SEVENTEEN

The BBQ party is still alive and well; the men are surrounding the grill, talking about men's stuff, and the ladies are in their own space doing the same thing, especially since the two of them are close to giving birth. The children are in the sandbox with the elderly guardians watching over them.

My eyes roamed around, trying to look for that person. Since the time I arrived, he was nowhere to be found.

"Looking for someone?"

My heart almost jumps at the sound of Effie by my side.

"No," taking a sip of my drink and lying. "Just being precautious." The two men were standing next to Rex at the grill, and my eyes landed on the two men at the grill.

They look familiar. Judging by how they act, I smell trouble coming from them once they look at me.

"Seth went out to buy more ice."

"Okay," sounding nonchalant, like I'm looking for him. But my eyes were on those men.

"Anyways, you don't need to be on the job, Terry."

"It's a habit," I tell her and look over at Persephone, who has little Za