Only When Its Us Novels & Stories

i'll make**actual food Ezra: **deal. what time?** Me: **whenever. parents are gone** There's a pause, and I can feel him understanding what that means. Time alone. Space to be together without worrying about being heard or seen. Ezra: **2 hours?** Me: **perfect**

On the way back, I ended up chatting with Cody the whole time, and to my surprise, I found out we lived in the same neighborhood. “No way,” Cody said with a grin. “I didn’t expect us to be neighbors.” “Small world,” I replied, smiling back. “I heard there’s a photography summit next week. Are you going? If you are, maybe we could go together?” he added, extending the invitation. “Sure,” I agreed without hesitation. We talked the whole way, effortlessly. It was the kind of conversation that never ran out of fuel.

soil, meaning all those who stand on it are subject to the same laws and protection as they would encounter standing in the United States. The embassy's night operator was reading Times magazine's international Edition when the sound of her phone interrupted. "U.S. Embassy," she answered. "Good evening." The caller spoke English with a French accent. "I need some assistance." Despite the politeness of the man's words, his tone sounded gruff and official. "I was told you had a phone message for me on your automated system. The name is Jim Davis. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the three-digit access code. If you could help me, I would be most grateful."

Christenna winked. "No, it's fine. I have it under control." I said, producing another card. "Is that one of Nick's cards?" His mother asked. I looked her up and down. "I make my own money and spend it as I please. Thank you very much." I turned away from her to look over my card, not understanding why it declined. When I remembered, it's new, and it's a business card that I set to only be used to make office purchases.

Not anyone. Only me.

No running. Just us. For once, the world could wait. **

A ping on my phone distracts me and I scramble to check what it was. It was a message from Williams and it makes my breath hitch. “Do not screw this up Stephanie. Your son is only a bullet away” The message read and my hand shook. I really can’t screw this up

Understand? "Yes." "Do you have anything to say?"