Page 130 of Milo

"Kiara?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you call me?"

I blink. "Right, um...is there anything you want for Christmas?"

Milo chuckles. "I want you to say yes."

I suppress a grin. "Something perhaps that I can buy in a store?"

"No," he says in a gentle tone. "I do not need anything else." He pauses, muffled voices in the distance. "I must go now, tesoro."

"Okay," I say, my body humming with elation. "Oh, and I do."

"You do what?"

"I miss you."

"I miss you too, Kiara," Milo whispers. "I would much rather be with you right now, believe me."

"Can you come back tonight instead?" He is not a threat. "I don't want to sleep alone again. It's Christmas Eve. We should be together."

"I will try, Kiara." Milo's deep breath fills my ears. "But it might be late."

"Then wake me up."

"I will. See you soon, tesoro."

"Bye." Hanging up, I enter the store and immediately dart to Julia. "Hey, Jules!" I tug on her sleeve. "Are Luisa and Claudia?—"

"We are." Luisa's voice startles me, and I spin around. "But please do not tell Milo. No one knows. Promise me, Kiara? I am trusting you."

"Would Milo care?" I ask, frowning.

"I don't know," Luisa sighs, her gaze darting to her girlfriend. "It is forbidden. I would rather not risk it. If my father ever found out—" She closes her eyes. "Please do not say anything."

"I won't," I say, squeezing her hand. "Thank you for trusting me though. That means a lot."

"And you can also trust me," she says. "I would like for us to be friends, Kiara."

"We are," I smile, nodding toward Claudia. "So how did you meet?"

"We were getting fitted for bras this past summer," Julia pipes up, tossing Luisa a smirk. "She liked it more than I did."

Luisa rolls her eyes. "The way you tell the story makes it sound so romantic, Julia. Thank you."

"I have a way with words," Julia teases, handing me a white lingerie set. "Try this one. It will make you look like a slutty angel. Perfect for your wedding night."

"Oh my God, Jules, stop," I say, shoving it back into her hands. "I haven't said yes."

"But you will!" she sings in a taunting tone, striding away from me.

"Ignore her," Luisa says. "It is your decision to make, Kiara. Do not feel pressured." She nods to the counter. "Would you like to officially meet Claudia?"

"Of course, I'd love to." I hesitate, before stating, "I'm sorry you have to keep your relationship a secret. It's not fair."

"I do not have the power to change tradition," she says, smiling at me. "But you do...or you will."

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