Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
TESSA
My doorbell rang, but I wasn’t ready.
I let out a groan of frustration, disappointed that, despite my best efforts, I was late. This was nothing new. But it bugged me, especially tonight.
Because I hadn’t wanted to do anything that would mess up this evening, and it was already starting off on the wrong foot.
I should’ve expected this was how things were going to go. Even though I’d had my text conversation with Ace from this morning and a full day of wonderful clients to keep my spirits elevated, those things struggled to do so when I’d received a text from Ryan.
My mood had been on such an upward trajectory after Ace had given me the opportunity to choose what to do tonight. He knew how much I loved roller skating, and it thrilled me that he was willing to take me out to the skating rink for a night of fun.
It figured that Ryan would reach out and ruin what was supposed to be a wonderful day. In all fairness, I’d allowed it to happen.
After getting myself ready this morning, I’d gathered up my things and was preparing to walk out the door to head to work when I received Ryan’s text.
Ryan
Despite your best friend’s brother acting like a tough guy, I don’t take orders from him. I want you, Tessa, and I’m fully prepared to get you back.
I’d been so caught off guard by his message. It wasn’t so much that I was shocked by what he said; it was more that he’d waited that long after Ace’s visit to say anything at all.
As I’d driven myself to work, I considered how to respond. Do nothing or put a stop to it. Ultimately, I’d decided it’d be best to just nip it in the bud, so I tapped out a quick reply as soon as I pulled up outside of work.
This has nothing to do with Ace. I’m done with you. I’m moving on with my life. I think you should do the same.
I tossed my phone in my purse and walked into the salon. My morning had been busy, so it hadn’t been terribly difficult to push Ryan’s text to the back of my mind. But when lunchtime rolled around, I had a voicemail waiting from him.
Simply seeing that message waiting there made me think that I’d decided wrong when I replied to his text earlier in the day.
Even though I thought I’d been clear about where I stood with him, perhaps Ryan believed it was an invitation for more conversation.
Maybe he thought it was an opportunity to discuss things and attempt to change my mind.
Against my better judgment, I listened to his voicemail.
“Tessa, we need to talk about this. I told you I’d give you some time, and I intended to do that, but I’m not going to accept having all your family and friends thinking they can waltz right into my law practice to speak their minds.
So, I’ll give you a couple of days, but we’re going to resolve this.
We’re going to be together, babe. I know you love me.
And I think the world of you. We were already good together.
I know we can be great. Take a few days and call me. ”
The more he spoke, the more one thing became clear. The man was insane. He clearly had unfinished business with his ex. I didn’t know why he even cared to hang on to me if she’d been capable of fulfilling his needs for nearly all the months that I was with him.
There was nothing for me to think about. I was done. It was over. So, instead of torturing myself with unwanted texts or calls from him, I blocked his number.
My afternoon had been nearly as busy as my morning, but I found it hard to push Ryan’s antics to the back of my mind.
Blocking his number felt like the right move, but it had me wondering if that might mean he’d go to other measures to contact me.
The only silver lining was that he’d told me to take a few days.
At least I’d have some time before Ryan would even realize I’d taken that step.
For now, my only hope was that Ryan reaching out twice today, killing my happy vibe in the process, wasn’t an indication of what was ahead for the evening with Ace. It was on that thought that I came to a stop at the door and blew out a big breath before I opened it.
Ace’s eyes swept down over me, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. I was standing there in an oversized T-shirt. Maybe I should’ve felt awkward, but this was Ace, and he’d already seen far more when I’d answered the door in my nightie. “Am I early?”
“I’m late. I know I’m late. I’m so sorry.”
“Ah, there’s no need to apologize. I’m sure I’m a few minutes ahead of schedule.”
Warmth moved through me. Ace was not early. He was right on time. But I loved that he wasn’t willing to make me feel bad about being perpetually late for everything.
“You’re being exceptionally gracious about this. I promise I’m almost ready, though. Can you give me a few minutes to get myself dressed?”
