Sealed with a kiss

lice closely. "Would you like to call an

ything that she hadn't even thought about her m

ialed her mom's number. The phone rang twice before h

ne. I'm with a friend. There was some

mom asked, her voic

"There was some kind of fight, and people were shooting. But I'm s

line, and Alice could almost feel her mom'

nice. I can stay here until it's

t, Alice. If you're sure. Just be caref

, Mom.

k to David. "Thank you," she said quietly, sti

g smile that made her heart skip. "You're

ce a little pale but relieved. "Come o

gs, polished wooden floors, and soft lighting that made everything feel cozy. Jake opened a door to a guest room, and

ice," Alice said, feel

his eyes. Alice hesitated before asking,

the floor for a moment before answer

ime, a strange, guilty part of her was happy. If Jake's mom was gone, maybe... maybe she had a chance with David. The thought wa

ut your mom,"

a long time ago, but it still

expression more serious. "Hey, I just wanted to say thanks... for saving my

bit shy. "I just... reacte

ng again, this time more genuinely. "You m

hungry she was. Her stomach rumbled, and she gav

lright, come on. Let

tched him, she couldn't help but notice how kind Jake was. He was sweet, and he had this easygoing charm

smiled at her, Alice's heart felt like it was doing flips. The idea of liking Jake's dad was strang

her a little too long. She looked so small, so vulnerable, yet she had jumped in front of a bullet to save him.

es, maybe he was only feeling like this because they had been through somethi

barely noticeable. Both of them were lost in their thoughts, each t

iled again. "I'm glad you're here, Alic

e way he made her feel safe-she had never felt like this before. And even though it was cra