Page 50 of Unbreakable

“Well let’s get inside. I was hoping to grab a quick shower before you got here.” I tell him, opening the door and letting him pass inside in front of me. I step in the door, turning to shut it behind me, but pause and stare longingly at Knox’s door, fighting the urge to run over and pound on it hoping to talk, to explain everything.

“Dancin’ girl, go shower and I’ll get our food ready and pick a movie.” Jace calls out, pulling me from my reverie.

“Okay sounds good, it should take five, ten minutes max.” I say as I bounce off into the bedroom.

Almost ten minutes later, I come out to Jace relaxing on the couch, two plates of food and beers on chairs placed in front of the couch. Soaking it all in, I head over, plopping down beside him.

“You look refreshed. I saw the broken wood pieces, what happened? I’m assuming that was the coffee table.”

“Just a fluke accident. I meant to take it down to the dumpster, but never got it done.” The food looks amazing, picking up our plates we begin digging in as he cues up the movie. The laugh that comes over me and the food splaying everywhere is unavoidable when I see Deadpool come up on the screen. I wasn’t expecting this as his choice of movie.

We sat there laughing and talking through the first movie and jumping straight into the second. The distance between us on the couch continues to grow smaller until I am beside him, with my head resting on his shoulder and his arm lying across the back of the couch, his fingertips grazing across the bare skin on my upper arm. Goosebumps pop up all over me at his touch.

My eyes start to grow heavy, and I’m constantly blinking in hopes of keeping them open. I lose the battle as they grow so heavy I can no longer keep them open. I’m jarred slightly from my sleep as I feel my body being jostled and lifted up into the air. I know I’m being carried, but I’m so tired I never fully wake up.

I’m lowered into a pool of clouds, or what feels like it, and I instantly realize I'm in my bed when I smell the familiar fragrance of clean linen, the scent of my fabric softener.

“Babe, I’ve got to go, club business, but I’ll message you later.” I hear Jace whisper in my ear, before covering me with blankets and placing a soft, sweet kiss on my lips. That’s all I remember as I fall back into a sea of darkness.

I’m woken by my alarm clock in the morning, and I jump with a startle. Confused for a moment at how I got in my bed, but most of all, where is Jace. I head out into the living room, and instant shock hits me. All the broken pieces of the coffee table are gone, and all the debris has been cleaned up. But still no Jace.

I run my hands through my hair and head to the kitchen, I need coffee.

I fill the pot with water and hit brew, walking back into the living room to get my phone from where it was still in my bag, hoping it isn’t dead.

Pulling it out, I see a message and warm fuzzies take over me.

Jace: Dancin’ Girl. I know you were out of it and probably don’t remember me leaving. I got called out on club business and had to leave. I took care of the table for you. As soon as I get a break from this, I’ll give you a call. Hope you slept well.

Me: I did and thank you.

I’m shocked when I get an immediate response.

Jace: : ) I’ll talk to ya later Babe.

How can this man be so fucking sweet? I’d ruin him. I need to keep this as friends. Making any more of a connection has already bit me in the ass too many times, and I need to be able to make a clean break from here when it’s time. I remind myself of that over and over for the rest of the day.

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