Stuck Between Two Hotties: My Stepbrother Stole My Christmas

CHAPTER ONE;

Lena's Pov

The universe has a sick sense of humor.

That was the only explanation for why my life felt like it was unraveling in slow motion.

Just yesterday, Bryce and I had our first real fight.

Not the playful bickering couples laugh about later.

No this one had been sharp, tense, full of raised voices and hurt feelings neither of us knew how to swallow.

He'd said I was "too much."

Too emotional.

Too demanding.

Too... everything.

And I, stupidly, apologized.

Because that's what I always did.

I apologized even when I didn't understand what I'd done wrong.

But this morning, I'd found something tucked under the jacket he left at my apartment a reservation slip for La Lumière, one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. The kind of place with glimmering chandeliers, velvet chairs, and waiters who probably judged your shoe choices.

My heart had fluttered the moment I saw it.

Maybe he'd planned something.

Maybe the fight meant nothing.

Maybe he wanted to fix things.

Maybe God help me I wasn't losing him.

I didn't text him.

Didn't warn him.

Didn't ask if I was supposed to show up.

I wanted to surprise him for once.

I wanted to walk in smiling, holding the little wrapped gift I'd bought him weeks ago a silver bracelet engraved with the date we met.

Pathetic, right?

I got dressed, brushed my hair, put on a soft red sweater, and dabbed perfume on my neck like I was preparing for the kind of moment girls write diary entries about.

My stomach fluttered all the way to the restaurant.

The warm lights outside glowed like a promise.

Soft music drifted through the entrance.

A couple walked out laughing, arm in arm.

It felt like a sign.

Maybe the universe wasn't cruel.

Maybe today would be one of those perfect Christmas stories.

I pulled the door open gently.

The hostess at the podium gave me a polite smile.

"Reservation name?"

"Oh...it should be under Carter. Bryce Carter."

She blinked. Then her expression softened with recognition.

"Oh... yes. He arrived a few minutes ago."

My heart leapt.

He was here.

Waiting for me.

I adjusted the bow on the gift and stepped inside, taking a deep breath as I scanned the tables.

Couples everywhere.

Candles flickering.

Glasses clinking.

Then I saw him.

Or rather heard him first.

Bryce's laugh.

Light. Warm. The one that pulled people in without effort.

I froze.

Because he wasn't alone.

Across from him sat a girl I'd never seen before.

Beautiful.

Long dark curls.

Red lipstick.

A tight black dress that screamed confidence.

She leaned forward, her finger tracing the rim of her wine glass as she said something that made him grin my grin, the one he used to reserve for me.

My throat tightened.

No.

No, no, no.

This wasn't real.

I moved closer, each step heavier than the last, the gift trembling in my hand.

Bryce lifted his champagne glass.

"To us,"