Page 2 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“I have to—”

“No. I’ll talk to Stella.”

Ody’s eyes widened. “Mano, no.”

“Calm down,” Mano said, quieter now. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.” He held his gaze. “Stella is in your life because of me. I’m the one who’s going to stop this.”

Ody turned away, pacing, hands still tangled in his hair.

“Hey.” Mano stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. “Look at me.”

Ody hesitated, then did.

Mano cupped his face, grounding him. “Anna won’t hear anything from Stella,” he said. “I promise.”

Ody’s breathing steadied, though the panic still lingered in his eyes.

“I won’t let them destroy what we have,” Mano said, his voice low. “Do you trust me?”

He nodded; his gaze locked on his. “I trust you. More than anyone.”

Ody’s trust wrapped around his ribs like a promise.

Mano didn’t look away. “Wait for me here,” he said, still holding Ody’s face. “I’ll find her and come back.”

“Mano… please be careful.”

Mano gave a faint smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, just long enough to leave something unspoken behind.

Ody watched him go, his stomach knotting as the front door shut.

Mano got on his motorcycle and sped toward Stella’s house. When he arrived, he pulled out his phone. I’m outside. Open the door

“Oh.” Stella chuckled when the notification appeared. She slipped out of bed, a spark of excitement lighting her face.

A moment later, the front door opened. Mano stood there, helmet in hand. If looks could kill, she’d already be dead.

“Well, well,” she said with a teasing smile. “Look who couldn’t wait to see me.”

Mano didn’t react. He stepped inside, brushing past her without a glance. “We need to talk.”

“Oh, I know.” She leaned against the doorframe, lifting her phone lazily. “About your little secret.” She waved it. “Anna seems sweet. I wonder how she’d take a message from me.”

“Don’t play games with me, Stella.”

“Games?” She laughed. “You think this is a game?” She unlocked her phone. Her finger hovered over the screen. “Say one wrong thing and I send it.”

Mano’s body went rigid. “Put the phone down.”

“Or what?” she said coldly. “I can ruin him in ten seconds.”

Mano’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, stopping her thumb inches from the screen. “Don’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

Neither of them moved.

Then Stella smiled, pressing her back against the wall. “Careful,” she murmured, tilting the phone so he could see the open chat. “You hurt me… I hit send.”

Mano’s grip tightened. Then, slowly, he let go.