Page 134 of When You Had Me Adapting

CHAPTER 56: AUSTRALIA

JACE

“Good morning, pixie.” I place a soft kiss on Lacey’s shoulder.

“What time is it?” she grumbles, pulling the covers over her head.

“Come on. Let’s get up and get some breakfast.” I tickle her sides. She tries to fight against me, but she finally gives in and fills the room with the sound of her laughter. “I could wake up like this everyday,” I say.

She pulls the comforter down revealing her sleepy face and messy hair. “How are you so full of energy after last night?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What happened last night?” I smirk, grabbing her and pulling her on top of me. She sits up, straddling my waist.

“Let’s see.” She rolls her eyes. “If I remember correctly, we had mind blowing sex, you told me you loved me, we fell asleep, and then I’m pretty sure you woke me up a few hours later and made me come a fourth and then a fifth time.”

“You weren’t complaining last night,” I tease. She bends down and presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “And I do love you.”

“I love you, too, but you’re insufferable,” she teases, stretching her arms above her head and yawning. She rolls off the top of me and begins walking toward the bathroom. I grab her wrist, stopping her. “Come back to bed with me, pixie.”

She shakes her head. “I need to pee and I want a shower. Give me five and then come join me.”

She walks across the carpeted floor and disappears into the bathroom. After a few minutes, I knock on the door. “Can I come in?” I ask.

She flips the door open, a sexy smile across her face. “Only if you promise to be good.”

I pull her towards me, wrapping her in a hug. I lean down, so my mouth is up against her ear. “I promise to be very very—” I begin, but I’m cut off by my phone ringing from outside the bathroom.

“Shit.”

“Go,” she urges. “It could be important. I’ll be waiting for you.” She winks, starting the shower.

I turn to walk out back towards my phone, adjusting myself in my underwear. I grab it and swipe up on the screen.

“Eli,” I answer through gritted teeth. “It’s Sunday.”

“Jacks,” she says. “I got a lot of people asking me about Australia and no one including me has heard from you. What’s going on?”

“I know. I’m sorry,” I begin. “I’ve been meaning to reach out, but I’ve been busy.”

“So, are you in?”

“Actually, no.”

“You’re kidding?”

“I’m not. Things have changed and while Australia sounds like an amazing opportunity and I’d love to do it, I can’t. My life’s here.”

“What do you mean your life is there? They really want you on the team. This could be huge.”

“I know,” I sigh. “It’s not that I don’t want to do it and I know I should have told you sooner.” I pick my words carefully. I haven’t told anyone about getting the job and I want Lacey to be the first to know. “This summer things changed. Lacey and I are back together. I want to be here, not halfway across the world.”

“I understand and I’m happy for you. Disappointed, but happy for you. I’ll let Ryan know we need to find someone else.”

“I’ll touch base with him this week and explain.” I pause. “Maybe the next one if it’s closer and I have time.”

“Sure,” she says. “I’ll let you get back to your Sunday.”

The line drops, and I flip around to see Lacey standing against the bathroom door frame, staring at me with her mouth slightly open.

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