Page 12 of When You Had Me Adapting

“It’s okay. I can bring it back another time.” Before I can react, he grabs the bag from my hand. “Colton, it’s important.” I try to grab it back from him, but he takes a step deeper into the house.

“And I’ll be sure she gets it.”

“Colton,” I scold. “This isn’t funny.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give it to her.”

“You promise?”

“Yep,” he squeaks out and then slams the door in my face.Fuck.I guess I have no other choice, but to trust a ten year old.

CHAPTER 6: DON’T GET OLD. IT’S A BITCH

LACEY - PRESENT

“Imade a pot of coffee,” Poppy shouts from our kitchen as I hop around my room stuffing my leg into one half of my scrub bottoms. “Want me to pour you a cup?”

“You know I can’t stand the stuff, it’s too bitter,” I yell back.

Or rather drinking it makes me feel bitter.

I grab my name badge off my dresser and clip it to my top. I pull my hair into a high ponytail as I walk out of my bedroom. “Have you seen my sneakers?”

“How you find anything in your room is a miracle,” Poppy laughs, turning to look at me. “They’re by the door.”

“Organized chaos, remember?” I fill a tea kettle with water and place it on the stove. I walk over, grab my mint and lilac Hokas, and lace them up.

“So, are we going to talk about the boat?” She sits down at the table and checks her watch. “You don’t have to leave for thirty minutes.”

“Remind me why you’re awake again?”

“My mom and I have our spa day today.” She smiles over the rim of her coffee mug.

“That’s right. A spa day sounds so nice.” I finish putting on my shoes and walk into the kitchen to begin packing my lunch. “How was Logan’s yesterday?”

“So good. He surprised me with a date to the botanical gardens and then dinner at this super good restaurant downtown.”

“That sounds like fun. It’s weird how little I see you now. What time did you get in last night?”

“It wasn’t too late. Maybe around eleven. I tried to come to talk to you, but it sounded like you were already asleep.”

“I think I fell asleep at eight. Which restaurant did y’all eat at?”

“A place called Del Bar, but oh my goodness stop distracting me. We need to talk about the boat and Jace.”

“The boat was fun, we should do it again,” I say, knowing it’s not what she wants to talk about, but I don’t have the energy to talk about him today. I don’t want to think about his infuriating smile or how his ab muscles formed a perfect v-shape that disappeared below the waistband of his swimsuit. That’s what I did yesterday while I nursed my hangover from said boat, but now it’s time to go to work.

“Lacey…” The tea kettle starts to scream and I grab a thermos from the cabinet. I continue to ignore her as I walk through my ritual of crafting the perfect London Fog.

“You know,eventually, we’re going to have to figure this out. I don’t want him around either, but by some weird twist of fate I fell in love with Logan and Jace is one of his best friends. I’m afraid we’re going to have to learn to tolerate one another.”

“I mean, do we? Maybe we could ignore that he exists. I’m sure he’ll be gone for work again soon anyway.”

“I don’t know. The guys made it seem like he’s home for at least the summer. I mean Logan’s mad, but Tanner still doesn’t know what happened and he’s starting to ask questions.”

“I told Tanner Saturday he can ask Jace what he did. I’m not going to ask them to stop being friends with him, but just because they are doesn’t mean I have to be. If they want to be friends with someone like him, that’s on them.”

“I get that, but I think he’s going to keep showing up. You know I love you and I’ll never forgive him for treating you the way he did, but I think we really need to figure this out. There are going to be times where you, him, and I will all be present.”

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