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Damn

Peaches

• • •

I spent thean eye out for Tinker We needed to talk I could’ve gone down to her shop, of course, but that felt too s worse

A gray Suburban pulled up around two in the afternoon, and I watched from above as she ju? Cli down, I brushed offthe bell Her dad answered

“Is Tinker around?” I asked

“Yes, but she’s busy,” he said His eyes were alert today, not confused “Guess we’re going to Seattle for a couple days She says she needs to use the fancy kitchen there, but I don’t like it”

He leaned towardso she can see her husband I just hope she’s not planning on getting back together with the asshole Never liked him”

Fair enough I didn’t like the fucker much, either

“Look, I really need to talk to her,” I said “It’s i It’ll only take a few minutes—think you can let me in?”

He studied me, then nodded his head “See if you can talk her out of it”

Stepping back, heroom, then disappeared into the back of the house to find his daughter I studied the place while I waited It was pretty, in an old-fashioned kind of way Lots of dark tris Lamps with beaded shades Polished hardwood floors Madeout of a different time

Tinker was like that in a way, too, with her retro hair and pinup girl outfits

“Dad says there’s so?” Tinker asked, her voice abrupt I looked up to find her standing in the archway between the living and dining rooht with strain You really fucked it up this time, asshole

“We need to talk about what happened last night,” I told her Tinker shook her head, offering me a fake-as-hell smile

“There’s nothing to talk about,” she said “So far as I’m concerned it didn’t happen End of story If you have any issues regarding the building, text me”

“Your dad says you’re headed out of town,” I countered, walking toward her She took a step back Shouldn’t back away from a predator, babe

“I’ve got an extra large order to fill,” she said quickly “I need to use the equipment in my commercial kitchen and the tea shop can’t hold it, that’s all No big deal”

Iher toward the wall “Your dad’s worried that you’re going back to your ex He got anything to be worried about?”

Sohtened