Page 27 of A Taste Of Darkness

If they found her there, only God knew what they’d have done to her.

To my surprise, Sterlie didn’t seem opposed to my request. I expected a lot more hesitation from her, even yelling, but she simply gasped in excitement.

“Would you do that?!” She stood in seconds and smiled at me so brightly, she could’ve outshone the sun if she tried to. “I wasn’t going to ask, but oh, my God, Milo, I had been silently praying you’d offer to come with me.”

Her arms swung around my stiff body, but with every second she held me, I could feel myself loosen up.

This was the first time she really hugged me, not just because she was relieved someone saved her.

The first time the heart inside of my chest was beating harder than it ever had.

Another addition to a collection of memories that I’d never forget. Funny enough, most of those memories had her in it.

“I’d feel so much better knowing someone was there with me. Sure, I could’ve asked a friend, but they’d just want to stay at the beach all day, and I want to party, you know? And, oddly enough, I think you’d look out for me, wouldn’t you?” Sterlie looked up at me. Her blue eyes pierced my soul. Her body was still pressed to mine, the palms of my hands feeling her. “And you speak Italian, don’t you? That’s great because then we can never get lost since you’ll be able to read street signs and ask locals. Well, I’m sure some locals speak English, but I think they’d much rather speak Italian. It doesn’t matter, actually. So, thank you.” She squeezed me tighter again and pressed her beautiful face right into the middle of my chest. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”

My heart was currently feeling all sorts of things. None of those emotions were familiar to me, but perhaps I could name them one day.

I guess I had a couple of weeks to figure it out.

With Sterlie around me for a while, I was sure these flutters, this pain, and the calmness would return someday.

15

TO BE RICH LIKE MILO

Sterlie Adams

Flora

Where the hell are you?

Pick up your goddamn phone!

I’m freaking out!

I stared at my sister’s message for about a minute, trying to understand how it took her two hours to realize I was gone.

Flora

I thought you went into your room to get some alone-time after earlier, but I just checked and you’re not there. In fact, you’re not anywhere.

Okay, that explained it.

I didn’t doubt her worry, she was still my sister even if she started to put Kai and her new family over me. Though I wondered, if she wasn’t married, would she have noticed my absence earlier?

It didn’t matter anyway. I was just being dramatic because, in the past twenty-four hours, I learned that I was being targeted for something I most definitely had nothing to do with. I knew I was being watched, that was clear as day. Okay, well, I still had no idea why they were watching me of all people, but perhaps with Milo around, I’d find out eventually.

Sterlie

I’m with Milo… I forgot to text you. Sorry!

Flora

I WAS ABOUT TO CALL THE POLICE!!

Sterlie

I said I was sorry

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