Wanted it so badly it hurt.
I slowly set the phone down beside me on the floor.
Not clutching it anymore.
Not holding onto it like it might vanish.
And somehow that felt important.
“I meant what I said before,” I whispered.
“About what?”
“You staying away.” I looked over at him tiredly. “You probably should.”
Ace shook his head immediately.
“Not happening.”
A tiny smile tugged weakly at my mouth before I could stop it.
“There’s that stubbornness again.”
“You like it.”
“I absolutely do not.”
His grin finally appeared then.
Small.
Real.
And God help me—
it made something warm unfold quietly in my chest.
I closed my eyes briefly, exhaustion crashing into me all at once.
Everything still hurt.
But not the same way anymore.
This ache felt lighter somehow.
When I opened my eyes again, Ace was still there.
Still watching me like leaving had never been an option.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
His expression softened immediately.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do.”
A pause settled between us.
