Page 7 of Playful Summer

“She’s living at Emiko’s old place. I can stay there with her.”

“I’ll be honest here. I rather you both be at the house with everyone. Let me get on this guy, I’ll call Francesco too. He’s even better at me at this.”

“Thank you. And I’ll ask Piper if she’d be willing to move into the house for now. I’ll let you know.”

“And I’ll let you know who’s headed to you. You’ll have to pick them up because I know they’ll fly.”

“Okay, just let me know. Again, thank you.”

“Family. Remember?”“How do you guys attract the crazies?”He laughs.

Sebastiano hangs up and I head back out into the store. Marc is staring at my dollhouse.

“I’d like to pay you to make me and Piper a house like this. I think she’d love it.”

Okay. There’s something definitely wrong with him. And I don’t want to do anything until the others get here.

“I don’t do commission pieces.”

“Then I want to buy this one.”

“It’s not for sale.”

“Oh come on. Everything’s for sale. I’ll give you a thousand dollars for it.”

“Again. It’s not for sale.”

“And like I said. Everything’s for sale for the right price. Fine, two grand.”

I shake my head at him. “You could offer me ten grand and I’d still say no.”

I wheel the dollhouse into my office and lock it up in there. Then I do my rounds in my department to make sure no one needs help. What I really want to do is go back to Piper and make sure this asshat stays away from her.

I text my brothers.

Paxton: Lake Renegade family is on their way here

Lukas: To Wintervale?

Paxton: Yeah. Not sure who or when yet

Rhett: Is it because of that douchecanoe that’s stalking Piper?

Lukas: Wait. What the fuck is going on?

Paxton: Yeah. I called Sebastiano to ask if he could find some info on him. He said he’s going to talk to the others and they’ll be coming

Lukas: Who the fuck is the douchecanoe?

Paxton: Come to my section. It’ll be easier to explain in person

Lukas: On my way

While I wait for my brother, I keep an eye on Marc.

Piper

I try to block out the fact that Marc is here. I have no idea how he found me. It has to be a lie when he said he overheard people talking about me. Because I’ve never seen him at the new coffee place I went to back in Maine. And I never really talked to anyone there. I just spent my time writing and keeping to myself.

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