Page 29 of Embers of Torment

"I know." I shrugged the incident off, although my mind kept chanting.It's not me. It's not me. Maybe if I said the phrase enough, I'd wholeheartedly believe it.

Adam watched Jace walk out the door. Then he shifted in his chair, excitement lighting his face. "You two should date each other."

"Excuse me? Now you're talking crazy."

"I mean it. It's obvious that Jace likes you, and I can attest to him being trustworthy. He's considerate, cares about others, and stands up for the underdog. Plus, he strongly believes in equity between people and doesn't judge unfairly. Jace is everything you've been looking for in a partner and can't seem to find. You need to ask him out."

"I'm doing no such thing. Like I said, you're acting nuts. I'll admit. Jace seems like a super guy, but contrary to what you think, I'm only interested in him as a friend."Liar, liar, pants on fire, I repeated in my mind. Adam was right. Jace was everything I wanted in a boyfriend and then some. He wasn't only gorgeous but had an incredible personality to go with it. Jace was the complete package and the kind of guy you couldn't wait to introduce to your family. He was a million times better than my best date.

"You could go out together without sacrificing your friendship. After all, don't most long-term couples say their partner is their best friend? You guys would be a perfect match, too, and I don't understand why you don't see it. Think about it—you and Jace becoming a couple. Wouldn't that be a kick? Of course, I'd have to disown you if you broke his heart, and I would probably never speak to you again."

There it was! Those were Adam's true feelings, camouflaged by humor. Okay, maybe he wouldn't refuse to talk to me forever, but he'd be devastated. Plus, there was no way that a dating disaster between Jace and me would leave Adam and Jace's relationship unscathed.

And I refused to be the cause.

Adam and I finished our lunch while I listened to him boast about Jace's artistry and skill in digital special effects. Although my mood had slipped toward something more subdued, I couldn't help but smile now and then. Adam bragged about Jace like a sibling would about an older brother. It was endearing but also solidified how I felt.

Adam checked his watch. "Our hour's up. We better get back." He picked up our trash, set it on the empty tray, and ran off to dispose of it.

I was waiting for him by our table when my phone dinged. Checking my messages, I saw I had one from Sofie asking me to pick her up something to eat.

Adam rejoined me, eyeing the device in my hand. "What's up?"

"Sofie sent me a text asking if I could grab her a chicken pita from the café. She's stuck in a meeting, and Reid's out of the office. She says she's starving."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"Nah, it's okay. You don't need to wait. I'll catch you later."

We left the restaurant. Adam returned to work, and I went next door to get Sofie's lunch. I grimaced when I saw the long line. The place was still busy even though it was a little past one o'clock. Finally getting the food I'd ordered, I snatched my take-out bag from the counter and hurried from the café. I bent my head, the bag tucked under my arm, while I texted Sofie that I had her pita and was on my way. I loudly grunted as I ran into something large and solid that felt like a brick wall.

The bag dropped to the concrete, and an automatic "I'm sorry" shot from my mouth. I reached down to pick up Sofie's chicken pita and stared at the person's feet.Huh? Those are odd-looking shoes. The newer, bright red laces seem weirdly out of place on those super duper beat-up brown work boots.Amused, I glanced upward to see who owned such a peculiar pair. But the man had spun around, giving me a glimpse of his tannedface shadowed with blackish-gray stubble before he quickly retreated.

Straightening, I scrutinized the tall, bulky body fleeing across the plaza.

Then I recognized the clothing.

Doing a double take, I drew in a startled breath. The man wore black pants and a black hoodie, and his outfit and build were the same as those of the shadowy figure I'd seen on the sidewalk the night I'd babysat. Making it even more odd, the man had pulled his hood up as if to hide his identity.

My panic rose, and my mind went rogue, asserting that the two figures had to be the same person. As the seconds passed, the doubts came.

Thinking I must be losing it, I forced myself to get a grip.C'mon, Della. Get it together. Black is a popular color, and people routinely wear hoodies. Seeing two humans dress in similar clothing doesn't make them the same person. And even if they were, so what? Sofie and Reid live in Beacon Hill and work in this area. Why couldn't he?

Snorting at my silliness, I turned to walk away, chalking the incident to another unexplainable of late.

Chapter 10

Jace

After confirming which floor the marketing department was on via the directory in the lobby, I headed to the elevators servicing the second through tenth floors. I couldn't help pacing as I waited.

Will Della regard my presence here as a negative, thinking I'm behaving too forward?

Damn, I hoped not because I liked Della—a lot. But she was still acting standoffish, even though I'd turned up the charm. Thankfully, I'd seen the look in her eyes that told me she was at least slightly interested.

But was it enough?

Taking the elevator to the third floor, I continued to question my wisdom in coming here. Deciding to move forward with my plan, I followed the signs and stopped in front of a double door. After several calming breaths, I entered the office and approached the receptionist. The woman appeared to becleaning up her desk in preparation to go home. She shut off her computer and swiveled to face me.

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