Page 11 of When Ben Loved Jace

He shrugs, as if apathetic.

I can’t help but laugh.

“I had a nice time, Ben,” he says, taking my hands in his. “I’ll see you at the end of the year.”

“Just one more,” I plead, placing my palms on his chest and pushing myself up on tippy toes to reach his lips again. The kiss is just as intoxicating as the first, if not even more so, but it does nothing to satiate my appetite.

I already know that I’ll never get enough.

Chapter Three

My parents always spoiled my sister and me on the holidays when we were growing up. Now that we’ve both flown the coop, they try even harder. We have so many presents to open that we get fatigued halfway through and save some for the next day. My mom makes our favorite meals. My dad breaks out old photo albums and gets weepy while rekindling old memories. Karen and I often exchange looks during all of this, like we’re glad to have escaped their madness, when in truth, it does feel good to be home again. Although I am eager to get back to my adult life.

Jace calls the day after our date to wish me a Merry Christmas. I hear from him again a few days later, the sounds of an airport in the background. “The airline I work for is throwing a big party downtown. There will be an open bar.”

“Most of themareon New Year’s Eve,” I reply.

After a pause and then a chuckle, he says, “Open bar means the drinks are free. The party won’t actually be at a bar.”

“I knew that!”

When he laughs again, I nuzzle the phone affectionately and accidently hang up on him. He calls right back, thankfully.

I try to keep myself occupied over the next couple of days. When not hanging out with my family, I spend time with Allison. We drive around our hometown to see what’s changed, although there’s one street in particular I don’t let us go down. We do walk around the perimeter of our old high school, which seems to have been robbed of its power. Previously it was a place of ridicule and fear. Now the school seems small and insignificant.

I get my hair cut the day before New Year’s Eve—just a trim—and on the day itself, put on a dress shirt and slacks that Allison helped me shop for with the cash I got from Santa. I’m glad she has good taste, because when I drive downtown to the location Jace provided, the neighborhood is a trendy mixture of boutique shops and high-rise apartments. The specific address he gave me has valet parking out front, which I find too intimidating to use, so I drive to a parking garage and backtrack on foot.

I’m relieved to see Jace waiting for me on the sidewalk.

I smooch him in greeting before we go in and line up for the coat check.

“Impressive,” I say, glancing around at the sprawling interior.

“It is,” he replies. “Which makes me wonder why the airline can’t pay us more.”

“Preach!” a woman behind us says. “I’m filling up my purse withhors d'oeuvres.”

I’m amused to see, when Jace takes off his long coat, that he’s wearing his flight attendant uniform. “You said you like it,” he murmurs when noticing my smile. “And uh… I just flew into town an hour ago.”

“I love it,” I assure him.

“You look stunning,” he murmurs, taking my jacket from me so he can hand them both to the attendant.

We ride an elevator up forty stories to a penthouse. When the doors ding open, I’m especially glad I got dressed up, because it’s an elegant affair. The sort I’ve only ever seen on TV. Chandeliers, waiters carrying trays of appetizers, a live jazz band… Tuxedos and evening gowns are prevalent. I suddenly feel underdressed.

I turn a manic smile on Jace as we walk into opulent surroundings. “Wow,” I squeak.

He doesn’t seem as impressed. “I’m guessing most of these people work for corporate.” His face lights up. “Thatis my tribe.”

He points to a bar on the far side of the room where the vibe is much rowdier. I hear screeching laughter. The revelers aren’t dressed as formally. I already feel better when we escape into the din. Jace keeps getting stopped by people who recognize him, but he insists on continuing until we reach the bar, where he turns to me.

“What’ll be?”

“Can I just get a Coke?” I ask with a grimace.

“Of course!”

That’s a relief. I’m not much for booze. I do indulge on occasion, but it only takes a few drinks to unleash the emotionally turbulent slut in me. I’m not ready for him to see that side just yet. Jace orders a martini.