Page 52 of When You Had Me Adapting

“Right?” Lacey says. “So cute.” All the girls giggle and her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

I take a swig of my beer, and my shoulders tense as they talk. I know I have no right to feel jealous, but the last thing I want to hear about is the guy Lacey is dating. I’m not sure how I keep ending up in these situations: Alex, Tanner, and now Chris. I try to remind myself that we said we were going to be friends, and this is what friends do.

“It’s nice to be with someone who can understand what it’s like to be an OT,” she continues.

“But do you have anything else in common with him?” I ask.

“Of course I do,” she says. “Actually, I invited him to trivia night next week, so y’all can all meet him.”

“Trivia night?” I ask.

I feel everyone’s eyes shift to me.

“Oh shoot,” she says. “We made the plan before you and I settled things. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“No, man. That’s my bad. I meant to mention it and then things got stressful at work and it slipped my mind,” Tanner says.

“Yes, come! You were the captain of the quiz bowl team in high school,” Poppy says. “We could use someone who actually knows what they’re doing. Winner gets a weekend stay at this cool cabin over the Fourth of July.”

Logan chuckles. “I’d like to think I know what I’m doing.”

Poppy leans in and kisses him. “Oh, you definitely know what you’re doing.”

“Get a room,” Tanner shouts, tossing a crinkled up napkin at them and causing the group to break out in laughter. Logan throws Poppy over his shoulder and takes off toward the pool. She lets out a loud shriek and water splashes all over us.

“So anyway,” Lacey begins, wiping water from her face. “It’ll be great. Chris is a huge history buff, so between the two of you there’s no way we’ll lose.”

The rest of the group agrees, but I’m torn. My stomach twists at the thought of seeing her with another person. The memory of Alex kissing Lacey pops into my head. “I’ll think about it. Shoot me the details and I’ll see if I can make it.”

“Good.” She smiles.

“Poppy and Logan, come on. It’s time for cake,” she yells.

CHAPTER 24: THAT’S A WEIGHTED QUESTION

LACEY

“What did you think about Jace being there tonight?” I ask as Poppy, Logan, and I make our way back to our apartment. Our hands are full with the aftermath of the night and I’m exhausted.

“I think it was good he came,” Poppy says. “I’m glad we can all put the past behind us and move forward. How are you feeling?”

That’s a weighted question. How am I feeling? At seventeen, I was sure Jace would be my forever and then D.C. happened. My world as I knew it came crashing down and I spent the last ten years heartbroken and hating him for what I thought he did. And then as quick as it ended a decade ago he proved me wrong. He never cheated. I was the one who fucked it all up.

My mind drifts to him tearing off his shirt. His toned abs and those tattooed arms.

“Lace?”

“Huh?” I look up to see Poppy and Logan staring at me. We’re standing in front of our apartment door and I have nomemory of getting here. Like my body was on autopilot while my mind was somewhere else entirely.

“You gonna unlock the door?” she asks, gesturing to the door knob.

“Oh yeah, sorry.” I set down the container of leftover food I’m holding and fumble for my key. I slide it in and swing the door open. They move past me and I follow.

“Are you ever going to answer my question?” Poppy asks as she moves around the apartment putting everything away.

“Yeah, you kind of spaced out there,” Logan adds. “You good?”

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