Page 12 of Touch Me

I smile and meet his eyes.

His eyes flit around, landing on me a few times before he finally asks, “What?”

“Nothing, I just...” I swing my hands at my sides,like an idiot,“never heard you talk so much.”

“Well, it would be really weird if I walked around pointing and grunting, don’t you think?”

I laugh out loud, and his lip quirks in the corner. “Yeah, I guess it would.”

My cheeks heat as we enter the most uncomfortable standoff there ever was, each waiting for the other to move, or speak, or dance...something.

“Well, I’m going to unpack what your sister so graciously dumped in my room.” I peek around him, pointing down the stairs.

“Right, yeah. I’m going to be working for a while, so...”

“Of course. I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Okay.”

We turn at the same time and nearly bump shoulders. Jace huffs out a breath and stands back with a forced smile, gesturing for me to go first. I scurry past him, making it to the bottom before I hear him descend.

Back in my room, I organize the closet, putting away what little belongings I’ve accumulated. So, so pathetic. It takes me all of thirty minutes to unpack, and even then, it barely looks like I’ve moved in. I skitter across the hall to unpack a few things in the bathroom. The shower is a huge walk-in done in white marble with several showerheads. All the fixtures are sleek brushed nickel, and clean, fluffy gray towels are stacked neatly on a shelf.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable with this much luxury. It makes me nervous. I won’t be here for long, though, so I just have to be careful to leave the place exactly as I found it.

After everything is in its place, but hidden, because I have that pesky urge to go unnoticed, I pad across the hall and back to the bedroom. I lie back on the bed and release a pent-up sigh. What am I doing? This is never going to work. We are the epitome of awkwardness around each other. This room is plenty big enough for me to hole-up in, and there’s a desk I can use for research and writing.

No.

I’m an adult, I can handle this. I’m not going to be comfortable with everyone I work with for the rest of my life, so I should get used to overcoming awkward situations. I’m going to pull up my big girl panties and do the damn thing. We don’t have to talk, but I’m not going to stay in my room all the time to avoid him. He’s polite and perfectly harmless. I’ve known him practically my entire life and this is my new home for the next few months, so I may as well make the most of it. And there's no way I’m not using that kitchen.

That’s it, I’ll go grocery shopping. Digging in my purse for my keys, I make it all the way to the bedroom door before I realize my car isn’t here. Jess drove me here and abandoned me to my devices.

Evil wench.

Pulling my phone out to text her, I stop when I hear muffled voices down the hall. I can’t make out the conversation, but I can read the tone and the harsh whispering.Jace isn’t happy.With a groan, I pull myself off the bed and edge closer to the door. I can’t make out much, but the sentiment is clear. I lean my forehead on the wall and close my eyes.

I knew it.

There’s a familiar weight in the pit of my stomach. One of exclusion—of indifference. It’s a weight I thought I wouldn’t have to feel again. I swallow around the lump in my throat and will away the sting in my eyes.

I grab my purse and phone and head down the hall. The conversation abruptly stops when they see me. Jess looks down at her feet, and Jace turns and walks away.

I clear my throat and watch Jace walk out on the terrace. “What was that all about?”

Her eyes dart around the room, landing on everything but me. “Oh, nothing. I was just talking to him about coming home for the holidays.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s May,” I deadpan.

She forces a smile. “He usually takes a lot of convincing.”

“Jess, I don’t have to—”

“It’s fine.” She reaches over and rubs a hand down my arm. “Everything is fine. What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

She wants to deflect? Fine. “Can you take me to get my car?”

“It’s already in the parking garage. Ella was heading out to dinner with some guy, so I asked if she minded driving it over for you.” She drops the keys in my hand, and the weight of finality solidifies in my gut.I guess this is it.

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