is boring.”
Alibi doesn't move.
“How does Roman do this?”
He’s silent, eyes still closed.
“Seriously. I've been doing it for twenty minutes, and I'm already losing my mind.”
Alibi snores.
I sigh.
Five minutes later, the door finally opens. Beck walks out carrying a coffee.
I straighten. “Target acquired.”
Alibi lifts his head.
“Sorry. I've always wanted to say that.”
Beck gets into his truck.
I don't start my car immediately.
I don't pull out directly behind him.
I wait for another vehicle to pass, then start the engine.
Beck exits the parking lot.