Page 76 of When You Had Me Adapting

“Yeah, I don’t think either of us were ever fully in it, but then Mom died and I wasn’t in a great place. She didn’t end it because she didn’t want to dump the guy that just lost his mom and I didn’t end it because I didn’t care either way.”

“I get that. I’m sorry again about hiding in the bathroom.”

“I’m glad you were there.” I nudge her shoulder with mine. “So what about you? Any exes I should know about other than Chris?”

She shakes her head. “Oh, well there was one guy. I think you know him,” she giggles. “Tall and blond. Lives with you. God, what was his name?”

“No idea,” I laugh. “Come on, no other guys ever caught your eye?” The vision of her kissing Alex pops into my head and I shove it away.

She swats me with her hand. “Not really. My dating history is mostly a bunch of first dates that went nowhere. If you walk away first, you can’t get hurt, you know?” Her voice is playful, but underneath it I can hear sadness too.

“Chris was the first guy I introduced to any of my friends, but I don’t even think he qualifies as an ex-boyfriend. We hadn’t even talked about being exclusive. I knew he wasn’t the one for me, but I think part of me saw what Logan and Poppy have and I wanted that. Figured that maybe if I stuck it out we’d get there one day.”

Another moment of silence stretches between us and I think about pulling her towards me, but she stares up at the sky. The dim moonlight highlights the features of her face and the slope of her nose. She’s so fucking beautiful.

I turn back towards the dark night. “Look!” I point up above us. A shooting star flies across the sea of black. “Hurry and make a wish.” Her eyes shut and I do the same. I repeat the wish I said a decade ago. When I open my eyes, Lacey is looking right at me.

“Did you just tell me to wish on a shooting star?” A smile erupts across her face.

“What did you wish for?”

“No, you know how it works. You tell your wish and it’s all over. Ruins the magic,” she says.

“Come on, I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours.”

She lets out a laugh and begins to stand. “Guess you’re gonna have to stick around, J.”

“What do you mean?”

“I promise to tell you mine when it comes true.”

CHAPTER 36: S.H.I.E.L.D.

JACE

Ibarely slept last night. I swear Tanner’s snoring was louder than the night before. I finally got out of bed at five and started my day with a long run. After the rooftop chat, I needed to clear my head.

I walk back through the front door and head into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, but when I get to the coffee maker, I find it’s already brewing. A mug and two sugar packets sit on the counter next to it. I look around the room and see that Lacey is sitting on the back deck—her blonde hair tied on top of her head. My face breaks into a wide grin.

I jog up the stairs and grab a quick shower before returning downstairs to make the cup of coffee she left for me.

“Care, if I join you?” I ask, sliding the door open and finding her reading.

“I was hoping you would,” she says with a smile. She sets her e-reader down and takes a sip from her mug. “How’d you sleep?”

“Awful,” I admit. “Tanner snores like he’s eighty and the pull out bed mattress is too thin. You?”

“Like a rock. My bed is like sleeping on a cool cloud,” she laughs. “It might be the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Plus, it was nice to have it all to myself.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Really rub it in, why don’t you?” I take a sip from my mug. “Thanks for the coffee, pixie.”

“Oh, it was nothing. I woke up wanting to try some.” She holds up her drink and I realize there is no tea bag hanging from it.

“You’re drinking coffee this morning?”

She nods. “Yeah, it felt right.”

“And?”

---