Page 37 of When You Had Me Adapting

“Shut it, Jace. I would autograph one of mine, but I already donated two. They don’t need a third.”

“Alright, when? I have a bunch of prints at my apartment. Want to meet me here and we can go through them. You can pick something out and I’d be happy to donate it. My friend is coming over at one.”

“Oh, I’ll be long gone before then. Drop a pin and I’ll head your way.”

We hang up and I send Eli my address. I sit down on the couch and crack my knuckles. I look at my watch again: eleven fifteen. My phone pings and I swipe up on the screen.

Eli: Says I’m only 45 minutes from you. See you soon.

I lean back and shut my eyes. My mind drifts to my meeting with Lacey and I know I have to get it right. I somehow need to convince her I’m not the man she thinks I am. My chest tightens and I don’t think I‘ve felt this nervous in a long time. When she called me all those years ago she was so cold and emotionless. I’ve replayed that conversation more times than I care to admit. I wish she would have told me the real reason she was ending things. I wish I could go back in time and assure her that I onlyhad eyes for her, but that’s not how it happened and now I have so many questions.

Tanner walks out of his room. “You ready?” He sits down across from me putting on his shoes.

“I don’t know what to expect. I’m hoping she can clue me in on what went down that day in D.C., so I can convince her that I would never betray her trust.”

“It’s a good sign she’s coming over.”

“I hope so.” I rub my sweaty palms on my shorts.

“What are you going to do until she gets here?”

“I bought some food I need to get ready. Figured it might go better if I had snacks.”

Tanner’s face twists.

“What? You think it’s a bad idea?”

“No, it’s just interesting.”

“Care to elaborate?”

He leans back in his chair, crossing his ankle over his knee. “I think it’s funny that she has made everyone think you did this terrible thing, and you’re over here making her food.”

“We were young. I’m sure you did some dumb shit at seventeen too. Hell, you do some dumb shit now at thirty.”

“Oh, I’m not holding it against her. Trust me. I like Lacey, but you making her snacks tells me everything I need to know about you and how you feel about her.”

I don’t respond. Part of me thinks I should be angry, but I’m not, and I know that sounds insane. As much as I want to hate her for not fighting for us, for giving Alex a chance, for not being there when I needed her the most, I can’t bring myself to be mad at her. She means too much to me.

If anything, I’m hopeful that for the first time in ten years, we might have a chance to move forward, and that makes my heart swell. Over the last decade, there were so many times I wanted tocall her but knew I couldn’t. If today goes well, she may be a part of my life again, and I can’t think of anything I want more.

He chuckles. “I’m going to play pickleball and then I’m going over to Donovan’s. Wanted to give y’all space.” He stands and grabs his keys. “Text me when I’m cleared to come back, lover boy.”

I openthe oven and remove the pan of golden fries that just finished cooking. When we were younger, fries could fix everything when it came to Lacey, and I’m hoping that still holds true today. I sprinkle salt over them and give them a good mix.

Eli has yet to show up or text me back. I check my watch and it’s twelve forty-five. To say I’m a little annoyed is an understatement. I need today to go perfectly, and I don’t want Lacey to think meeting with her isn’t my priority. I hear a knock and I place the fries back in the oven to keep them warm before jogging towards the front door.

I’m met with short signature blue hair, brown eyes, and a big smile.

“Jacks!” Eli throws her arms around me. “It’s been too long, my friend.” I hug her back and quickly release.

“It’s about damn time,” I laugh, looking at my watch. Twelve forty-nine. Great. This is great.

“I know. I’m so sorry I’m late,” she says. “There was an issue with the rental car. I know you have plans at one. I promise to make this quick.” Eli moves past me and into my apartment.

“The photos are in my room. Come on.”

She follows me into my bedroom, where a dozen photographs of various animals I saw during my latest trip to the Amazon are laid out on my bed.

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