Page 74 of Forever Theirs

Knowing shit was about to hit the fan, I lifted my shoulders in a shrug as I raised both hands. “Not here, obviously.”

His frown morphed into a scowl as he tapped the phone screen before holding it up to his ear. My gut churned with worry when he yanked it away with a barked curse.

“No answer?”

“Went straight to voicemail,” Miles bit out. “I bet she turned it off after that call with her mom yesterday.”

“Yeah, she seemed hesitant to even turn it on when we were in the car.” I pointed to the cup. “She mentioned wanting decent coffee.” Like a bull in a china shop, my best friend just grunted his acceptance and stormed toward the front door. I sighed. “Guess that means we’re going to Sips.”

Before I could close the door, Jubie dashed out, racing after Miles with happy yips.

His truck turned over, the engine roaring to life just as my fingers wrapped around the door handle. With a curse, I flung the door open and jumped inside the cab after Jubie before Miles could shift into Drive and leave us both behind.

“Fucking hell, man,” I snapped as I leaned against Jubie, who sat in the middle smiling like this was the best day of her life, so I could slam the door shut. “Please don’t kill me on your frantic mission to find her.”

“She better be there,” he hissed. Both hands tightened on the wheel, knuckles going white with the fierce grip.

A frustrated groan escaped as I tapped the back of my head against the headrest. “Aspen is a grown woman, Miles. She can do whatever the hell she wants to do. We have no say in where she goes or what she does.” The words were true but still tasted bitter. I wanted to have a say, more to keep her safe than to control her, but it was a fine line between the two.

“Fuck.”

His outburst snapped my attention out the window, making me curse under my breath. At first, it was just a few thick flakes, but it quickly turned into a heavy flurry of snow pouring from the gray skies. This wasn’t a big deal for us. This was Alaska. It snowed here, and we were prepared for it.

But Aspen wasn’t.

And she wasn’t with us where we could keep her warm and safe.

Instead of slowing for the weather, Miles pressed harder on the gas, shooting down the winding road that led to town. Faster than we’d ever clocked before, he jerked the truck into an open parking spot down the street from Sips and cut the engine.

I was out before the tires had stopped, striding to the only coffee shop in town worth a damn. Behind me, stomping boots and soft panting told me Miles and Jubie were hot on my heels.

The bell overhead rang as I jerked the glass door open and stormed inside.

Paul, the owner, stood tall, arms crossed over his chest as he stared me down, gaze shifting to just over my shoulder when Miles stepped into the shop. The man Paul had been talking to turned. I didn’t even try to hold back my annoyed grumbling.

Charles Parks, The Nest’s newest GM, who hated me, Miles, and every other employee of Uplift for some unknown reason. He held my glare as I approached the counter.

“You know she can’t be in here,” Paul said, hitching his chin at Jubie, who answered by standing on her back paws and putting the front ones on the counter. Drool dripped from her jowls to the clean surface, making me chuckle.

“Worthless animal,” Charles grumbled.

“The fuck did you say about my dog?” Miles responded, his tone deadly.

Charles jumped and swallowed hard before retreating a step, then another, headed toward the front of the café. “We can finish that conversation later, Paul. I’m not comfortable being here with them.” With that snide remark, he dashed out the door, speed-walking past the wide window until he disappeared down the sidewalk.

“Where is she?” Miles demanded, glaring at Paul.

My eyes went wide as I stared at Miles. Okay, so apparently my bestie devolved into a rude brute when his girl was missing. Not that I was much better, but I had to be if we wanted this conversation to result in us finding Aspen, since she was clearly not here.

Before Paul could respond, I held up my hand, drawing his attention.

“He’s referring to Aspen Carter. New to town, long dark hair, brown eyes, adorable nose?”

Paul rolled his eyes and tossed the rag he used to clean up Jubie’s constant drool over his shoulder. “She was in here earlier.” He eyed me, then Miles. “She was a nice girl, polite, and actually appreciated my coffee.”

“Where. Is. She?”

I winced at Miles, noting the way his face had fallen into the impassive mask I knew spelled trouble for anyone who stood in his way of getting what he wanted.

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