Page 123 of Touch Me

“It wasn’t bullshit. It was the same words I’ve heard all my life. And youknewthat.”

He looks ashamed and stares over my shoulder. “I know. Like I said, I knew it would make you hate me. And it would be easier for me if I knew you would never come back.”

I laugh.

He gives me a strange look like I’ve lost my mind. “What’s funny about that?”

“It’s funny because I did the same thing. I told myself you only missed the things I could do for you. That you only wanted me back because I brought certainbenefitsto your life.”

“Cassie, you are the one thing that made me see all the possibilities in life. Before you, I was a shell of a human. Functioning, yes, but just surviving. I wasn’t living. I spent one day with you, and I wanted to change everything about myself... for you. I wanted to be someone worthy of you. I wanted to be able to take you on dates, and walk down the beach holding your hand.”

He grabs both of my hands and pulls me to rest them on his chest. I look into his eyes and he doesn’t even flinch. The tears burn behind my eyes.

“I want you, every day. I want to go to bed wrapped around you. I want to wake up next to you and stumble half-dressed into the kitchen and make breakfast with you. I want all the toast tepees.”

“They’re tents. Toast tents.”

He brushes my hair back and grabs my face. “I want you, Cassie.” He leans in to brush a kiss on my lips as a tear escapes. “My Cassie.”

“Jace.”

“I know. We have some work to do.” He brushes the tears away and smiles. “Ihave some work to do.”

I nod, not trusting my voice.

“Just tell me you’ll be there.”

I swallow back the tears as he leans his forehead to rest on mine. “I’ll be there.” It seems my heart and brain are on the same page now.

He exhales and wraps his arms around me, squeezing me to him like he never wants to let go. I bury my face in his chest and hold on to make sure he doesn’t.

We stand in each other’s arms for who knows how long. Eventually we hear a throat clear and turn to see Chloe.

She waves. “I don’t mean to break up the reunion, but we have guests arriving and we’re ready to start.”

Jace straightens his suit jacket and stands tall. “Of course. Thank you, Chloe.” He puts his arm around me and pulls me close. “For everything.”

She looks at me and waits, like she is trying to see if I am upset at her interference. She smiles when I smile. “Well, Mr. Lancaster, are you ready?”

He blows out a breath and nods. “As ready as I’ll ever be. For people to stare, and ask questions, and want to shake my hand. Sure, sure. Let’s do this.” He looks like he is about to throw up.

“I can’t believe you did all this.”

He’s here!

“You’re worth it. All of it.” He leans down and plants a sweet peck on my lips. “Just don’t leave my side.”

“Jace, I have to. I’m working.”

“I got you, big brother.” Jess swoops and takes his other side. When I step away, she takes over, and Jace is never alone for the rest of the night.

I mingle with guests and talk art with professionals, and I feel like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be. Stella takes my hand, introduces me to some local artists and talks about me like she’s known me her whole life. In one single night, she solidifies my career, giving my name to contacts all over the state and giving me business cards of those not present.

I glance over and see Jace with a glass of champagne in one hand, Jess on his side, nodding at his portraits of me. He then turns around, points at me, and the man claps him on the back. I see a small flinch while the man sees nothing but Jace’s smile and the clear twinkle in his eye.

He wanted nothing to do with this world. No one was ever to see his work. But he’s here. He’s shaking hands and meeting new people. All of this is way out of his comfort zone, but he’s here. For me.

I knew the moment he stepped out of the shadows, when my heart leapt out of my chest and landed at his feet, I was his. It took my brain a minute to catch up, but I was always his. And he was always mine.

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