Page 10 of Playing With Forever

“Again, respect, Tyler might only be fifteen, but he’s also six-foot, built, and is hanging around a group that might be considered boys due to their age, but they are young men—and not the good kind. Whatever they’re trying to or have already pulled Tyler into is not something you should get involved with. We’ll keep an eye on him and what’s going on in the center. Phoenix wants the footage to see if he can ID the others. At this point, it’s a precaution, but we both know how quickly it can turn into something more.”

Indeed, we both knew, and I couldn’t say I didn’t appreciate Phil’s protectiveness. It wasn’t just me he extended that to. He was a good man, with a big heart, and an even bigger protective streak.

“Thank you, Phil.”

He dipped his chin, stood, but before he left, he told me, “I saw Quinn on my way in here. She asked me to tell you she’d like to speak to you when you’re free.”

I’d been expecting Quinn, but not until the end of the day.

“Thank you. I’ll go find her now.”

Phil, being the gentleman he was, waited for me by the door, then followed me out.

After goodbyes were exchanged, I went in search of Quinn.

I didn’t get very far before my name was called.

When I turned, Lindy was there, wearing a variation of what she’d worn to dinner—faded jeans paired with a cute cropped blouse, this one had fringe at the bottom. It was both trendy and becoming. Either her mother was a brunette, or Evan’s hair had been very dark before it turned salt and pepper. And she had her father’s hazel eyes but didn’t inherit his height.

She was a teenage girl knockout.

“Hi, Lindy,” I greeted.

“Is it okay I’m here? I was in the area shopping and thought I’d swing by. But if you’re busy, I totally get it, and I can leave.”

I was always busy.

“You’re welcome here anytime you wish to come in,” I told her. “Have you been here before?”

“Yeah. With my dad. He plays basketball with the boys.” She paused and smiled. “But you know that.”

“Yes, I know he plays basketball with the boys. He also helps with homework and tutors math.”

She scrunched her nose adorably.

“Yeah, him and math.” She added a fake shudder. “I think the happiest day of my life was the day I learned I didn’t need a math credit my senior year.”

“If you promise to keep it a secret, that was my least favorite subject to teach.”

“You were a teacher?”

“Yes, when my boys were young, I was an elementary school teacher.”

Lindy smiled as if she approved of my former occupation.

“Lindy! Hey!” Shiloh called as she and Quinn turned the corner into the lobby.

So it wasn’t just Quinn who wanted to see me, but Echo’s sister Shiloh Marcou as well.

“Hey, Sunny.”

The two women embraced, and when they broke apart, Shiloh looked confused.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and see Josie.”

Shiloh’s gaze became searching. Like her brothers, Shiloh was in law enforcement. Or she had been until very recently.