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    ‘Let America know you’re basically a walking magnet for disaster’, Artemis muttered.

    “Have a good day, or better yet, a good early morning,” Joffrey chuckled.

    It wasn’t even five a.m. yet.

    Joffrey suddenly paused and looked back at him. “Think carefully about that offer to work for the SIA.”

    “I’ll think about it, sir,” Luke answered as he walked away.

    While crossing the lobby, he spotted something he never expected to see there.

    “Dad, let’s go already. The taxi’s almost here,” a girl said.

    “I know, Layla. But come on, do you have any idea how long it’s been since I watched a baseball game?”

    Eddie and Layla. Luke blinked a few times, genuinely thrown off. Old man Eddie was glued to a TV showing a baseball match.

    Luke approached them.

    “What are you two doing here?” he asked.

    Layla turned, saw him, and immediately dropped her purse.

    “You scumbag? What are you doing here?” she demanded.

    “Oh, look at that, Mr. Luke! You live in Maine too,” Eddie said, delighted.

    Layla marched right up to him. “Why are you here, you jerk?”

    “I live in Maine,” Luke answered. “What else would I be doing in a state I live in? Certainly not following you.”

    Eddie let out a laugh. “You’re always so funny, Mr. Luke. That’s why we like you.”

    “No, Dad. I hate this guy,” Layla snapped, though Eddie clearly thought she was joking.

    Luke glanced to the side and froze. “Katarina?”

    His plant friend.

    “Oh no. Here we go. The creepy guy again…” Layla groaned.

    Luke leaned closer to Eddie. “I really like your daughter.”

    Just like Luke, Eddie adored plants, and Luke had learned he treated the plant like an actual daughter.

    “What?!” Layla sputtered, eyes wide.

    “Mr. Luke,” Eddie said warmly, “you’re a good young man who fights for what he loves. I truly admire that.”

    “Yes. Even when I’m away, I feel at peace knowing you’ll take care of her for me,” Luke added.

    If Layla were the one responsible for watering the plant, Katarina would die of thirst.

    “I’ve cared for her my whole life. I’m a widowed father,” Eddie said proudly. “But talking to you… I feel like my daughter will be in good hands.”

    “If you want to give her to me, I’ll take care of her for the rest of our lives,” Luke said.

    “W w what?” Layla stammered. “T the taxi’s here.”

    “Sorry our conversation has to end, Mr. Luke,” Eddie said. “But now that I know you live in Maine too, you’re welcome in our home anytime.”

    “Careful what you say. I will show up to see your daughter,” Luke warned.

    Even though you’re careful about taking care of the plant, I still need to make sure Layla doesn’t put Katarina somewhere without sunlight.

    Eddie was grateful, but had to hurry off to the taxi.

    “It’s really satisfying to meet someone who loves plants as much as I do,” Luke murmured.

    He stepped out of the SIA building and into the open air. Cars, buses, people. He took a long breath.

    “The wonderful smell of asphalt and gasoline,” he said. “God, I missed this.”

    Now it was finally time to go home.

     

    ***

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