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A knock sounds at the bungalow’s door.

“They’re here.” Gio swings me into a standing position and then walks me backward until I bump into a kitchen chair and sit. He kisses my forehead and rushes to the front door.

Gio cracks it open a few inches and whispers to the person on the other side. I watch with suspicion as he snaps it shut and returns, his smile brighter than before. I don’t trust it for a second.

I lean to the side to see around him and focus on the man lingering on the stoop. Then, another person appears with what looks like a huge box. My intuition prickles.

“More games?” I grip the seat of the chair and peer up at him.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” He tugs me to stand but then spins me toward the back door. With his chin hooked over my shoulder, he whispers near my ear, “Now go, I have to prepare.” He pinches my butt, and I bounce forward with a yelp.

“Prepare?” I laugh. “If I have to leave so you can prank me, you’re losing your edge.”

“Then why do you look so worried?” he asks as he edges me outside.

I step outside on the pool deck and face him, but just as I do, he shuts the slider and turns the lock. Behind the glass, he grins at my frown. Then he yanks the curtains closed, blocking my view.

“You can never outdo me. I will always win!” I call out as I knock on the glass.

Gio reaches a hand between the curtains and waves good-bye.

With a huff, I turn toward the pool and my new mission. I need to uncover what he’s up to. I settle my sunglasses on the bridge of my nose and scan the pool. My gaze narrows on our weakest link.

Matt hangs from a unicorn float, singing what sounds like a drunk karaoke breakup song. When he hits an off-key high note and cries a little, I almost feel bad for what I’m about to do.

Almost.

I settle on the edge of the pool, my feet perched on the submerged step.

Matt sighs dramatically. “If you’re here to cheer me up, don’t bother.”

“You know, Matto, I think it’s better to embrace the feels.” I lean my back against the stair’s railing and lift my chin to the sun. “You should let it all out. A good cry can make everything better.”

“I say that all the time.” Matt paddles in my direction, dragging his melancholic mood closer.

“It’s crazy what Gio’s doing,” I say, keeping my words generic, like I’m completely clued in on what’s going on inside the house.

“It doesn’t make any sense.” Matt smacks the water with a splash, his sadness flipping to anger.

“What can you do?” I shake my head to keep him talking.

Matt stares at the clouds in what appears to be contemplation. And honestly, I think he’s deeper than everyone gives him credit for. In fact, he’s a lot of things people don’t give him credit for—best party man, best bed head, best fuzzy-bathrobe wearer, best co-conspirator of googly-eye pranks, best obnoxious laugh, and definitely the best loyal friend.

But best secret-keeper? Definitely not.

“Bossman has been working hard for years. He finally has important people wanting to collaborate, and he doesn’t want anything to do with it because, well . . .”

Matt’s arm swings in my direction. His words trail off, but I’ve already caught his meaning.

“Me?” I squeak. These are not insights to a crazy prank currently taking place inside the house. Instead, I’m getting something juicer.

“Oh shit. You didn’t know?” Panicked, Matt swims closer. “You cannot tell Gio I told you. He’ll fire my ass, and I really need this job. It’s the only thing I’m good at, and all the office plants would die without me, and⁠—”

“Matt!” Casey glares down at us.

“I don’t understand.” I shake my head. “What’s happened?” I glance between the two.

Casey leans on the railing, and I think she’s ready to put this conversation to an end until she whispers, “I guess we’ll both get fired.” Her gaze darts between Matt and the house like she’s watching for Gio.