Page 64 of Too Fast To Fall
Ugh.Apparently, people werenotsimply regarding Victoria’s comments as gossip. “Well, he’s not on this walk with me, is he?”
“No. He isn’t. Can you tell me when he’ll be coming home?”
Piper stepped closer. She’d never hit another living being in her life, but she sure felt like changing that. “I’m not answeringthat.”
He raised his camera and took another photo.
“Stop that. Nobody cares about me.”
“They do now. You’re dating a Formula One driver. You’re a public figure.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No. You’re wrong.”
He held up his hands. “Look, Miss, don’t get mad at me. A guy’s gotta work. I’ve got one kid at home and my wife is pregnantand it’s hard to make money as a photographer. Every fool with a phone is trying to take my job.”
Dammit.If ever there was a good excuse, that was it. “Just stop following me, okay? You’re making me feel unsafe.”
“I’d never hurt you. All I want is a photo of you and Emilio. Together. If you give it to me, I’ll go away.”
Piper felt certain Emilio would never go for it. And Piper agreed. Why feed the beast? “Sorry. I can’t help you.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Just don’t yell at me when you see me outside his house.”
“But I can’t help you.”
“And I have to find a way to get paid.”
Piper looked down at Gus, who delivered one of his sweet puppy-dog faces. This argument was not worth having. “Good luck catchingEmilio. He’s stealthy and he’s used to dodging you guys.”
“Sounds like a challenge to me.”
“It’s not.” She walked away.
Back at the house, Piper was hanging Gus’s leash in the back hall when she got a text from Harmony.
Can you send me the ingredients in the dog treats? You don’t have to share the recipe. I just want to ask my team if thisis something that can be manufactured at scale.
Sure.
Piper typed out the very simple list. This seemed like such an unlikely venture. Harmony would probably look at the ingredientsand decide the recipe was painfully obvious and simply make her own version.
Perfect! Also, do you have a lawyer?
A lawyer? She was a dog nanny, for God’s sake.
I don’t. But I can find one.
She supposed she’d ask Emilio for help with that.
No worries. Let me work on these ingredients and I’ll get back to you.
A few moments later, there was a follow-up.
Fresh egg whites or dried?
