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Grandpa Chris snorts. “You’re back to overworking yourself, aren’t you?”
I wave a hand. “You exaggerate.”
“We can’t help worrying about you. It’s been almost four years, and you…” Grandpa Gabe sighs.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
“Why don’t you join us for dinner?” Grandpa Gabe suggests.
“No, Derek—”
“The invitation is open to both of you, and we won’t take no for an answer,” Grandpa Chris insists.
“We have to talk to the realtors. Why don’t I text you later and see if we can—”
“Have I ever mentioned you’re a terrible liar, just like your father?” Grandpa Gabe glares at me.
“Mattie is a terrible liar.” Grandpa Chris nods. “We’ll see you at six thirty at the house.”
“I’ll go as long as you keep it to just the two of you,” I warn them.
Grandpa Chris arches an eyebrow. “How about your parents?”
“Nope. You invite them, and they’ll drag the others. The next thing you know, he’s surrounded by Deckers. Derek isn’t ready for that.”
“You make us sound like a rash.” Grandpa Chris laughs and looks at Derek. “We’re not that bad.”
“No, but you can be too extra, and he’s just a colleague.”
“Fine, we’ll try our best to keep it between us.”Grandpa Chris hugs me.
I don’t believe him. We need to figure out a way to get out of Seattle before my family gets the wrong idea.
ChapterForty-Eight
Derek
As Piper’sgrandparents walk away, I’m left with more questions than answers. The year and some months I’ve known her have taught me that even when she looks happy, there’s sadness in her eyes. That’s not all I can read. I know when she’s uncomfortable or doesn’t want to do something.
I caught on right away that she didn’t want to have dinner with them. She loves them, but she’d jump on a plane and leave right about now if she could. While she’s saying goodbye to her grandparents, I request a charter for three o’clock. That’ll give us plenty of time to finish any transaction regarding the building and to leave town before we have to be at her grandparents’ place for dinner.
Once they’re out of sight, Piper sighs.
“Did I just meet Chris Decker and Gabe Colt?” It never occurred to me that she was also related to Gabe Colt, and now that I’ve seen her close to her grandfather, I can see a slight resemblance to him.
Mom would be the one fangirling if she were alive. She was a big fan of Gabe Colt.
Piper nods. “Yeah, those are my grandparents. Thank you so much for not making it a big deal.”
Although I’m understanding, and I plan on getting her out of here before she has an internal meltdown, I cross my arms and narrow my gaze. “I tried my best. So why don’t we want to go to dinner with them? Are you ashamed of me?”
“You don’t understand my family.”
I snort. “Obviously. Why don’t you try to give me the synopsis?”
“There are a lot of them.” She clears her throat. “A lot. They interrogate the newbies and overwhelm them with questions.”
She may not exactly be lying, but she’s hiding something. One of her grandparents mentioned worrying about her because it’s been almost four years. Is that how long her fiancé has been dead?
