Scott lived and worked in northern New Jersey. Hayley was a rising star in the world of event planning and had a great apartment in New York City.

“Call me crazy,” Hayley had said to Regan. “But how many sixteen-year-old boys want to spend nearly every Saturday night with Papa Bear?”

“Not many,” Regan agreed.

Hayley’s words came spilling out. “Scott can spend the day with the kid, then drive across the George Washington Bridge and have dinner with me. He’s done it a few times, but I haven’t seen him on a weekend in over a month. It’s summertime. God forbid we should ever go to the beach like normal couples do. I’m going crazy. We have such a good time when we’re together. He seems to really like me. And I like him. Maybe he does need time before getting involved in another relationship. But if he is giving me a line, I want to know now. He certainly loves going to the parties I bring him to—maybe a little too much.” Hayley paused. “Regan, can I hire you to check him out?”

“Of course, Hayley,” Regan had said. “When are you supposed to see him again?”

“Thursday.”

“What’s he doing the next few nights?”

“Beats me.”

“I can start today by following him after work.”

“Perfect!”

On Monday and Tuesday, Regan had tailed Scott after he left his office. Both nights he’d gone to the gym, then straight home. Yesterday, after putting in late hours the two nights before, Jack left work early and accompanied Regan on her surveillance.

Regan reached for the phone. Here goes nothing, she thought, as she dialed Hayley’s number.

“Regan!” Hayley cried, answering on the first ring. It sounded as if she were out on the street—horns were blowing and a siren was wailing in the distance. “Scott just texted me he has to cancel our date tonight. He said he’d call later. Do you have any news?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I can tell by your tone it’s not good.”

Regan frowned. “No, it isn’t.”

Hayley groaned. “He really wanted to come to the premiere with me last night, but I couldn’t bring anyone. There was such tight security with all those stars. He even called me yesterday, hinting around for an invitation. Where did he end up?”

Oh boy, Regan thought. Here goes. “Hayley, he was out with someone who—”

“I knew he must be dating someone else!” Hayley interrupted. “Did they look like they were having a good time?”

“Well,” Regan said, then paused. “Hayley, I might as well just say it. Scott got engaged last night.”

“Engaged?!”

“Yes. Jack was with me. We followed Scott from his office to a restaurant an hour south. After he’d gone inside, we waited for about fifteen minutes, then went in and sat at a table near his. He was with a woman …”