---
Later that night, I sat cross-legged on my bed, fingers nervously twisting the bracelet from my own line, the one I hadn’t taken off since the launch. My heart was still racing from that kiss, my mind spinning in a thousand directions.
A soft knock came at my door.
“It’s open,” I called.
Ace peeked his head in, a sheepish grin pulling at his mouth. “I, uh… made you tea.” He lifted the mug like a peace offering.
I snorted, shaking my head as he walked in, setting it on the nightstand.
“Who are you and what have you done with the Ace I know?” I teased, trying to keep my voice light even as my chest squeezed.
He smirked, flopping down on the edge of the bed. “Maybe I’m trying to be the Ace you deserve.”
My smile faded. “Don’t… don’t promise me things you can’t give.”
His eyes softened as he reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together. “I can’t promise I won’t mess up. I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. But I can promise I’ll try. Every damn day.”
I sucked in a shaky breath, watching our intertwined hands like they were a lifeline.
“I don’t know if I can survive you again,” I whispered.
He squeezed my hand gently. “Then let’s survive each other.”
I laughed through the tears blurring my eyes, leaning into his shoulder.
Maybe love wasn’t about finding someone who was perfect. Maybe it was about finding someone who was worth the chaos.
And as Ace pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head, I let myself believe—for the first time in a long time—that maybe, just maybe, I was ready to take the leap.
---
The next morning, the house was quiet. Sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains as I padded into the kitchen, hair a mess, oversized t-shirt hanging off my shoulder.
Ace was there, leaning against the counter, two mugs of coffee waiting.
“Morning,” he said softly, eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Morning,” I whispered back, feeling warmth bloom in my chest.
We stood there in the soft glow of the kitchen, no words, no pressure—just quiet understanding.
And as I sipped my coffee, watching him over the rim of the mug, I realized something.
I was terrified.
But maybe love was supposed to be a little terrifying.
And maybe, just maybe, I was ready to give Ace a chance.
Chapter 32
Brittany
I stood in front of the mirror, palms pressed to the cool marble of the vanity, heart pounding like I’d run a marathon. My reflection stared back at me — flushed cheeks, wide, anxious eyes, lips still raw from the thousand times I’d nervously bitten them since Ace had texted me this afternoon:
“Pick you up at 7. Dress warm. Just us.”
