Page 145 of When You Had Me Adapting

LACEY - SEVEN MONTHS LATER

“Ithought I’d find you in here,” Jace says from the door of my reading room. He slightly pushes the door open and leans against the frame.

“I can’t put it down,” I say, holding up my e-reader. “There’s just something about a second-chance romance, you know?”

“Definitely one of my favorites,” he chuckles. “But, I think we both know how it ends. Care to join me on the roof? I brought champagne.” He holds up a bottle that I didn’t notice until now and wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“Only you could make me stop reading,” I laugh. I put my book down, grab the blanket, and walk over to meet him at the door. With his free hand, he pulls me in for a long kiss. His hand weaves into my hair and my core instantly begins to buzz.

“You sure you want to go out on the roof?” I tease.

“Come on, pixie,” he says, pulling away and taking my hand to lead me down the hall. He sets down the bottle of champagne on the floor under the windowsill and pushes it open.

We both climb onto the roof and are met by a chill in the air. It’s early March and the sun has already set. He sits behind meand pulls me back into his chest. I help him unfold the blanket, and we wrap it around the both of us.

I nuzzle into him. This has become our ritual over the past seven months. At least once a week we come out here to talk. Just him, me, and the stars. It’s by far my favorite day of the week.

“Where’s Domino?” I ask.

“I put her in the crate, so she didn’t get into the trash again,” he says.

“You think she’ll be okay locked up?” I pout.

“I think she’ll be fine,” he assures me.

“I don’t know how you’ll ever outdo buying me a puppy for my birthday.” I smile, thinking about the little black-and-white border collie puppy downstairs. He lays a kiss on top of my head. “Oh, I texted Colt earlier. We’re all set to head to Austin in a few weeks to see him play. I know it probably didn’t take much, but thanks again for convincing Mom and Dad to come with us. I think it’ll be good for all of us to do something together.”

“It was easy. Your mom loves me.”

“Does she?” I laugh. “Not too long ago she was sure you’d break my heart. How did you get her to love you?”

“Well, love might be a strong word.” He laughs. “She definitely really likes me. Is Colt excited about the season?”

“He sounds like it. I think he’s nervous about getting drafted, but I think it’ll happen.”

“I’m glad.”

I look over my shoulder. “You good? You aren’t very chatty tonight.”

“I’m fine, just thinking.”

“About what?” I feel him move from behind me, so we are seated next to one another.

“I want to see you when I say this,” he says.

“Say what?” His hands find mine, and for the first time, I realize he looks nervous. “You okay, J?”

He takes my hands in his. “Lacey, it took me ten years to tell you how I felt. And then for ten years, I had to figure out how to do life without you in it. Those were some of the hardest years of my life, but one thing remained true despite our distance. I never stopped loving you. I’ve loved you every day since I was eight years old.”

My heart begins to race and for a split second I wonder if he’s about to do what I think he’s about to do, but there’s no way, right? No way I wouldn’t know.

“And then ten months ago, fate intervened and brought you back to me and I’ve never been happier. You’re my best friend and my soulmate.”

“Jace? What’s happening?” Tears begin to stream down my face and he wipes them away.

“Don’t cry, pixie. I promise it’s good.” He reaches back and pulls a small velvet box from his pocket. He opens it and reveals a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring. On either side of the stone sits a smaller emerald stone. It’s all set in white gold. I recognize it immediately.

“Jace, is that your?—”

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