Page 40 of Give Me Redemption

“Oh my God, I didn’t know it was so late.”

“Well, you got out of that,” Jace says with a smirk. He sits up and pulls out his wallet, tossing enough down to cover everything.

“I can pay for my own,” I say to him.

“I got it,” he says. “This was my idea anyway.”

I bite down on my lip and look over at Chris who’s wiping out some glasses. He gives me a sideways glance. “Thanks,” I say to Jace as he stands up.

“Thank me by giving me your number,” he says.

My heart thumps.

“Okay,” I reply. He hands me his phone after he unlocks it, and I enter my contact info, almost forgetting and putting Harlow instead of Michelle.

Damn, this isn’t going to be easy. I need to go home and refocus. Jace has been great all evening. I haven’t had fun like this in a long time.

A really, really long time.

I stand up and adjust my shirt, not really sure what to do now.

I mean, I know we walk to our cars, but do we hug or anything?

That seems odd, right?

Was this a date?

He paid for my drink and food and he asked me here. Well, I told him where we’re going. I can be a little bossy, I guess.

I’m just used to doing my own thing.

We walk out and I give Chris a wave behind Jace’s back and mouth a thank you. He nods and we exit the pub.

The moon is hanging high and it’s full, covering everything in a bright glow.

“This was nice,” I say to Jace as I head to my car.

“Just nice?” he asks with a smile.

This man smiles a lot. Good thing he’s got a beautiful one. His teeth shine bright, and his eyes glisten. I have the strongest urge to rub my hand across his five o’clock shadow.

I have other urges, too, but let’s not think about those.

He looks at my lips when I grin back before glancing at my eyes again.

“A little more than nice,” I counter.

He balls his fist and whispers, “yes,” like his favorite team just scored a run.

I laugh and pull out my car keys, unlocking the doors with the key fob.

I reach for the handle and pull the door open. Turning around, I rest my hand on the edge of the door as Jace slides his hands into his front pockets.

God, why does he have to be Jace Grant?

Does the universe hate me this much?

This man is gorgeous, funny, and a breath of fresh air for me.

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