From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 11

Chapter 2

I woke up the next morning scrolling through Instagram to wake myself up.

That’s when I saw it–Silas had actually left last night.

Wren’s latest post was right there at the top:

[Wish this moment could last forever]

The photo? Her and Silas on a mountaintop watching the sunrise together.

I liked it and let out a long sigh.

Cool. They’re having their romantic sunrise moment while my front door nearly got ripped off its hinges.

After grabbing breakfast, I headed to the office.

When my manager found out I’d finally agreed to the transfer, she practically lit up.

She’d been so disappointed when I turned it down before–all because I didn’t want to do long–distance with Silas.

“I’m so glad you changed your mind! Travel’s so easy now–you two could see each other in what, two hours on a train?

Plus, you know what they say–distance makes the heart grow fonder.”

I smiled through her whole speech. Then dropped the bomb.

“Actually, I’m breaking up with him.”

By the time I wrapped up the paperwork, it was lunch. My coworkers dragged me out for a goodbye meal.

I was laughing with them in the elevator when we stepped outside-

And there was Silas.

Out of nowhere, he shoved a bouquet into my hands.

“Apology flowers.”

My coworkers immediately started in on him:

“Ohhh, what’d you do to sweet Sloane? You’re out here with FLOWERS!”

“Ha! Too bad, Silas–we already claimed her for lunch.”

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From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer: Smile, Ex

Chapter 2

Silas grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward his car.

“Sorry, guys. We’ve got something urgent. I’ll buy you all lunch next week, I swear.”

Thinking something was actually wrong, I said quick goodbyes and slid into the passenger seat.

First thing I did? Tossed the flowers in the back before buckling up.

Silas got in just in time to catch it.

His jaw tightened.

At the next red light, he finally spoke.

“You don’t like them?”

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I was finishing a work email. Took me a second to even look up.

“Hm?”

Then it clicked.

“Oh. The flowers. You forgot I’m allergic to pollen again?”

Silas froze. Then looked genuinely annoyed with himself.

“Damn it. I’m sorry. I’ll remember this time.”

My eyes were already back on my phone.

“It’s fine.”

Not like it was the first time.

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A guy who could speak eight languages fluently but couldn’t remember one basic thing about his girlfriend?

It wasn’t a memory problem.

It was a priority problem.

But whatever.

I didn’t need him to care anymore anyway.

“We’re here.”

Silas’s voice snapped me back to reality.

I’d just locked in my start date with the new office.

mile Ex

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Chapter 2

I glanced up–and my brain short–circuited.

We weren’t at our apartment.

We were at the airport.

Before I could even process it, Silas had my door open and was pulling me out of the car.

Next thing I knew, we were sprinting through the terminal.

I was completely thrown.

Silas was always so buttoned–up around me. Serious. In control.

This version–running through an airport like some rom–com lead–I’d only ever seen in Wren’s posts.

“Sloane, move! They’re already boarding!”

We finally dropped into our seats, both gasping for air, and I managed to get a word in.

“What’s happening? Is your family okay?”

His family lived overseas, so naturally I figured someone was sick or something.

Still catching his breath, Silas tucked our passports away.

“I checked–you’ve still got vacation days left.”

“You’ve been dying to see the Eiffel Tower forever, right? I’m off work, so I’m taking you to Paris. Let me make this right. Please stop being mad at me.”

That’s when it clicked.

Three years together.

This was our first trip.

Because every other vacation he’d ever taken? Wren had claimed it.

He’d flown to Africa with her to see lions. Iceland for the Northern Lights. Australia for kangaroos.

But when I asked him to spend one afternoon hitting up coffee shops in our own city? Suddenly he was “buried in work.”

Fine.

I’d treat this like a breakup trip. One last goodbye before I walked away for good.

I bit back the urge to end it right there.

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Chapter 2

“Wait–what about luggage? We literally just showed up with nothing.”

Silas reached over and messed up my hair.

“Chill, worrywart. Didn’t want us to miss the flight, so I had a buddy who’s also flying to Paris drop our bags at the hotel.”

I nodded.

Honestly? I was just glad I was between jobs.

Otherwise there’s no way I could’ve gotten last–minute time off approved.

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