Page 12 of Always. Forever.

“Yeah, what I remember. The last part of the night is a bit of a blur.” He rubs his hand down his face.

“Mmm, I’m sure it is.” I take a sip of my shake and slide my eyes back to the TV.

“Your dad seemed to have a good time, he’s definitely happier.” I want to know if Cash said anything about Becky, like how serious it was. Jace is always up for gossiping with me, but we have never gossiped about his dad, so I’m trying to skirt around it and hope he spills the beans. Who am I kidding, I’ll just outright ask if he doesn’t.

“Yeah, it has to be Becky.” He shrugs.Why can’t men be more like women and be dying to tell us every detail.

“Did he say anything,” I say while keeping my eyes on the TV.

He shakes his head, taking another sip of his coffee while watchingFriends. “No, he didn’t even mention her to me and Boh at work. You know what my dad’s like.”

“Moody prick? Oh, yeah, I know,” I tease.

Jace laughs. “I don’t know, there was a difference to him last night. He’s normally too uptight out of work. He always wants to be in the office, working nonstop, anything outside of work is . . .”

“Unimportant? Irrelevant? Annoying?” I add in.

“I wouldn’t put it like that, he just loves what he does, and when he’s away from it, he’s uncomfortable, I guess.” He shrugs. “He doesn’t like being away from his work and letting go or having fun. A bit like me with you,” he says, leaning over and placing a kiss on my temple.

I turn to him, raising an eyebrow. “How is your dad’s work obsession like you and me?”

“Not obsession,” Jace states, still watchingFriends. “More like a security blanket,” he says with another shrug. He looks at me as I wait for him to continue. “My dad’s work is his security blanket and you’re mine. I never feel fully myself when I’m not with you.”

My stomach flips. The way he can say things so casually but have no idea the effect they have on me.

I lean over, planting a big kiss to his lips.

“I love you, Mr. Stiles,” I murmur into his lips.

“Always?” He smiles.

“Forever,” I state while lying back against the headboard so he can finish his coffee.

“We should talk more about the vacation you promised me.” I smile at him.

“We can look at some places tonight if you want, babe.” Jace stands and picks his empty tray up off the floor.

I get up and grab the tray from him.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Remember, I’m brunching with Toni today, but I’ll be home by about six, so we can have a look then?”

“Sounds good, baby. Thank you for breakfast, it was nearly as amazing as you.” He winks and slaps my ass as he heads into our en suite.

I roll my eyes while walking out of the room but shout over my shoulder for him to not take long. Our main bathroom only has a bath, but I don’t fancy one of those today, I would rather have a shower.

“You could always join me,” he shouts back through the closed door.

I stare at the bathroom door. “Fuck it.” I place the tray on the bed and walk straight into the bathroom.

Chapter Four

Thecityisbusytoday, there is some kind of market going on near the seaport—according to the Uber driver—causing an annoying amount of traffic. We are basically gridlocked, it doesn’t seem like we’re going to move. I will be so late if I stay here, and we might lose our reservation.

“Excuse me, can I just jump out here?” He nods. I jump out, spin around, and tell him “Thank you” before slamming the door. I’m only about a ten-minute walk. I glimpse at the time, and it’s five minutes to noon. I will be slightly late but hopefully, Toni is there.

Luckily, I’m wearing thigh-high flat boots and not heels. I kept it casual with jeans and a button-up top. I pinned my hair up in a tight bun on the top of my head. It was greasy and I couldn’t be bothered to wash it this morning. The shower Jace and I took, took far too long, which had me rushing to get ready.

Blossoms comes into view as I round the corner. This place is Toni’s and my favorite place to have bottomless brunch. It also lights up the whole high street. It’s neon-pink sign that saysBlossomscan be seen from half a mile away. The whole shop front is surrounded by all kinds of pink flowers. It’s truly stunning and grabs your attention when you walk past. It’s one of the most popular bars in Baltimore. They only started doing bottomless brunch a couple of years back.

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