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“I can’t blame you for the food,” I joke, stifling all joy and hope and excitement. “We do have some excellent eats.”
Jace plays along. “I’m that guy who always thinks with his stomach. Always. That’s why I always make the stupidest choices.”
“You’re choosing me.” My heart expands to unimaginable proportions after I say this. “If we agree that you tend to make stupid choices…”
Shaking his head, he chuckles. “Sometimes I listen to my heart too.”
We drink some more tea. The mood lightens, morphing into the usual easygoing atmosphere we tend to have between us. I hate to ruin it. “What are you going to do about Shane and Juliette though?”
“Nothing.” He cringes. “I know that’s not what you’re hoping to hear, but I can’t leave. Especially right now when ACD is— I just can’t.”
“What’s happening with ACD?”
Jace taps out a sharp staccato on the table with his fingers. “I can’t talk about it. I’m sorry I brought it up.” He gets up and walks to the railing.
It must be something bad. His eyebrows are knitted together, and his shoulders bunch up.
I leave my mug on the table and hug him from behind.
“Dang, Laurel. I haven’t earned a hug yet,” he grumbles, tensing.
“You put Band-Aids on my feet, and I can’t give you a hug?” Resting my face on his back, I soak in Jace’s warmth—
He twists around and crushes me against him.
“I’m sorry.” It’s somewhat difficult to breathe, and I don’t know whether it’s because he’s holding me so tight or because I’m suddenly so happy I can be in his arms that I forget how to. “I shouldn’t have said anything about Juliette.”
“Don’t apologize. I caused you to experience a panic attack—”
“I should apologize. I picked the worst time and place to press you for the truth. I’ve been curious for a long time, and tonight I got exasperated. I shouldn’t have forced you to say or do anything.”
“You’re the only one who can,” he murmurs in my ear, stealing all strength from my knees.
“I can’t make you do anything.” I bury my face in his shoulder.
Jace chuckles, and the sound of it vibrates in my soul. “You made me sing. Juliette would’ve never been able to, I promise.”
I move so that I can look at him. “What was that, by the way?”
“Can we talk about it later?” He avoids meeting my eyes.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“I’m not a singer, Laurel. I’m a guitarist.”
“Are you…ashamed to have vocal cords that blow everyone’s mind because you…you…prefer guitar?” I grab his shoulders and do something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. I shake him. “What is wrong with you?”
“So many things.” He laughs.
“Stop doing that. Stop putting yourself down!” I shake him again, a little harder, then sandwich his face between my hands. “You drive me crazy. You’re one of the most talented people I’ve ever met, yet you’re somehow convinced you’re at the bottom of the totem pole. And by the way, I like the vulnerable you. With feelings. I like that Jace Blackmore— What?”
Why is he looking at me with this quiet, glowing smile and… What is that? Adoration? No. Jace doesn’t know the meaning of the wordsmitten. Why would he look like he is?
“Admit it.” A devilish grin dances on his lips.
“Admit what? That I eavesdropped on your conversation with Hal at his shop? Isn’t it obvious that I did?”
“Not that. You’re jealous, you’re exasperated, but at the same time, you’re still here. Admit that you love me.”
