Page 48 of Before Dawn

The phone buzzed immediately. My pulse jumped.

@mikkelsuarezofficial reacted to this message.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:How are you?

My stomach dipped. A slow, ridiculous smile tugged at my lips as my fingers flew across the screen.

Me: I’m good. A little tired, but good.

Why the fuck am I so awkward?

@mikkelsuarezofficial:Get some rest today, okay? Traveling can be exhausting.

I stared at the message, warmth pooling low in my stomach. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, tapping out a response—

A knock at the door interrupted me.

“Breakfast is ready, Princess.” Dad’s voice.

I sighed and quickly typed:

Me: I have to go now, but we’ll talk later.

@mikkelsuarezofficial:Looking forward to it, Red. Have a great day.

I locked my phone and headed downstairs, the scent of pancakes and chamomile tea wrapping around me like a hug.

Dad stood by the dining table, flipping through a newspaper. As soon as he saw me, he kissed my cheek.

“Morning, sweetie.”

“Morning, Dad,” I said, sliding into the seat beside Aurora. “Morning, everyone.”

He leaned over to kiss Mom before grabbing his lab coat. “I’ve got a patient in an hour, so I’m headed to the clinic.” His tone shifted, more serious. “Listen, you need to finish packing today, but I don’t want you alone with that boy.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be fine, Dad. Just a few things left to sort out.”

Aurorabarely looked up from her phone. “Don’t worry, Pops. We’re going together, so she won’t be alone with Joshua.”

Dad’s frown didn’t fully ease, but he nodded. “Alright. Just be careful, and if you need anything, call me.”

“We will.”

With one last look, he kissed Mom again before heading out.

Mom, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke. “The movers will be here this weekend, so we need everything packed by then.”

Aurora and I nodded.

“Oh, and we picked up some clothes from your apartment yesterday.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She smiled, grabbing her purse. “Alright, I’m off to work. Love you girls.”

The front door closed behind her, leaving the kitchen quiet except for the distant hum of traffic outside.

I poked at my pancakes, appetite suddenly waning.

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