#Chapter 271: Paying It Back

Edwin Avis’s shop was quiet as the others filed in one by one, each giving me a quick nod or a whispered greeting before settling into the scattered chairs around the display table. The bell over the door chimed softly as Peter entered last, closing it gently behind him. Once everyone was there, Avis glanced around, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, Edwin. What is this secret meeting about? You sounded like we were pulling off a heist or something and needed to use my shop as our criminal headquarters.” “We might as well be,” I said, glancing around at everyone. “Audrey’s birthday is coming up and I want to surprise her with something big. Huge. Bigger than a party or an expensive necklace.” “Good luck with that,” Tina muttered from where she was perched on Avis’s worktable in the back. “The girl had got a sixth sense for sniffing out surprises. You’ll be lucky if she doesn’t figure it out before we even start.” “That’s exactly why I need all of you to help me