You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Harper

 I’m walking out the double doors, stopping short when I see her in the parking lot.

Aisha.

Say what? She hasn't spotted me yet and I rush back inside, going to where Easton is still standing in line.

He sees me, looking confused as I approach him.

“We have to go.” “Why-” I grab his hand and pull him out of line.

“Follow me.” I'm dragging him to the back of the store, not looking backward, grateful he’s not resisting.

We're near the pharmacy, hiding behind one of the taller racks when I finally come to a stop.

“What the hell, Harper? What's going on?” “I saw—"

I release a shuddery breath, hating how out of shape I feel.

“—Aisha in the parking lot.” “What the fuck?” I shush him because his voice was really loud just now.

“Are you serious?” Nodding, I take a couple of steps to my right, peeking around the taller display that’s hiding us.

I don't see her stupid blonde head anywhere, but that doesn't mean anything.

“What is she doing on this side of town?” “I don't know.

That's the reason why you made me drive all the way over here.

So we wouldn't run into anyone.” “Right.

Yet here she is.” Pretty freaking suspicious if you ask me.

“Let's buy our stuff at the pharmacy.” Easton glances over his shoulder.

“It’s still open.” “Good idea.” There’s no line so we’re able to approach the woman working behind the counter and make our purchase, me with my back to her so I can see the entire store, my gaze searching for that familiar, bitchy blonde head.

she’s nowhere to be

Hmmm.

of here,” Easton says to me once he’s done, clutching the long receipt in one

everything

your Santa sack.” I roll my eyes at him, relieved that the pregnancy tests are hidden

“You never know.

present in there.” He grins, and for a moment, I forget all of our

open it on Christmas

in front of us, her lips curled into a sneer, her

arm going around my

at how rude

best thing

hello to you

“Seriously, Aisha.

fuck do you want from us?”

“Don't bother answering.

I think I know.

you're never going to get it.”

It’s the holiday season.

nice to the

to be following my ass everywhere

me.” “You're not worth following, trust me.” Aisha lifts her head, her nose in the

“Right back at

our way out of the store, practically running to the

I’m pulling the pregnancy test out and staring at it as I hold it in my

seen us in that aisle?”

“She would've told everyone.

know I was pregnant.” “We don't even know if you're pregnant yet,” Easton

the rumor,” I say,

entire night.” “Oh and the pregnancy scare didn't do that already?”

meant to upset me by saying

I’m upset.

can feel the tears threatening to spill, and