Page 107 of Forever To Me

“This is your dad. We shouldn't be talking about this," I groan.

Mack shrugs. “I got a text from Poppy. She said, ‘Come witness the moment Violet finds out she’s in love with your dad.’ So… here I am.”

I whip toward Poppy. “You summoned witnesses?”

She doesn’t even pretend to look ashamed. “Obviously. This is historic.”

I stand up too fast, knocking the stool over behind me. It hits the oil drain pan, which tips, and luckily, Poppy uprights before it can spill.

Mack whistles. “Well. That’s symbolic.”

Poppy’s trying to wipe away tears from laughing. Cami’s texting—probably live-updating the town gossip page. Mack, of course, looks delighted. “You okay?” she asks sweetly.

I glare. “No. I’m being emotionally waterboarded by my friends.”

“That’s fair,” she agrees, licking her popsicle.

Poppy snorts. “Come on, Red. Just admit it—you’ve got it bad.”

I groan. “You’re all insane.”

“And yet,” Cami says, “you love us.”

“Against my will.” I look down at my shoes, my heart pounding harder than it should. Because they’re wrong. And they’re also right. And I hate that I don’t know what to do about it.

Luckily, I don't have to think about it too much longer because Cami gets a text and frowns as she reads it. She looks up and says, "Who wants to do a little breaking and entering tonight? My pie is in a contest to win in the local category, and word on the street is Maggie cheated and had someone make one that rivals mine. And we'll see about that. I need that prize money, you guys."

We all stare at her in shock and silence.

"It's for a good cause?" she raises her eyebrows. "And we can eat the pie that we steal..."

We all raise our hands and giggle.

At 10 p.m. sharp, the four of us stand across the street from the community center, wearing all black like we’re auditioning for a low-budget spy movie. Walker is at the bar, hopefully unaware that I'm helping corrupt his daughter.

Cami adjusts her mask. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. This is so exciting!”

Poppy wiggles her fingers like is warming up for something. “We’ve got one shot, ladies. One pie. Let’s make it count.”

Mack salutes. “I’m ready.”

I rub my temples. “We’re going to end up on the Bridger Falls police blotter.”

“Worst-case scenario, we bribe Sheriff Matthews with a slice,” Poppy says with a shrug.

Fair point. He probably will want a piece if this pie is as delicious as they say. Just sayin'.

We sprint across the street, ducking behind bushes despite the town being dead quiet all while Cami hums theMission: Impossibletheme song.

“Why are we whispering?” I hiss as we crouch by the side door.

“Stealth,” Mack whispers back. “We’re pie ninjas.”

Poppy jiggles the door handle. Locked. “Plan B,” she says, pulling a tiny kit from her pocket.

“You can pick locks?” I whisper in awe.

She winks. “High school wasn’t all algebra, babe.”

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