Page 11 of Neverland

I have also taken a risk. It was stupid to name a bookNeverlandand have my author name be Melody Ledger. I didn’t think anyone would notice but my sister did. Hopefully, because she was so close to me those pieces clicked together only for her.

“You sure? I can grab takeout or something,” I offer.

“Still have leftover lasagna, and I actually just got a pile of spreadsheets sent to me to go over.” I glance at his computer screen, not understanding anything on it.

“All right. I love you.”

“Love you too,” he says before I start to head out. I grab my bag with my laptop inside. It’s so nice out I debate if I should walk the half mile to the coffee shop down the road instead of driving. Most days, the heat can kill you here, but there is a nice breeze, so I decide to walk.

“Lyla,” Ethan calls when I step into the coffee shop. It’s midafternoon. There are only a few people inside. “You want your normal?” he asks.

“Yes, please.” It’s still hard to get used to having a new name. I hate it. I have to make a conscious effort to answer people.

“You want a sweet today?” I peek over at the display of pastries. They all look yummy, but for some reason I don’t want one. My stomach is unsettled. It has been ever since I laid my eyes on that article about Easton’s engagement.

“No, just my normal coffee.” He scans my card.

“Anything new?” He scribbles on my cup before handing it off for someone to make. I know he’s asking about my sister. Pretty sure he has a crush on her. Not that she would ever notice.

“Nah, I’m going to hang here to get out of the house for a bit.”

Ethan nods. “How’s your sister? She hasn’t been around.”

“Tell me about it.” I let out a small laugh. I don’t miss the disappointment in his eyes, but I’m sure Ethan will be fine. I don’t think I’ve ever come in here and not seen a girl flirting with him.

My sister has no idea of the attention she draws. Even before she started getting all dolled up. Her aloofness to men’s attention only lured them in more.

“Lyla.” The girl who took my cup from Ethan calls my name, letting me know my drink is ready.

“Thanks,” I say before grabbing my coffee and finding a seat off to the side to be alone.

I pull my laptop out and try to work. It’s useless because my mind keeps drifting to thoughts of Easton. Usually, I allow my thoughts to go to him for inspiration while I’m writing but today it feels different. Knowing he’s someone else’s has shifted something. And no matter how much I try to push it to the back of my mind, the article is now burned into my memory.

My fingers tingle, wanting to google his name again and do a search into the girl he’s marrying.

In an instant, he’s there. Not on my computer screen but standing right in front of me.

10

EASTON

“Get up.”

Those aren’t the first words I thought I’d say when I found Melody again.

On the plane ride over here, I read over anything that Tray could pull up for me while thinking of what I’d say when I first laid eyes on her after all this time.

I told myself I’d be calm. That went straight out the window the moment I saw her talking to the fucker behind the counter. He’d made her smile and laugh.

I didn’t get to hear the sound. I was still outside the coffee shop, but seeing it was enough. It pissed me the fuck off. I was out of the vehicle before I could try to reason with myself.

So much for staying calm and being smooth. I should have known it would be this way with her. That I wouldn’t be able to control myself once I saw her. It was hard enough when I had her to not cross lines.

How is it possible that she’s even more beautiful than she was before? Her cheeks are a bit fuller and her hair a touch longer. As pissed as I am, my cock is already hard. It’s been that way off and on since I knew I’d really found her. For a moment in time, my dick didn’t give a fuck about anything. At night or in the morning, I’d often do the same shit I did before Melody disappeared. I’d let all the fantasies I had of her play out in my head take hold as I brought myself to release.

I couldn't stop thinking about it when I tried to sleep. The mind and heart want what they want. There is no controlling that.

A lot of the times I’d wake up mid-dream fucking her, and there was no stopping it. I let myself finish my release.

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