Page 17 of Stolen Hearts

No no no, it’s okay, Castle. We’re celebrating a life over here, not mourning a death. I was just showing Teagan you in your tux. She says hi

I grin. A photo comes through of my dead best friend’s widow, and the girl who lost her father when she was seven. It’s insane to me how grown up she is now, at eighteen.

Me

Jesus h christ. Who the hell is that and what has she done with my little Tea?

Loraine

lol. She grew up. They do that if you feed and water them, apparently

Me

Well stop feeding her

Loraine

HAHA! Enjoy the gala, Castle. Miss ya! Raise one for Bryce tonight

Me

Will do. Miss you too. It’s been too long

She sends another heart emoji. I smile before I slip my phone into my pocket and take a sip of my drink.

“So.”

I turn to find Callie standing right there behind me—hip cocked, face flushed with alcohol, and her eyes squinting at me.

“Yes?”

“So how long has it been?”

I frown. “Excuse me?”

“How long has it been since you saw your lady friend?”

“My…” I sigh in exasperation. “You know it’s rude to read other people’s private text messages.”

“Whatever,” she shrugs, still glaring at me, and obviously a few drinks in.

“How much have you had, Callie.”

“How much are youstillnot my dad, Castle?”

I look past her to bar. The two douchey-looking older European guys are talking and chuckling to themselves, casting lecherous looks her way.

“Who’re your new friends?”

“You first. Who’s Loraine?”

I step closer to her, and her breath catches a little.

“Let’s be clear about something.”

“And what might that be?” she sasses back.

I shake my head. “You don’t get to play the jealous card.”

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