Easton: Oh, talking to me like you’re all business.
He inserts an eye roll emoji.
Easton: Dude, she has millions of followers. There are pictures of her on Instagram with megastars. This is blowing my damn mind.
Tristan: Well, if she’s so popular, how come you didn’t know who she was when you saw her?
Easton: Because I only just realized. Plus, I’m too busy surfing to stay up-to-date with pop culture.
Before working for the Montgomery’s, I had no idea what the big deal was when it came to Piper. After the first month, I asked myself several times if I had lived in a damn cave because it seemed like everyone knew who she was. She’s been asked to present Grammys and Kid’s Choice Awards. There have been a few blockbuster hit movies where she had cameos too. Piper’s done so much at such a young age, and I find it impressive, regardless if I had no clue who she was. Granted, I liked to spend my free time outdoors rather than glued behind a computer screen, but to each their own.
I try to change the subject, not wanting to discuss her any longer.
Tristan: So when will you be able to stop by?
Easton: This Friday. I work a half-day and was planning to go surfing afterward, but instead, I’m acting as your personal assistant. Haha, don’t let this celebrity shit get to your head.
Tristan: Very funny. And that sounds good. I’ll see you then.
Piper eventually returns, and her wet hair is thrown up into a bun. She doesn’t give me a second glance as she walks to her phone and picks it up. Disappointment covers her face when she sees no one has called or texted. She groans, grabs her camera, then goes to the back door. Before she steps outside, I stop her.
“I’d prefer you didn’t.”
She gives me a death glare. “Do you think the boogeyman is going to get me in broad daylight while you’re packing two guns on your chest?”
I glare at her. “You have no idea who will recognize you.”
“Didn’t you say this was a private beach?”
I nod. “Yes, but that just means private access. Anyone could be out there, and you know how recognizable you are, even from a distance. There’s really no safe place for you other than inside the house and the fenced-in patio area.”
She clenches her jaw. “This is total shit. I need vitamin D. By the time I come out of hiding, I’m gonna look like Casper the freaking ghost in the middle of summer instead of being my usual sun-kissed self.”
I hold back laughter because I’m not trying to poke the beast. So I don’t say anything and just continue with the puzzle. Instead of arguing, she sits across from me and taps her fingers on the wood. I’ve become a pro at tuning her out, even when she’s staring at me so intensely.
She eventually gives up and goes back to the living room where she melts into the couch. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was wishing it would swallow her whole. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do but let her frustration run its course. I wasn’t hired to be her entertainment.
“I just don’t understand why we couldn’t have gone to my parents' mountain cabin or to their London penthouse or even the Hawaiian villa. Why are we here?”
I contemplate ignoring her. “You’re smarter than that, Piper.”
“What do you mean? At least we’d have plenty of amenities—a home gym, indoor heated pool, and air-conditioning. This is the bottom of the barrel.”
“You don’t think Jack has the addresses to every place your parents own? Or that the paps won’t be waiting for you to show up at one of them? Think about it. The only reason you’re safe here and won’t be found is because this place isn’t on anyone’s radar.”
She clenches her jaw, knowing I’m right.
“That doesn’t make this any less painful,” she mumbles.
“Yeah, well, it’s not my idea of fun either.”
She acts offended, grabs her camera, and then marches upstairs. I wait for a door to slam, but surprisingly, it doesn’t happen.
CHAPTER FIVE
PIPER
DAY 4
I feel like I’m losing my mind. It’s gotten to a point where time seems to be standing completely still, and I’m just going through the motions until another boring day approaches. Though I can call and text on the burner phone, there isn’t much else I can do on it. I’m trying not to bother my sister since she’s on her honeymoon. My parents have zero sympathy for my lack of necessities and remind me it’s only temporary.
I swear, I will never take the small things for granted again. Grocery delivery, laying out, air-conditioning, and my freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want. The humidity in Florida near the coast is deadly, and I hate it. Not to mention, the beach house looks like it was last updated in the sixties.