Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Pulling out my fake vape—the contraption I’d started using to give up real vaping—I took a deep inhale of the sweet cherry scented air before exhaling heavily. This was not the evening I’d planned for, and I was already itching to find a vape shop nearby so that I could get my hands on the real thing. Anything to take the edge off seeing Jace again after so long apart. During that time, I could almost forget the effect he had on me because the truth was I was still attracted to him. He was my first love, my only love so far, and I felt like, though we were no longer together, he’d always be imprinted onto my heart.
“Avoiding me?”
Ah, hell. Couldn’t he just give me a few minutes alone to get my bearings? Jace joined me around the side of the school building, his eyes cautious as he took me in.
“Just needed a moment,” I said through tight lips, taking another hit.
Jace’s eyes showed a hint of concern. “I didn’t know you vaped. You were always so against smoking.”
“It’s not a real one,” I said, holding it up to show him. “Margie let me try her vape about a year ago, and suddenly, I was hooked. I decided I wanted to quit last month and have been using this as a replacement. It’s just flavoured air. There’s no nicotine, but it mimics the habit. Helps with the oral fixation.”
Jace arched an eyebrow, his sensual lips curving with the ghost of amusement, and I knew he wanted to make a smart comment. I rolled my eyes. He chuckled, low and deep. I felt it reverberate through the pit of my stomach, easing something inside me.
“You can still read my mind, like always,” he said.
“Not quite, but I can imagine.”
He held out his hand. “Can I try it?”
I eyed him for a moment, finding his open, curious expression irresistible as always.
“Sure.” I handed it over, figuring it was fine since there was nothing addictive in it. His eyes remained on mine. My heart fluttered annoyingly as he took a quick drag, wincing before he handed it back.
“It’s a bit too sweet for me,” he said. I bobbed my head, hoping he’d leave. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Instead, he took a step closer, those mesmerising eyes once again running over me. “I never took you for the addictive type.”
No, that was always you, I thought but didn’t voice it. “It helped with my anxiety at first, made me relax, but then it just became a crutch, hence why I decided to quit.”
He studied me for a very long moment, and something thick and undefinable passed between us. Realising he wasn’t going to grant me my wish of a few minutes alone, I slid the fake vape back in my bag. “We’d better get inside.”
I made to move by him, but he caught my arm lightly. “I’m sorry about before,” he blurted, and I blinked, staring up at him. “I think you’re an amazing mother, and I’d never criticise your parenting. Everything you’ve done for Zara, especially when I …” He trailed off, his throat bobbing a little as he swallowed down some kind of emotion. “When I couldn’t,” he finished at last. “I appreciate it more than you know.” He paused, exhaling heavily as he took me in. “Anyway, it was a dick move to prod you about the driving thing. I just always want you and Zara to be safe.”
Now I was the one swallowing down emotion. “We are safe,” I replied, my voice quiet. “Like I said, there are other transport options, and my house is close to everything we need. Also, you don’t need to worry about my safety. I’m not your wife anymore, Jace. Zara is your only concern.”
“Hey,” he said, dipping his head to me. “We might not be married, but you’re the mother of my child. I’ll always care about you.”
Those words had another lump forming in my throat. They reminded me that he was once my best friend in the whole entire world, the person I’d told everything to, confided in with my biggest dreams and worst fears. Now we were relegated to this separate, almost transactional relationship, and it made me feel so horribly empty. “Jace—”
“God, you still smell exactly the same,” he said, breathing in, his face close to mine. “I love that perfume.”
“You know it’s always been my favourite,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. My eyes flicked to his, and I wasn’t sure what compelled me when I blurted, “You smell different.”
Jace’s eyebrow slowly began to rise, his expression somewhat amused. “I do?”
I cleared my throat. “Your cologne. It’s a new one, right?” Oh, hell, could the ground open up and swallow me, please?
His amusement grew. “Yeah, it was a gift.”