Page 84 of The False Flat

“I can’t thank you enough, Deanna. It really shook me seeing him there. It was just so unexpected.”

“I saw that.” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed.

Then I told her I needed to see Grant.

“Ahh, you’re finally ready?” Piper said. My resistance to her massages seemed to make her want me to have one even more.

Grant’s smile faded when he saw my face. He maneuvered off the massage table. William replaced him.

“Piper, you’re a magician,” Grant said; then all his focus was on me. “What’s wrong?”

“Chad.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “He showed up here.”

He looked over my shoulder. “Chad’s here? Now?”

“I kicked him out,” Deanna answered, but Grant was already running out of the tent.

“Pen.” I turned at the sound of Piper’s voice but glanced back out the tent doors to where Grant had vanished.

William let out an awkward moan as Piper’s hands kneaded his back.

Orgrossmic.

“I’ll go after Grant,” Deanna said, and then she disappeared too.

“I don’t want a massage,” I started. “I really appreciate it, but—”

“Fine. You’re the one missing out because I know I could help you, but that’s not why I called you back.”

I moved from one foot to the other. “What is it then?”

“Keep an eye on your man. Have him come back and see me soon. There’s something off about his aura. He needs a cleansing.”

This is what she’d called me back for? I would do no such thing, but I said, “Sure.”

“Please, Pen. It’s needed.”

“Right. I’ll tell him. Thank you.” Then I ran out of the tent, smack into Beau’s broad chest.

“We were just coming to find you,” Erin said, her hand permanently fused to Beau’s. “There’s a crew set to clean up. We’re going to watch Netflix and chill, at Beau’s.” She winked at me. “It was an amazing evening. We have so many scheduled appointments. I knew this was a good idea. You need anything else?”

“It definitely was, and I don’t need anything.” I gave her a look that hopefully conveyed my pride, even though I was preoccupied. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She walked off, beaming. I didn’t think she even heard me.

I crossed the lawn, finally spotting Grant and Deanna talking . . . alone. Thank God.

“Don’t worry. He’s gone,” Deanna said as I came up to them. “Where’s William?”

“Having an affair with Piper in the tent.” I forced levity I didn’t feel.

“I’ll go get him,” she said. “Wonder if Piper does threesomes,” she added as she walked off.

“I don’t think she realized what she said because that doesn’t even make sense.” I casually tucked my arm into Grant’s, but his body was rigid.

“I can’t believe he showed up here.” I’d never seen Grant so agitated.

“I don’t want to talk about it. He’s gone. Will you take me home?”