Chapter 41
Forty-One
Marie
I feel as though my heart is going to shatter when he turns and walks away.
I can’t believe I’ve been so wrong about this situation.
That I’ve fucked up so huge.
That he’s just like the?—
I freeze.
Drop into a crouch, my hands coming to the sides of my head, diving into my hair.
Because…he’s just like the others.
God , he’s just like the others.
My lungs hitch, my sobs almost escaping.
I can’t let him see.
I can’t .
I need to get out of here. I need?—
Hands on top of mine, carefully pulling them away from my face.
“What’s the matter, cookie?” Jace murmurs, and I can’t look at him, can’t feel him this close. Not when?—
I pull my hands free, brush at my face. “It’s nothing,” I whisper, turning my head away.
There’s a long pause. Then, “Why are you crying, gorgeous?”
God, it hurts when he calls me that.
When his reaction was?—
I close my eyes.
And he doesn’t want?—
The pain in my chest is so intense that it takes my breath away, that my eyes glass over again, that my lungs struggle to work.
“Marie.”
God . Why does his voice have to be so gentle?
Why does that gentle make all of this hurt so much?
“Cookie, just?—”
“I’m fine.” I stand, turn for my car. “I should go.”
He snags my arm, stopping me before I can escape.
I can’t look at him, not when my heart is breaking into a million pieces.
So, I just say again, “I should go.”
He rocks back on his heels, as though I’ve wounded him. “You’re going to do this”—he touches his pocket, where he’d so carefully stowed the patent approval—“and that”—a wave of his hand toward the land I’d so insanely purchased—“and you’re just going to leave?”
“I-it’s o-okay,” I sputter. “I know that this was a dozen steps too far. Don’t worry. I’m sure I can cancel the contract or resell the land. I?—”
“Resell the land?” He scowls then moves forward, forcing me to skitter back, not stopping until he’s pinned me between his body and my car. “Cancel the contract? What the fuck are you talking about, gorgeous?”
“You don’t want this,” I say. “I get it. Too much too soon. And?—”
“Did I say I don’t want this?”
It’s a dry question, one that stops the cracking of my heart, sending confusion ricocheting through me in its wake. “No,” I say, starting to come back to myself. “But then again, you didn’t say anything. You just walked away.”
He smiles, and it’s so beautiful it takes my breath away. “You’re right. I walked away. Because what you did with this”—another touch to his pocket—“and that”—another nod toward the sign—“are the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me.” A beat. “ Ever. ”
“Jace,” I begin.
“ Ever ,” he repeats. He cups my jaw, tilts my face up so our gazes are aligned. “And I love you for it.”
Every cell in my body freezes and I rasp out, “What?”
“I love you, Marie. I have from the moment you aced me out of my own Lyft.”
“I—” But I can’t summon any other words.
That’s okay, though. Because Jace is still talking.
“You know what I was thinking about when Brooks drove me over here?”
I shake my head.
“Nice play, by the way,” he says, lightly running his thumb over my cheek, “getting my friend in on the action. I didn’t suspect a thing.”
“I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
“Look at me, gorgeous. Really look at me.”
I already am. I can’t look away from him, can’t tear my gaze from his beautiful emerald eyes.
“So, you know what I was thinking on the drive?”
I shake my head again.
“That I would love to buy a lot up here, love to build a house together, something that is ours alone.”
My lungs inflate on a rush. “Really?”
His mouth curves up. “Yes, really.”
“Oh.”
“I’m in love with you, and the fact that you did this today, for me…I’m not running scared, cookie. I’m not leaving, not putting distance between us, not going to squander this opening you’ve given me into your heart.” He bends and presses his lips to my forehead. “It’s just…”
“What?” I ask breathlessly.
“I was overwhelmed because you just handed over the most priceless gift you could have given me.”
“What’s that?” I ask almost inaudibly. I know the patent is important to him because of all the hard work he’s been doing, and the land wasn’t cheap, but?—
He crouches a little, holding my eyes when he says, “You.”
I inhale sharply. “ Jace.”
“I love you,” he murmurs.
“I know,” I say softly. I’ve felt it, held it close, found the strength to give it back.
“And now she goes and quotes Star Wars on me.” A tug of my curl. “Could she be any more perfect?”
“You like Star Wars?” God, there are still so many things I’m learning about him.
But, for once, that doesn’t make me scared.
Because, God, I can’t wait to learn everything about him—from favorite movies all the way down to deepest darkest secrets.
Oh, wait. I already know those.
My heart’s swelling with happiness at that realization when he teases, “I think you just bought yourself a movie marathon.”
I groan, but I’m grinning. Because the original movies are some of my favorite films of all times. A dashing, handsome Han Solo, a feisty and strong Princess Leia? How could I not love every bit of them?
They’re Jace.
And me.
Us.
I touch his cheek. “So, you’re not mad that I got Brooks to help me?” I ask. “Don’t think I’m crazy about the property?”
“If you’re crazy then you’re in good company.” He tugs a curl. “Because we’re in it together.”
“You know I love you too.” It’s another blurt.
And he smiles. “I know, cookie.”
“And you’re going to have to get used to it, you know?”
Now his eyebrows drag together. “Used to what?”
“Me taking care of you.”
That frown deepens. “You don’t need to do that.”
“I know,” I say. “And I don’t care. You’re thoughtful and sweet and stubborn as hell, and I love you. So, you just need to deal with me looking out for you. Besides,” I add, “I know you’ll be doing the exact same thing for me too.”
His eyes are warm and soft and, God, I love him so much. “You’re right.”
“Ah,” I tease, smoothing my hand along the stubble of his jaw. “My most favorite words of all time.”
“Smart ass,” he mutters, turning his head, pressing his lips against my palm.
“You like it.”
“I do.”
“And you know what else?”
“What’s that, cookie?” he asks.
I lift on tiptoe, lean in so my lips are right at his ear. “I’ve got my sexy underwear on beneath this outfit too.”
His eyes go hot.
His arms band tightly around me.
His lips drop to mine.
And, long minutes later, we pile into my car and head home to celebrate by taking our clothes—including the aforementioned underwear—off.
Turns out that Jace’s is pretty sexy too.
And also that he was right all those weeks ago.
Home has become wherever we are together.
And that may be the most beautiful truth of all.