Page 43 of Head Over Wheels

Next up is a house salad that is anything but boring, filled with artichokes and roasted beets. There isn’t enough time for questions. We’re simply enjoying the food and all our conversation surrounding it.

The server brings us the roasted trout and the flank steak next, and we share both. I’m starting to get full, but the food is so good I’m loath to leave even one bite left on the plate. I lean back and let Jace have the last couple pieces of steak, worrying that I may need to be rolled out of here.

“Hey, I’m just going to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a sec.” I get up and walk away, hoping that some movement will help all the food settle. And maybe make some space for dessert.

When I come back to the bar, my stool looks higher than earlier, and I stand beside it gearing myself up to get back on it. Jace seems to notice my hesitation and reads my mind. He stands and gives me a boost back onto the high stool. Then he pushes it closer to the bar, leaning close and whispering in my ear.

“You’re so beautiful. I’m really glad you stayed another night.”

A wide beam slides over my lips and gets bigger when he kisses the side of my mouth. I think I see a small flash of light and immediately look to my right to the open part of the restaurant. I don’t see anyone looking at us, so I shrug it off. It must just be my mind playing tricks on me.

We order dessert, because of course we do. It’s dessert, and this meal has been incredible. The dish is an earl grey crème brulée, and we share it, taking turns breaking the crunchy shell and scooping out delicious bites of custard.

Jace insists on paying the bill, and I gather my coat, hoping I don’t fall off the stool when we get up. He’s right beside me when I start to move and gives me his hand to steady myself.

“Such a gentleman,” I gush, wondering how he can read my mind, and he smirks at the acknowledgement.

We do our coats up and saunter hand in hand towards the front door. He holds it open for me, and as I duck under his arm, I see it before he does.

CHAPTER 32

Flinging myself backwards, I use my momentum to push Jace out of the doorway and close it behind me.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jace grabs my arm to steady me, a crease visible between his eyebrows.

“Sort of?” I bite my lip and try to figure out what is going on.

“Do you feel sick? Do you want to sit down?” He gestures at the bench in the entrance, and I let him guide me over there.

Patting the spot beside me, I try to find the words. “Come sit. I’m not sure what’s going on but there are a lot of people standing just outside the restaurant. With cameras. I think they’re paparazzi?”

He winces. “Hmmm, that’s not great. Are you okay? You’re not hurt in any way?” He’s looking me over; I’m not sure what he thinks could have possibly happened in the two seconds the door was open.

“I’m fine. But how did they know you were here?” I sink against the wall. It’s crazy that they’re this interested in Jace. But Elevate has been so popular here, and he was just on TMZ this morning so I guess he’s hot news right now.

“Who knows…maybe someone saw us and snapped a picture earlier. All it takes is one person.”

My spine tingles when I hear his words. “Oh. OH. Now that you mention it, I’m pretty sure I saw a flash earlier when you were helping me back up onto the stool. I’m so sorry! I should have said something right then.” My hand covers my mouth as I realize we could have avoided this.

“Why are you sorry? How were you supposed to know? I’m the one who’s sorry for putting you in this position. I know you were trying to stay out of the limelight.” He bows his head, and my heart sinks.

“It’s okay, Jace. I’m more worried about you and how you’re going to get out of here without them getting more pictures of us. You don’t want to have to start explaining me to everyone.”

He looks right at me then. “Ella, I’m ready to tell absolutely everyone who you are. I’m ready to sing it from the rooftops if you’ll let me. I just want to do this at your pace so that you feel comfortable. I don’t want you to be forced into it.”

His words wash over me, and I sit and let them percolate. Do I care if everyone knows who I am? And that Jace and I are in a relationship? If we keep trying to hide it, there will be more of this. More hiding and sneaking around. More awkward departures from restaurants. Possibly outright lies to hide my identity. Seems like a lot of work, and the thought makes my shoulders slump in exhaustion.

Jace slides his warm, strong arm over my shoulders and pulls me into his chest. “Where did you go? Am I moving too quickly for you?”

I rush to reassure him. “No, not at all. It’s not that at all. I’m really happy that you’re in this, and I’m fully invested as well. The thought of trying to hide it from everyone though…” I trail off, not sure how to put it into words.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. While sneaking around a little can be exciting—” he winks a baby blue at me— “it’s nice not to have to worry about it all the time.”

Can I do this? Am I ready to have the whole Elevate world know who I am? They’ll dig into every aspect of my life. But I’ve been pretty boring up to now. It’s not like they’ll find anything interesting if they dig through my past. Maybe it’s time to do this and just get it over with.

“Jace, I think, ugh I don’t know.” Now I’m worried he’s not ready yet. Why am I overthinking everything so much?

“Tell me what you’re thinking. I’m no mind-reading vampire, I need actual words.” The corner of his mouth turns up.

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