For a while, we didn’t say anything. We just sat, watching the waves shatter against the rocks, the moon pulling silver ribbons across the black water.
And then, softly, he spoke.
“You know… I never thought I’d have this.”
I glanced over, heart tripping. “This?”
He turned his head slightly, eyes shadowed, lips pulling into a small, raw smile. “You. Us. Sitting here like this.”
My breath caught.
“I always figured I’d screw it up before it even started,” he continued, voice low, “and maybe I did. Maybe I already have.” His thumb rubbed absently at the silver ring on his finger. “But, Brit… when I’m with you, it’s the only time I don’t feel like I’m spinning out.”
I set my mug down, shifting to face him fully.
“Ace,” I whispered, “I’m scared too.”
His gaze flicked to mine, something flickering there — hope, maybe. Fear.
“I’m scared you’re going to break me again,” I admitted, voice trembling. “I’m scared of what you do to me. But… I’m also scared of what it means that I still want you this much.”
A sharp breath escaped his chest. He reached up, brushing his knuckles softly along my jaw, the faintest touch, like he was afraid I’d pull away.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he rasped. “I want to figure out how to be the guy who makes you happy. Even if I don’t know how yet.”
I leaned into his touch, eyes fluttering closed.
“Then let’s figure it out together,” I murmured.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved — and then his mouth was on mine, soft and slow, not like the desperate kisses we’d stolen before but something deeper, something that made my heart crack wide open.
His hands threaded into my hair, pulling me closer until I was half in his lap, until my fingers were fisting in his jacket, until the world blurred into nothing but the feel of his lips and the sound of his breathing.
When we finally pulled apart, breathless, foreheads pressed together, Ace let out a low laugh, shaking his head.
“What?” I whispered, smiling.
He brushed his nose against mine. “I just… I didn’t think I’d get here with you. And now that I am…” His eyes softened, vulnerable in a way that gutted me. “I don’t want to screw it up.”
I pressed my fingers gently to his lips. “Then don’t.”
---
We stayed there until the moon was high, wrapped up in the blanket, talking about everything and nothing — our favorite childhood memories, the worst mistakes we’d made, the dreams we were terrified to admit out loud.
For the first time, Ace let me see the boy underneath the swagger — the kid who’d never felt good enough, who’d learned to use charm and deflection like armor. And for the first time, I let him see the girl behind the walls — the girl who’d learned to smile through heartbreak, who’d been terrified of being vulnerable because vulnerability meant pain.
When he drove me home, the car humming softly through the quiet streets, we didn’t speak much. His hand found mine across the console, fingers laced together, and that said more than words ever could.
At my door, he leaned against the frame, hands in his pockets, eyes dark and intent on mine.
“I’m not ready to tell Corinne and Jasper yet,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself. “I need… I need this to be ours for a while. Just us.”
A slow, crooked smile pulled at his mouth. “Good. Me too.”
I bit my lip, heart pounding as I stepped closer, fingers curling into his shirt. “I’m really glad you showed up last night.”
His arms slid around me, pulling me against his chest. “Me too, Brit.”