He jerked his chin down. “Go ahead. I’ll keep myself occupied until you get back.”
Without giving it a second thought, I reached out for his arm and curled my fingers around the outer part of his shoulder.
My mind registered the feel of the solid muscle beneath my fingertips, and I gave him a squeeze.
When I spoke, I hadn’t expected my voice to sound so husky. “You’re the best, Ace.”
His gaze darkened.
And since that look had me feeling all sorts of things I’d never felt before, I dropped my hand from his shoulder and dashed off to my bedroom without another look back.
As I went about getting dressed, I tried to shake off the budding nerves. It was an odd feeling. This was Ace, and we were just friends.
Had I imagined that look he sent my way when I touched him?
Even if I had, my own reaction to touching him wasn’t just in my head.
None of it made sense. Why had it felt so foreign to place my hand on his shoulder.
He’d held me in his arms several times already, even just as recently as two days ago.
Not once had any physical contact felt like it did today.
I couldn’t dwell on it. It wasn’t as though I’d get any answers by asking myself these questions.
So, I got dressed, put the finishing touches on my makeup, and ran my fingers through my hair that I’d taken the time to curl before Ace had arrived.
Satisfied with my appearance, I returned to the living room, where I found Ace relaxing on my couch.
There was something about the sight of him there that I liked a whole lot.
“Sorry about that,” I said as I entered the room.
He stood and moved toward me. “It’s not a problem at all.”
I swept my hand along the front of my body, gesturing to my outfit. “At least I look half decent now.”
“Tessa, there’s never been a time when you haven’t looked absolutely stunning.”
My brows shot up. “I was in nothing but a T-shirt when I answered the door. I can’t go out roller skating like that.”
One half of his mouth quirked with a smile. “Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean you looked bad.”
As much as I’d done to convince myself his gaze hadn’t darkened earlier, his words now told me that perhaps I hadn’t imagined it.
Since that was far more than I was prepared to handle, I simply offered a small smile and whispered, “Thank you.”
“Are you ready to go now?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, again, about not being ready on time.”
“Promise not to get mad if I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.”
His eyes were bright as he revealed, “I would’ve been shocked if I showed up and you were ready to walk out the door. I know who you are, Tessa, and I was more than happy to wait for you.”
The last thing I wanted to do was burst into tears, but Ace wasn’t making it easy to control my emotions.
I loved that he didn’t seem the least bit bothered by my habitual tardiness.
It wasn’t a great trait, but Ace seemed more than content to accept me as I was.
Ryan, on the other hand, always made comments about it.
I smiled at him, feeling my heart beat a little faster. “Shall we go?”
He swept his arm out in front of him and urged me to lead the way.
So, I did, grabbing my skates on the way.
And before I knew it, we were sitting on a bench just outside the rink, lacing up our skates. Ace didn’t have his own pair, so he was putting on his rentals while I donned my girly ones.
“Those are something else,” he noted.
I grinned. “Aren’t they fantastic? I love them.”
Ace laughed as I stood in front of him and showed them off. He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of me. “They suit you.”
My hands went to my hips. “Well, will I be able to actually put them to good use today, or do you find this glorious activity to be challenging?”
With his second skate laced up, Ace stood and said, “I guess we’ll have to find out. I might need you to hold my hand.”
I loved seeing the challenge in his eyes and the mischievous smile on his face. This was what I’d always known with Ace. Ease. Comfort. Fun. He’d always been such a laidback guy who was always up for a good time.
Unable to tamp down my own excitement, I was beaming at him as I reached my hand out to his. Ace hesitated for only a few seconds, his eyes darting between my hand and my face, before his hand engulfed mine. Then we made our way out to the rink.
Keeping track of time had never been an area of my life where I excelled.
But even if it had been, I wasn’t quite sure it would’ve been possible to do so now.
Because as song after song played, Ace and I made our way around the rink without a care in the world.
It was the most fun I’d had in a long while, and I couldn’t have been more grateful to Ace for giving this to me.