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Holt

How long has he known how to do that?

Emmett

I’m guessing not long, or he’d have done it a long time ago. And I’m tempted to do the same.

Grayson added Knox Waters to the group chat.

Grayson

You can’t get rid of us that easily, Grumpy Bear.

Knox

I will leave again if you don’t change the name.

Grayson

Okay, fine.

Grayson changed the name of the group to F is for Friends.

CHAPTER 29

Grayson

“Hello? Anyone home?” I holler into Emmett’s house. Luddy takes off for the kitchen when Emmett’s greeting reaches us. It was only because of Kylie’s insistence that I didn’t actually buy a beekeeper suit. She said it would’ve been a waste. I told her I could wear it if Emmett ever needed help with his bees. Kylie then reminded me that I’m terrified of bees and wouldn’t actually want to help in the first place. She unfortunately won that round.

“Uncle Gray!” Elijah yells as he tears down the hallway. Emmett’s big two-story farmhouse is an incredible mix of modern and traditional. He’s done most of the work himself in the seven years he’s lived in Pine Creek Falls.

When he first bought the place, the whole town thought he was a little crazy. The house needed massive repairs to be livable. It probably would’ve been better to tear it down and start over, but Emmett was determined to keep the integrity of the house, and he’s done an incredible job.

“Eli, my man, how are you?” I squeeze the nine-year-old to me. “Dude, you’re getting tall. What the heck is up with that?”

He makes a face like I’m dumb, shoving his glasses up his nose. “My dad is super tall, and my grandpa was too. Genetics indicate I should also be tall.”

“Correct as always, kiddo. What are you reading about right now?” As we walk through the living room and into the kitchen, Elijah tells me about the architecture books that have piqued his interest.

“I’ve been building my own buildings out of LEGO, but you can only do so much with them.”

“He says while that castle sits on the table there, impressing me every time I walk by it.” Emmett nods toward their formal dining room table, where a massive castle spans the surface.

“Holy shit, dude. This is incredible.” I lean down to take in every detail. There are multiple floors with a staircase to access them, and rooms he’s designed for specific purposes. When I glance back at Eli, his cheeks are flushed.

“Can I play with it?” London asks, peering up at the castle with wide eyes.

“Not this one, sweetheart, but I bet if you asked, Eli might be willing to build one that you can play with.” I raise an eyebrow at him.

He shrugs. “I can do that.”

London gasps. “Yes!”

Eli grabs Luddy’s hand and leads her into the living room, where he pulls out a storage container full of LEGO.

In the kitchen, Emmett is putting the finishing touches on his snack tray. It’s a cruder version of the charcuterie board Kylie was working on when I left the house.

“Emmaline, my valentine, how are you this fine evening?”