Page 140 of When You Had Me Adapting

We walk back downstairs hand in hand. After some introductions, we talk through the next steps. I sit there listening to Jace talk through things. He doesn’t let go of my hand the entire time she speaks to us.

“I’ll get the offer paperwork all squared away and over to you tomorrow,” she says. “Y’all have a strong offer and the sellers are motivated to sell it, but I’ll be in touch.” She smiles, shaking both of our hands.

We climb into the Jeep and it hits me that we’re going to have to talk to our friends.

“When do we tell Poppy and Tanner we’re moving out?” I ask. “Shit, I feel like such a bad friend. I mean, our lease is up next month, so she’d need to find a roommate. Do we wait until they accept the offer or do we tell them now?”

“If we don’t get this house, I still want to live with you. If it’s not this one, then it’ll be a different one or we can find an apartment. Hell, I’d live in a tent with you. I think we have to tell them now.” He squeezes my hand. “Is that what you want?”

“Yeah, more than anything.”

“Okay, so we tell them now. It’ll give them time to find new roommates. Didn’t you say Wren said she might need a place to live? Maybe she can take over your lease.”

“Oh my god, you’re right. That’s good. Poppy is going to need a plan, so she doesn’t stress. I’ll remind her about Wren. What about Tanner?”

“Tanner will be fine,” he laughs. “Half the time he doesn’t even accept my rent payments.”

“He doesn’t accept your rent payments? What exactly does he do for a living?”

“Some type of office job with his dad. Honestly, he’s told me before and I can never remember what it is exactly.”

“He’s like if Chandler and Joey fromFriendshad a baby.”

“He really is.” Jace and I both start laughing. I look over to where he sits. His smile takes up his whole face, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want to spend forever laughing with him.

“I’m really happy, J.”

“Me too, pixie.”

We drive the rest of the short distance, and I tell him all the things I would want to do with the house. He doesn’t say a word; he just listens and nods. We talk about paint colors, furniture, and rugs. I take out my phone and start saving inspiration pictures, flashing them towards him as I talk.

“That would be great,” he says. “I can’t wait to make it ours.”

“I like when you say that.”

“Say what?”

“Ours. It has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think so?”

“A very nice ring to it.” He kisses the back of my hand and turns into the parking lot of my apartment complex.

“It’s going to be okay. She’ll understand,” he assures me, pulling into a parking spot.

“I hope so.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I nod. He unbuckles his seat belt and goes to open the door.

“You don’t have to walk me up. I need to get this conversation over with and if you come up you’ll distract me. Go home and tell Tanner. I’ll text you later.”

“I like to distract you, though.” I slap at his chest, and he pulls me into a chaste kiss.

“I love you.”

“I love you more,” I tease winking in his direction.

“I love you most,” he answers back. My heart skips a beat.

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