Page 10 of When Ben Loved Jace

“It got left out in a really bad hail storm,” I lie.

His face scrunches up in puzzlement. “Really? Because the roof is fine.”

“I don’t want to talk about it!”

He laughs and returns his attention to me. “So uh… When can I see you again?”

I suck in, like it’s a tall order. “I don’t visit my parents often. My mom barely let me go on this date.”

“And tomorrow is Christmas,” Jace says, nodding in understanding. “I’ll be out of town until the thirtieth. What about New Year’s Eve?”

“You mean the holiday that, ideally, always ends in a kiss?” I bite my bottom lip and nod.

His eyes are half-lidded as he studies me. “I can’t wait that long.” He glances around the parking lot, which has mostly cleared out. “And this doesn’t feel like the right place.”

“I’m not picky,” I assure him.

“I am.” He looks to the horizon and seems to find inspiration. “Do you mind following me in your car real quick?”

I shrug. “Where did you park?”

He nods, his yellow whatever-it-is the next row over. What were the odds? Not only have the fates aligned, they’re doing a chorus-line kick! My pulse is racing as I follow him and—thanks to all that is holy—manage not to ram his vehicle along the way. Our destination is a small public park two blocks over. Except for a playground, a baseball diamond, and a shelter with a few picnic tables, not much else is there. At this time of night—and year—we’re the only ones around.

“Works for me,” I say after stepping out of my car.

Jace takes my hand. “Almost there.”

I stumble along beside him to the baseball diamond. One corner of it in particular.

“First base?” I say in disbelief.

He nods with a shameless smirk.

“You’re ridiculous,” I say, my voice full of warmth, but it’s nothing compared to the heat I feel when he pulls me close and places his lips on mine.

All the other guys I’ve kissed before are forgotten in this moment. The feel of his body against mine, the protective arms that wrap around me, the affection dancing in his eyes when he pulls back… I’m sold! I take Jace’s hand and pull him toward second base. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to represent. I just want more!

Jace laughs and resists me enough along the way that I stop.

“I don’t want to rush this,” he says. “Is that okay?”

“Of course!” I grin as we meander toward our cars. “Wait, exactly how slow are we talking here? I mean, it took you three months to ask me out.”

“Was it that long?”

“Yes! I kept trying to lure you back in too. All those stickers I put on your Lucky Licks Loyalty cards? You must have redeemed them on someone else’s shift.”

“I never went inside if I didn’t see you working there.”

“Really?”

He nods and pulls out his wallet. Beneath the parking lot lights, I watch him fan out a bunch of the cards, all of them filled to capacity.

“How come you never used them?”

“I didn’t want you to think that was the reason I kept coming back. I hoped you’d realize I was only there because of you.”

I stare in disbelief. “Do you even like frozen yoghurt?”