Page 3 of Stolen Moments

“Fly safe. Oh! And don’t forget to text when you get there.” She’s got the mom tone down to a T.

“I will.” Rylann dips out of view with a nod, leaving me with Jace.

“Wish you could have stayed to celebrate,” he grumbles.

“Me too. It sounds like there will be a big Miller bash this Christmas to celebrate.” I lift my drink into view to toast the happy couple.

“Celebrate, we will. Thanks again, bro. I couldn’t have done all this without you. I heard Rhys ask about the school performance and I’ll send you the details later. It means a lot to us that here for him.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. He’s my guy. Congrats again. I’ll let you two get back to celebrating.”

“Thanks, Mase.”

“Don’t forget, Mills,” Rylann shouts in the background.

“I know, I know, Momma Ry. Text when I land.” I salute my goodbyes to the phone and end the call.

I finish my drink and drop a twenty on top of the bar. Standing up from the stool, I take another look around, hoping for another glimpse of the stunning creature that made my heart stop.

“Looking for the brunette?” the bartender asks, eyebrow arched.

My hackles rise. I don’t like that this guy has also noticed her.

What the fuck is that all about?

I take a deep breath and nod.

“I see her around often. Orders an Aperol Spritz every time and never utters a word. Unless she’s arguing on the phone.” He shrugs before walking off.

I don’t know whether to be impressed that this guy remembers his customers or annoyed that he noticed her. This feeling in my gut says the latter. She’s not for him to be looking at. Only me.

What?

I shake off my unease and that unexpected thought. I don’t know where that came from, but what scares me the most and sends my stomach sinking is…

What if I never see her again?

Chapter two

Emery

December

“Chris, please,” I whineinto the screen.

He vehemently shakes his head, his handsome face solemn. “Nope. No way. I’m done.”

“You promised.”

“Liar,”he hisses, pointing at me.

I am lying, but I don’t want to spend the holidays without my baby brother again. I hate being away from him as it is.

My shoulders drop in defeat. I knew I would never win this fight with him.

“Fine. I’ll go by myself,” I whine again.

“Why are we even having this conversation? You’re coming here to have arealChristmas before you leave me for the wasps we know as our bio parents. Same as last year—that was the deal. I told you, I’m not going back just so they belittle me or pretend I don’t exist. I am not a second-class citizen, and I won’t let them treat me like that anymore. Neither should you, Emmy. Our so-called parents can stop paying my tuition for all I care. I’ll figure it out. My scholarship covers some stuff anyway.”

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