“However now, you actually owe us dinner,” Eli provides, his eyes gleaming as he grins at me.

I snicker.

And eventually really feel that decade-long restlessness fade from my soul.

41

KAYLA

The coffeeshop is bustling with exercise once I stroll in. Chatter and laughter combine with the whirring and hissing from the flamboyant espresso machines behind the counter. I scan the pale wood tables till I discover the people who I’m in search of.

Jenn is sitting subsequent to Felicia, one of many ladies that we met at that celebration all these weeks in the past, they usually look to be engrossed in a deep dialogue about one thing. Throughout the desk, Aurora is laughing at one thing that Mitch stated. Ever since they met throughout that consuming sport we performed, they’ve been casually flirting each time they see one another. Aurora hasn’t stated something, however I feel they is likely to be on the verge of courting. Lionel is sitting within the chair subsequent to Mitch, trying considerate as he stares unseeing on the desk whereas he absentmindedly makes use of his straw to stir his iced espresso.

I stride as much as them and pull out the chair reverse Lionel. All of them flip in the direction of me.

Aurora’s stunning face lights up with a shiny smile. “Kayla! You got here.”

“In fact I did,” I reply, smiling again at her.

She winces apologetically. “It’s simply… after what occurred with Jace and your dad and all that, I wasn’t positive if… Nicely, in case your freedom of motion had been impacted.”

“I’m an grownup. He can’t precisely floor me anymore.” I chuckle and provides her a understanding look. “Not that he didn’t strive.”

“Nicely, I by no means doubted you for a second,” Jenn says as she slides an iced espresso in the direction of me.

Taking the drink she should have ordered for me after they arrived, I give her a grateful smile and a nod. Since I confirmed as much as college with a distinct bodyguard this week, I needed to inform them what occurred with Jace. At the very least the quick model of it. They understood. Regular twenty-year-olds don’t have to fret about their mother and father’ approval or opinions, however for individuals like us, who’re so intricately linked to our household companies, it’s slightly completely different. It’s one of many few downsides of being a wealthy heiress.

“Yeah, uhm, talking of…” Lionel abruptly says. He leans to the left after which the suitable, scanning the area behind me, earlier than his stunned grey eyes meet mine once more. “The place is your new bodyguard?”

A villainous grin spreads throughout my mouth. Leaning again in my chair, I cross my ankles and flick my hair behind my shoulder. “In all probability nonetheless sitting on the sofa in my residence, guarding me whereas I’m taking a nap.”

He jerks again and blinks in shock. Aurora laughs loudly sufficient to startle Mitch, who then glances between me and her since he’s probably not all that conversant in my state of affairs.

I smirk and take a sip from my iced espresso. “It’s actually not that troublesome while you’ve been doing it your entire life.”

At the very least not except it’s Jace holding watch.

Ache stabs by means of my coronary heart.

God, I miss Jace.

Aurora laughs once more. Jenn shoots her a glance that appears to say, I informed you so. Felicia simply shakes her head in confusion.

Then Aurora goes again to flirting with Mitch and Jenn resumes her dialogue with Felicia. It feels like they’re speaking a few fantasy collection. Or perhaps an anime. However I can’t actually concentrate on what they’re saying as a result of my thoughts retains drifting again to Jace.

Whereas taking one other sip of espresso, I discreetly look at Lionel. Since we’re sitting reverse one another, I believed he was going to begin up a dialog the best way he often does. However fortunately, he appears to learn my temper and as an alternative merely pulls up his telephone and focuses on that as he varieties one thing.

Reduction sparkles by means of me, as a result of I’m abruptly not within the temper to speak to anybody.

I miss Jace.

It’s ridiculous, I do know that. I’m not a child. I don’t want anybody. I’m cussed and unbiased and I can maintain myself. However I nonetheless miss him.

And I didn’t notice simply how a lot I’ve come to like having him in my life till he’s abruptly gone from it.

I like his silly jokes and his swaggering confidence. I like his foolish lectures about how breakfast is crucial meal of the day. I like the meals that he makes for me. I like his sensible smile and his glittering brown eyes, so vigorous and power and mischief. I like how he all the time makes my life really feel simpler. Lighter. Even through the darkish moments. I like how he by no means backs down. I like that he’s by no means intimidated by me. By my wealth or my energy or standing. I like that he sees me. That he will get me. I like?—

Shocked realization pulses by means of me, and I sit again in my chair. Blinking, I stare on the brick wall on the opposite aspect of the coffeeshop whereas that sudden realization finishes echoing by means of me.

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