Piper laughs. “I noticed the beach one hanging in my room.”
“Yeah, It was good times.” I grin, remembering when we finished it.
“Sounds like it.” Piper grabs her camera, only this time I’m not sure if she’s acting or being genuine when she presses record.
“Guys! Look what I’m doing right now!” she says directly into the lens, then turns it around to show them. I find it kind of adorable she’s this excited about something so simple. She films herself finding a few that fit together then zooms in on the box. “I can’t wait to show you the finished product!”
I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to her vlogging, but I’ve mastered staying out of her way.
After a few more minutes, she grows bored and eventually returns to the living room. My phone rings, and I step outside. Considering a wall of windows faces the beach, I still keep my eyes on Piper.
“Hey, Mom,” I say with a grin when I answer.
“Tristan! How was the flight? How’s the beach house? Are you coming to visit us?”
“Whoa, that’s a lot of questions at once.” I blow out a breath. “Everything’s fine, but no, I won’t be able to see you guys right now. I’m on special business and can’t leave.”
“Oh,” she says, and I can hear the disappointment in her tone. “We miss you, son.”
“I miss you and Dad too. I promise I’ll make it up to you once everything settles down on my end.”
“Are you in danger?” she blurts out.
I feel bad for lying, but I don’t want her to worry. “Not really. Nothing I can’t handle. Just a stalker situation.”
“Tristan!”
“Mom, please don’t start. You promised you wouldn’t when I decided to take this job, remember?”
She sighs. “I know, it’s just hard after everything. I want you to stay safe.”
“I’m safe now that I’m at the beach house. Appreciate you letting us use it.”
“Do you know how long you’ll be there?”
I glance out at the waves and the white sand. “Not yet. Could be a few days, could be weeks. Only time will tell.”
“If things change, come see us. Oh, and your dad sends his love.”
“I will. Love you and Dad both. I’ll keep in touch.”
“Let me know if you need anything, okay? We’ll be happy to take a drive and bring whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I end the call and go inside where Piper is laid back on the couch with her feet propped up.
“I think I’m going to take a shower. I’m sticky and hot,” she announces when I walk into the kitchen.
“Alright.”
She gets up and goes upstairs like she hates life. I chuckle, wondering if Piper was an unbearable teenager who hated following her parents' rules.
The TV blares, and before I turn it off, I realize she was watching an internet entertainment show, and they’re discussing all the drama in the beauty community. It’s so much, I can’t even keep up with who’s the villain in this situation. They all seem insane. I hear the water turn on upstairs, then go to the table and add more pieces to the puzzle in silence.
Eventually, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.
Easton: Doing okay?
Tristan: Of course.
His text bubble immediately pops up.
Easton: How’s everything going? The princess surviving?
Tristan: As best she can.
Easton: So, when were you gonna tell me you’re working for someone as famous as her? Have you googled her? She’s literally like the JoJo Siwa of our time.
I shake my head.
Tristan: I’m aware of the details of my client.
Easton: Oh, talking to me like you’re all business.
He inserts an eye roll emoji.
Easton: Dude, she has millions of followers. There are pictures of her on Instagram with megastars. This is blowing my damn mind.
Tristan: Well, if she’s so popular, how come you didn’t know who she was when you saw her?
Easton: Because I only just realized. Plus, I’m too busy surfing to stay up-to-date with pop culture.
Before working for the Montgomery’s, I had no idea what the big deal was when it came to Piper. After the first month, I asked myself several times if I had lived in a damn cave because it seemed like everyone knew who she was. She’s been asked to present Grammys and Kid’s Choice Awards. There have been a few blockbuster hit movies where she had cameos too. Piper’s done so much at such a young age, and I find it impressive, regardless if I had no clue who she was. Granted, I liked to spend my free time outdoors rather than glued behind a computer screen, but to each their own.
I try to change the subject, not wanting to discuss her any longer.
Tristan: So when will you be able to stop by?
Easton: This Friday. I work a half-day and was planning to go surfing afterward, but instead, I’m acting as your personal assistant. Haha, don’t let this celebrity shit get to your head.
Tristan: Very funny. And that sounds good. I’ll see you then.
Piper eventually returns, and her wet hair is thrown up into a bun. She doesn’t give me a second glance as she walks to her phone and picks it up. Disappointment covers her face when she sees no one has called or texted. She groans, grabs her camera, then goes to the back door. Before she steps outside, I stop her.
“I’d prefer you didn’t.”
She gives me a death glare. “Do you think the boogeyman is going to get me in broad daylight while you’re packing two guns on your chest?”
I glare at her. “You have no idea who will recognize you.”
“Didn’t you say this was a private beach?”
I nod. “Yes, but that just means private access. Anyone could be out there, and you know how recognizable you are, even from a distance. There’s really no safe place for you other than inside the house and the fenced-in patio area.”
She clenches her jaw. “This is total shit. I need vitamin D. By the time I come out of hiding, I’m gonna look like Casper the freaking ghost in the middle of summer instead of being my usual sun-kissed self.”
I hold back laughter because I’m not trying to poke the beast. So I don’t say anything and just continue with the puzzle. Instead of arguing, she sits across from me and taps her fingers on the wood. I’ve become a pro at tuning her out, even when she’s staring at me so intensely.
She eventually gives up and goes back to the living room where she melts into the couch. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was wishing it would swallow her whole. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do but let her frustration run its course. I wasn’t hired to be her entertainment.
“I just don’t understand why we couldn’t have gone to my parents' mountain cabin or to their London penthouse or even the Hawaiian villa. Why are we here?”