Page 28 of A Taste Of Darkness

Flora

It’s okay, just… text me next time

Why are you with Milo?

I wanted to tell her the truth so badly, but I feared she might think it was weird that I was staying with her best friend.

We were already back at Milo’s place by now. He didn’t find anything suspicious in my apartment, but he didn’t allow me to stay there either way. I was glad he didn’t want me to be on my own because I didn’t want to be either.

Sterlie

I asked him to search my apartment and install a security system so I could move back there

Flora

Why would you do that? You just came back to my place for safety reasons today

Sterlie

You guys hate me being around so much, and I get it… don’t worry about it

Flora

That’s not true. I love you, Sterls. We love having you around

Sterlie

You deserve privacy.

Oh, also… I’m going to Italy for a month to get away from here, so could you take Soup while I’m gone?

Flora

Italy? Alone?

Sterlie

Yup. Just me. I’ll be fine, though. You and Kai are wrong about it being worse there, Milo assured me.

Flora

Okay…

You’ll call me daily so I can be sure you’re still alive.

Sterlie

Yes, yes

Flora

Fine then. Yeah, we can take Soup!

“Flora and Kai will take Soup while we’re in Italy,” I told Milo as I looked up from my phone.

“Did you tell them I’m going with you?” he asked, caution in his voice.

My head shook. “No, I didn’t know if you wanted Flora to know.” After all, wasn’t there some sort of best friend code? Something like You cannot date the siblings of your best friend.