Page 38 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Their eyes held.

Mano’s phone buzzed and he glanced at the message. “I’m flying out on the 13th,” he said, then typed. Book me a hotel. I’m not staying at your place

When he finished eating, Ody caught his wrist and pulled him toward the living room.

“What is it?”

He didn’t answer. He pushed him down onto the couch and dropped beside him, resting his head against his chest.

“What are you doing? What if your parents or your sister come back?” Mano started to pull away, but Ody pressed him back.

“They’ll be late. Just let me stay like this for a bit,” he murmured, eyes closing.

Mano glanced toward the front door, tension flickering across his face, but he didn’t move.

“I can hear your heartbeat,” Ody whispered.

Mano’s lashes flickered. Slowly, he lifted his hand and let it hover before resting it against Ody’s hair. His fingers moved once, uncertain. Then again, his chest thudding.

“Why’s it suddenly beating so fast?” Ody asked, and Mano’s hand stilled. Ody tipped his head back just enough to look at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Am I getting you that worked up?”

Mano pushed him off and sat up.

“Easy.” A quiet chuckle slipped out of Ody.

“Stop talking crap,” Mano muttered, turning away.

He didn’t get far, though. Ody moved fast, pushing him back onto the couch.

Mano’s eyes snapped to his. “Mikre, get off me. If someone walks in and sees us like this—”

“We’re going back to Athens tomorrow,” he cut in, gaze steady.

“Why?”

“Because you won’t have any excuses left there.” Amusement flickered in his eyes as Mano lay beneath him, silent.

That same night, miles away in Athens, Stella checked her reflection in the small mirror she carried in her purse as she stepped off the bus. Her red-copper hair fell perfectly straight over her shoulders, her makeup flawless. She had chosen her best outfit, expensive accessories and heels that clicked confidently against the sidewalk.

She headed toward the bar where her friends were waiting, a bright smile already forming as she pushed the door open.

“Stella! Over here!”

She spotted them at the back, all waving her over. “Hey, girls!” she said, smiling as she reached them, hugging each one in turn.

“Happy birthday!” Voices overlapped as compliments were thrown her way and drinks were placed on the table.

Not long after, the cake came out. Two candles shaped like the number twenty flickered on the top. “Make a wish!”

Stella smiled and closed her eyes, leaning in as she blew them out. Applause rose around her, warm and friendly.

One of the girls picked up the cake. Stella leaned forward, expecting her to cut it. Instead, the cake came straight at her. The impact was sudden, cold, the cream smearing across her face.

Laughter burst around her, loud and sudden, but Stella didn’t move. She stood there, frozen, cream dripping down her face, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

She thought it had to be a joke. That they’d laugh, pull her into a hug, wipe it off. But no one moved.

She looked at them and felt something twist in her chest. Their expressions had changed, something colder settling over their faces.