“That’s all the way on Colfax,” Sam said, turning in her seat to see Babushka.
“Yes, vell, they need a tour of Denver.” Babushka lifted her hands like,Whatchagonnado?
Sam pressed her knuckles against her lips because these poor photographers had no idea what they were in for with Babushka.
“You have forgiven Tanner, yes?” Babushka asked nonchalantly.
“Uh-huh.” Sam couldn’t hold back the smile. “I’m here to tell him.”
“Vell, you must do something epic to tell him. Something to make a statement.” Babushka slapped the back of Sam’s seat as she spoke.
Three more times of the same Babushka stop-park-and-go-maneuver, and all three of them were in hysterics. The last time, the paps weren’t taking the bait, so Ashley got out of the car and popped the trunk. Then when they started to get out of their vehicles, she slammed it closed and hopped back inside. Taking off once again.
“I know what I’m gonna do.” Sam said. “I do. I have an idea, but I’m gonna need your help.”
“Help is vhat I do best! Back to the Peony,” Babushka announced. “They are ready.”
“Who’s ready?” Sam asked.
“Everyone,” Babushka assured, as though this was genuinely assuring her of something.
“What are they all going to do?” Sam asked, leery of the answer.
“You vill see.” Babushka clapped softly.
“Does it involve those glow-in-the-dark phallic stickers you made last month?” Sam asked. She’d confiscated the first batch, but had a hunch there was more.
“Do not vorry,” Babushka enunciated each word. “They dissolve in the rain.”
“I’m still worried.” Sam covered her face.
“I vill not lead you vrong,” Babushka assured.
When Ashley pulled into the circular drive once more, the paparazzi were still there. Still clicking away. But the residents of the Purple Peony had made a human shield for Sam to get inside.
Ashley pulled up to the opening.
“Go, Go! Go!” Babushka yelled. “They can’t hold for long.”
Sam didn’t tuck and roll out of the car, but she also didn’t wait for a full stop, either. That miscalculation sort of knocked her off her balance. She did not fall, though. But she ran quick into the safety of the Purple Peony and their security doors.
Then she told Babushka her plan.
And Babushka loved it.
“Ve vill need Dimefront,” Babushka announced.
They would. She would. Sam needed Dimefront.
Chapter Twenty-Five
TANNER
Tanner was not good company.
Hell, if he could get away from himself, he would. That’s how badly his company sucked.
Because Sam was there. She was in Denver and she hadn’t texted that she was coming. Hadn’t reached out when she arrived. He’d had to hear about it from Entertainment Now and then Mach and Courtney.
