Page 62 of When You Had Me Adapting

“The nickname is something stupid he’s called me since I was seven. It’s not like he calls me baby or babe. It’s an inside joke from when we were kids.”

“And the book thing?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he likes romance books.” I shrug and try to laugh, but he continues to stand there stiff as a board with his mouth in a thin line.

“Look. You and I haven’t talked a lot about our past relationships, but I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Please let’s go inside. I’m tired and I was really looking forward to you staying over.”

The corner of his mouth tips up slightly.

“Does that mean you’re coming in?” I reach my hand out and to my surprise he takes it in his.

Disappointment fills me with how underwhelming the gesture feels. My skin doesn’t react to his touch at all. In factboth of our hands feel a little sweaty from the heat and my gut reaction is to let go, but I don’t. I will myself to push that idea as far out of my head as I can and lead him through the door instead.

My alarm blares,and I look over to find the other side of my bed empty. After Chris followed me inside, we fell asleep. We didn’t revisit the conversation that happened outside the apartment door. When I asked him if he would be coming with all of us to the cabin, he gave me some noncommittal response about having to check with work.

We brushed our teeth, changed into pajamas, and then fell asleep without even a foot graze under the covers. It’s now six thirty and I don’t know at what point he left because I might as well have been sleeping in my bed alone. I breathe out and rub my hands over my eyes. Scanning the screen of my phone, the green and white message app is topped with a little red five. I swipe up and I’m met with message after message from Jace.

Jace: Tonight was a blast!

Jace: I can’t believe the Bix was the winning answer!

Jace: How long have you known I found it?

Jace: The Bix I mean.

Jace: Shit, sorry. I know it’s late. I hope none of these woke you.

I let out a giggle. He was always cute when a little flustered.

Lacey: You didn’t wake me.

Jace: Good morning, pixie!

Lacey: Morning!

Lacey: I’ve known about the Bix since the day we went out on the boat. I’m really proud of you.

Jace: Why didn’t you say anything?

Lacey: Because I didn’t know if you wanted me to and us being friends again is still so new.

My phone rings and Jace’s name is displayed across the screen. I sit up in bed and smooth the comforter around my legs.

“Hello.” My voice sounds groggy, so I clear my throat and try again. “Hello.”

“Hi, pixie.”

My stomach does a flip at the sound of the nickname coming out of his mouth. My eyes find the clock on my bedside table.

“Everything okay, J? I’m about to start getting ready. My boss asked me to work today.”

“Oh yeah. Right. I wanted you to know that when our team found it, you were the person I wanted to call. More than anything I wish we could have shared that moment because it felt like it belonged to you and me.”

The line is silent for a few moments and I have to remind myself to start breathing again.

“Anyway, I, um, I’m glad you know about it now and yeah, I guess I wanted you to hear me say that versus reading it on a text.”

“Thanks for telling me. Are you really reading the entire Bridgerton series?”

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