Chapter 8

• Jace
• My family is so touchy when it comes to my girl. These women keep hugging her and sniffling. She is not going to die. She is just going back to her tiny apartment. Why can't she just sleep over? Who cares if it's her first visit? I have heard of girls who sneak into boy's houses even when the parents have no idea how she looks like. But Amy is not one of those girls, I have to remind myself. She is a composed and sane individual. That is why the kids kiss her on both cheeks and force her to promise to visit again.
• I feel awkward standing there in the living room and watching the boys speak emotionally to Amy. This is incredibly... I don't want to say heartwarming because I am a selfish jerk. Amy keeps smiling and I am thinking she will have to massage her cheeks when she reaches home.
• "Come on guys. Don't weep Infront of her. You will scare her and she will not want to come back," and I really want her to, I don't add that. I have to keep it to myself, for the meantime.
• "We aren't weeping," Sophia defends them.
• "Looks like it to me," I say.
• "Can't you tell when people are really happy?" Jordan snaps, and I can't help rolling my eyes. This is too much.
• "Amy, we have to go now before your dress gets socked up in tears," I say as I reach for her hand.
• "Just a minute," she requests.
• I don't want to seem like the party party pooper here, so I let her give Jose an awkward hug. This is crazy! I scream in my head. Jose too? And Patrick. I have got to get Amy the hell out of here. And real quick.
• "I promise I will be back soon," she assures Ellen and the kids. Relief floods my entire body and I smile.
• When we reach outside the house, a smile is still lingering on Amy's face. She looks so lively and happy. I feel very proud that I made a move that led to that beautiful smile.
• "Are you sure you still want to go home. My offer is not yet expired," I offer. She chuckles.
• "No, I haven't changed my mind," she says.
• "A man can hope," I mutter, mostly to myself.
• "I heard that," she says.
• "Well, did it change your mind?" I ask.
• "Nope," she says flatly.
• I lead her to the garage and open it to reveal my Jeep. I walk to the passenger side of the car and open the door.
• "Wait, is this your car?" she asks with clear disbelief.
• "Yeah, why not?"
• "I wasn't going to add why not," she says and her face frowns. I don't know why I can't stop being a dumbass. Tonight has been so great for Amy and I don't want to drive home while her face is frowned.
• "Come on. Hop in. I want to drive you home before it is too dark," I say and smile in hope of easing away the frown I have created on her face. I am rewarded with a shy smile.
• The drive to Amy's apartment is awkwardly quiet. I ease the tension by turning on the car radio. Amy just keeps drumming her fingers softly on her thigh to the music. I keep stealing glances at her face while she is unaware. She is really beautiful, especially now when she seems occupied with the music. I want to reach over to her and tuck those stray hair strands behind her ear but I have to keep my hands to myself for now. The last thing I want is to cause an accident because of a beautiful distraction.
• I walk Amy to her door. She gets her keys from her purse and unlocks the door.
• "Do you want to come in," she says.
• "If I did, I wouldn't leave," I tell her sincerely.
• "You don't have to," she says and her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink.
• "Are you asking me to stay, Amy," I ask, cocking my head to study her face.
• "Maybe," she says.
• "I spent the entire day with you and you still want me to stay at your place?" I ask, I really want to extract the truth from her.
• "I just wanted you to see my place," she says as she plays with the doorknob.
• "I very much want to, Amy," because I don't want to be away from you for a second, but I don't add that.
• "Okay," she says as she opens the door widely.
• I come in and Amy closes the door behind her. The entire place smells of her. Her scent is my newest addiction, and I want to breath it for the rest of my life. Everything is neatly organised and clean. It is clear from her personality that you wouldn't open the door and dive into a pile of trash. That is one thing that is making me fall deeper in love with her. Did I just admit that? So what if I did? Maybe it is time I start accepting how I feel.
• "What are you thinking?" Amy asks me as she walks into her tiny kitchen.
• "I am thinking that this place is too small," I reply.
• "That is what I can afford," she says. I want to tell her that she can move in with me but it is too early for that. She will live with me eventually, but that is if she is really my fated mate. I am not sure yet.
• "Would you like something to drink?" she asks from the kitchen.
• "Some buzz will do," I reply as I walk into the kitchen.
• "I don't have any liquor in my fridge," she tells me with her hands on her hips.
• "I know," I say with a smirk. "I was just messing with you."
• "Quit messing with me, Jace," she warns with hooded eyes. I walk closer to her.
• "Are you threatening me?" I ask.
• "I hope so," she replies.
• "Well, I can't seem to stop messing with you, Amy," I say. I inch closer to her so that I can breath in the scent of her body.
• "I can't stop myself, even when I try. You are like a drug to me. When I start messing with you, I can't stop. I want more. I am addicted to you, Amy," my tone is low, deep and seductive. Her breathing hitches and her chest heaves up and down. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. I inch closer and whisper into her hair.
• "Oh, what you do to me."