Chapter 4 Lannie
FOUR
LANNIE
I’m torn between dragging Jace behind me like a mama bear protecting her cub—that’s not exactly what I’m feeling, but I can’t examine that too closely right now—and tearing the man with him limb from limb.
This isn’t me. But I’m around animals all day, so I can acknowledge this feeling as something primal. Protective.
And yet, somehow, I made everything worse.
Jace raises his eyebrows, and I’m struck by how grown-up he looks. Is it his new hairstyle? It’s still messy, but now it looks intentional. His confidence? Or seeing him in this new environment? Whatever it is, I’m not prepared for this Jace. The adult version of the kid I knew.
The kid I thought would be so happy to see me that he wouldn’t question why I’m here. Or why I tracked him down to a restaurant where he’s on a date.
Everything shifts. This is like all those Rook tournaments.
I was clueless until Jace pointed it out.
As my brain recalibrates—moving each piece into place—the picture becomes clear.
Jace is an adult. Or close enough. I swear he’s even gotten taller.
He graduates from college this year and doesn’t need his neighbor checking up on him or his date.
I’d gotten used to the hero worship, used to Jace hanging on my every word. Too used to it.
And then I mentioned his mom. What if he hates me? Complains to Suz—and if she hates me, she’ll—
It’s not the same. Stop spiraling, Lannie.
I take a deep breath. “Jace, can we talk about this somewhere else?”
The guy snickers, and I step forward. Not thinking. Not caring that we’re in a restaurant full of people. Just needing to wipe the smirk off the jerk’s face. Jace’s hand on my chest stops me. It’s gone just as quickly.
“Oh. God, your shirt. I’m so sorry.” Jace grabs a cloth napkin from the table and pats my chest.
His hands are bigger than I remember. And the one on my chest has my body reacting, and…it’s too much. I grab the napkin out of his hands.
“It’s fine.” I dab at my shirt, not caring about it but needing to do something.
The server—the one hovering and obviously eavesdropping—rushes over with the mop and a handful of napkins.
He starts patting me all over, and I step back from his wandering hands.
Jace lets out a growly sound that causes my body to react in a confusing way.
I turn so Jace doesn’t notice. “We’ve got this,” Jace says to the server. “Can you focus on the floor?”
Gently taking Jace’s arm, I steer him away from the spill. “I’m sorry. Can we talk?” I dart a glance at the other guy watching us. “Maybe after your date.”
The guy laughs and anger flashes in Jace’s eyes. At the guy? Or me? Maybe both. He turns to his date, his hands clenched by his side. “Do you have something to say, Felix?”
“Nope.” Felix holds out his hands. “Except now it all makes sense.” The words are said low, almost to himself.
Jace opens his mouth to respond. But then he presses his lips together as if holding back his words.
“I’m out,” Felix says to Jace, throwing a few bills on the table. As he walks by me, he smirks. “Good luck.”
I show amazing restraint by not punching his smarmy face. Once he’s gone, I turn to Jace. “Look, I’m sorry.”
Jace shakes his head, his eyes stormy. “I can’t do this right now.”
My chest tightens. And the scent of Italian seasonings—oregano, basil, and rosemary—makes me nauseous. “Jace. Please.”
“I’m going home…back to my apartment,” he says in a bossy voice that does nothing to help my body’s confusing situation. “Get cleaned up and meet me there. We definitely need to talk.”
At the hotel, I take my time cleaning up. I want to give Jace—and myself—plenty of time to cool down.
And to remind myself and my body of a few facts. This visit is a favor for his mom. Nothing more. Sure, I care about Jace, but that’s it.
This reaction to Jace is a natural biological response. My body is noticing for the first time that Jace is an adult. A guy, sure. But an attractive guy with messy brown hair and soulful eyes and a sweet, teasing smile—I choke back a groan.
My father’s face as he told me he never wanted to see me again flashes in my brain like a warning sign. Seeing that same look in Frank’s eyes would devastate me.
I can do this. Ignore whatever is going on with my body so I can help Jace and keep my promise to Suz.