Page 90 of Snatched

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My thumbs move before my brain catches up.

Colt: Thought this was casual?

A beat.

Elena: I’m just saying…you can come by if you want.

I freeze staring at my phones and Mom smirks.

“Well?” she whispers dramatically. “GO.”

I stand so fast I almost knock over her knitting.

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too. Put on a clean shirt and bring her something nice.”

I kiss her forehead.

Grab my hoodie.

Head out the door with my pulse in my throat.

In the grocery store I wander aimlessly for five minutes before grabbing everything I know she’ll like.

• Fresh pasta

• Real parmesan

• Tomatoes

• Basil

• Dark chocolate

I don’t even realize I bought flowers until I’m in line with them.

Not casual behavior, Evans.

Too late now.

I arrive to her apartment at eight oh three.

I only knock once, and the door opens.

And I forget how to breathe.

Elena stands there in lingerie—not tacky, not flashy, just… elegant, soft, deadly.

A robe slips off one shoulder, framing her like a painting.

Her eyes widen when she sees me holding groceries.

“You’re serious,” she whispers.

I swallow, hard.

“Yeah. Can I—uh—cook?”

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