LOGINJeremy POV Emily and I were cuddled up on the sofa watching a show on the TV when Nona walked into the living room. “I don't think unmarried couples should be that intimate in front of me, Mr…” she said, looking between the two of us. Immediately, Emily and I pulled apart. “Oh, sorry, Nona,” Emily said, trying not to laugh. Nona looked at her before turning her attention to me. “Emily, you haven't introduced me to this gentleman staying in my house. Don't you think now is the time?” Emily smiled. “You're right. Nona, this is Jeremy. Jeremy, this is my grandmother.” She turned back to Nona. “He's really nice, Nona. We've been seeing each other for a while now, and—” Nona raised her hand. “Let me be the judge of that.” Emily laughed. “Okay, Nona.” Nona pointed toward the stairs. “Why don't you go upstairs and take your time? Jeremy and I have a lot to talk about.” Emily looked between us. “Are you sure?” “Yes. Go.” Emily stood up, leaned down, and kissed my cheek before hea
NONA'S POV I took the ring from Leah and headed into the dining room, leaving her standing there with that confused look on her face. I knew she probably thought I was being cruel, especially after I had just taken her engagement ring without giving her any explanation, but there was a reason for what I had done. Before I could put the dishes on the table, Emily came down the stairs hand in hand with the young man who had come along with them. I still hadn't quite caught his name last night. “Hey, Nona!” Emily called as she ran down the stairs and wrapped her arms around me. “Hey, get away from me before you make me drop the food, and good morning to you too,” I said, laughing as I carefully moved the plates away from her. She released me and grinned. “Good morning.” “Good morning, troublemaker.” She laughed before turning toward the kitchen. Leah and Damien soon came out, with Leah carrying the pancakes while Damien followed behind her, looking at her like she had hung the mo
NONA'S POV I took the ring from Leah and headed into the dining room, leaving her standing there with that confused look on her face. I knew she probably thought I was being cruel, especially after I had just taken her engagement ring without giving her any explanation, but there was a reason for what I had done. Before I could put the dishes on the table, Emily came down the stairs hand in hand with the young man who had come along with them. I still hadn't quite caught his name last night. “Hey, Nona!” Emily called as she ran down the stairs and wrapped her arms around me. “Hey, get away from me before you make me drop the food, and good morning to you too,” I said, laughing as I carefully moved the plates away from her. She released me and grinned. “Good morning.” “Good morning, troublemaker.” She laughed before turning toward the kitchen. Leah and Damien soon came out, with Leah carrying the pancakes while Damien followed behind her, looking at her like she had hung the mo
LEAH'S POV “Damien, didn't I tell you unmarried couples don't share a room in my house? I hope you have desecrated…” “We haven't done anything, Nona,” Damien said with a laugh cutting her off before she could finish. Nona looked between the two of us before giving Damien a suspicious look. “Good. Because I have cameras all over this house.” I immediately scanned the room looking around for cameras “Wait, seriously?” Damien burst out laughing. I turned to him with a frown.“You think that's funny?” “You should see your face.” “I don't like the sound of cameras being everywhere.” Nona smiled as she picked up her bag. “You have nothing to worry about, Leah. I'm glad you're here, but it's late and I'm tired. We can have dinner and talk properly tomorrow.” She started toward the stairs before turning around. “There's one more thing. Damien and Jeremy will share a room while Emily and Leah will share another.” “What Nona? We are eighteen-year-olds,” Damien complained “My house m
LEAH'S POV “We're here!” Emily screamed behind me walking up to the front door. “Ma'am Emily” the butler said bowing to her “Let me get that for you” he said reaching out to take her bag. “Papa Sebastian” she squealed, pulling him into a hug “It's been awhile how have you been?” “Oh my Emily I've missed you” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I've been good” “Oh this is going to be so much fun" she said, pulling away from him “Now where is my Nona?” she screamed as she headed farther into the house. I stood at the entrance, not sure if I should go in or run back to the airport and take the first flight to Miami. Damien takes my hand and smiles at me “No need to be nervous. Don't worry. She doesn't bite.” “You say that like I'm supposed to feel better,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. It's not every day you get to greet your fiancée's ex-mother-in-law. He laughed before turning toward the people who had followed us from the car. “Bring the bags in.” He held my hand a
ELRIC'S POV Hiding behind some trees, I watched as the car pulled away. Vivienne stood by the door, waving them goodbye before finally turning toward her car in the driveway. The moment they were gone, I stepped out from behind the trees and walked toward her waiting until I was close enough before tapping her shoulder. “Ahhh!” she screamed, jumping around with one hand pressed against her chest. I immediately burst out laughing. She spun around and glared at me. “Elric!” “I’m sorry,” I said, still laughing. “No, you’re not.” “Okay, maybe I’m not.” She shook her head, trying not to smile. “You almost gave me a heart attack.” “I didn’t know you were that easy to scare.” “I wasn’t scared until some idiot decided to sneak up behind me.” I smiled and pulled the bouquet I had been hiding behind my back. “These are for you.” She looked down at the flowers before taking them from me. “Elric…” “I know I probably should have come through the front door like a normal person, but I wa
The bus is halfway through its route when the brakes screech with a sudden, violent jolt that shoves me forward. My shoulder slams into the seat in front of me and I hear someone cursing. A bag tumbles into the aisle. The driver swears under his breath and yanks the wheel.Through the windshield,
UNKNOWN POVUnder the harsh white glare of the floodlights, the private jet waits on the Miami Executive Airport tarmac.The humid night air is filled with a steady, low rumble as the engines idle. With his jacket slung carelessly over one shoulder, Damien Cross rushes across the asphalt in his rum
Leah POV I step inside and close the door behind me, leaning against it for a second as the lock clicks into place. I can hear Emily and Damien going down the stairs, They must have waited until they knew I was safely inside before they left. The thought settles in my chest like something warm and
LEAH POV “Bye Mom, bye Soph—have a great day at school,” I called as I rushed out the door, backpack slung over one shoulder, keys already in hand. The morning sun is bright, but I barely notice. The diner is the only thing keeping me grounded these days, the only place where I can pretend everyth







