“Inoticed.”
Done with their PB&J sandwiches, the twins push to their feet. Fenway leaps up as well, tail wagging, all too eager for another round of fetch. The tennis ball is already in his mouth. I swear, he’s doubled in size in the last weekalone.
“Come ooooon,” Potter says, tugging me up. “Let’s go,slowpoke!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming.” I stand and brush the grass offmybutt.
“Lila.”
The sound of a throat clearing makes meglanceup.
I blink in surprise when I see Duncan standing there, looking much more himself than the last time I laid eyes on him. The black eye has mostly faded, he’s showered and shaved, and his clothes no longer look wrinklier than anoctogenarian’sass.
“Kiddos,” I say slowly. “Go throw the ball with Fenway by the tree, where I can see you. I’ll be there in just aminute,okay?”
The twins are happy to oblige, grabbing Fenway’s leash and walking over to the clearing. I watch them for a moment before turning to look at my brother. He’s staring at thepuppy.
“Fenway?”
I shrug. “He neededaname.”
“I’m glad you kept him.” His eyes move to mine. “You’ll make a much better owner than Iwould’ve.”
“Duncan. What are youdoinghere?”
“I needed to see you.” He swallows. “To make thingsright.”
“Did you get my messages? There are some bad people looking for you. They came after me, nearly kidnapped me from Phoebe’swedding!”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Duncan’s face is the picture of remorse. “I didn’t think, in a million years, they’d actuallytargetyou.”
I dart a glance around, on high alert — just like I’ve been for the past week. My phone is rarely out of my hand, always ready to call for help ifnecessary.
“Duncan, you need to be careful. The two who attacked me are in custody now, but there could be moreofthem.”
“There won’tbemore.”
My browslift. “What?”
“I took care of it. Paid offmydebt.”
“You took care of a hundred-thousand-dollarloan.”
He nods, looking speculative. “Almost two hundred thousand, actually, when all was said and done. Interest is a realkiller.”
“Where did you get that kind of money?” I feel my face pale. “Oh my god, you robbed a bank,didn’tyou?!”
He snorts. “No, I didn’t do anythingillegal.”
“Explain.”
“ThinFlection,” he tells me, voice hushed with excitement. “My patent. I sold it to a huge beauty supply company. They think it’s going to be huge. Bigger than peel-off facemasks!”
“As in, the mirrors that make you look skinny even if you’re not?” I askdoubtfully.
“Yes! I told you, if I could just find the rightmarket…”
“Are youserious?”