Mila Wilson is quiet, anxious and a little bit of a mess. Panic attacks have ruled her life for as long as she can remember - but starting college is her chance to take control. Love? Not something she believes she's built for.
Then she meets Jace E...
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"Yeah, man, what's up?" Austin leans on his elbows, eyes locked on Jace with interest.
Jace sighs. "I told you about what happened at the park with Mila, but yesterday Derek showed up at their dorm room," he says, mimicking Austin's voice.
"Fuck, seriously?" Austin's face tightens with anger. "He didn't touch you, did he?" His gaze shifts to me, concern clear.
I shake my head. "No. You know Derek?" I ask quietly.
"I've heard of him, and all the shitty things he's done," Austin starts, then cuts himself off. So Austin knows about Derek too, but Jace still won't tell me everything. There's clearly more to that story, but I decide to let it go—for now. Not exactly dinner conversation. "What did he want?" Austin presses again.
"He tried to get his way, intimidated Mila. Who the hell knows what he was after. Just don't leave Bree alone in there anymore. I'm not too worried, but I wanted to talk to you first," Jace says, his hand casually resting on my thigh.
"Scare me with what?" Bree's perky voice cuts in as she returns to the table.
Jace glances at Austin, waiting for a nod. They share a quiet moment.
"I already told Bree about what happened in the park," I say.
"Yeah? Did something else happen?" Bree looks concerned now.
Austin nods slightly. "He showed up at your dorm yesterday, wanting to talk to Mila. Nothing happened, but Jace told me you shouldn't be alone there anymore."
"Oh," Bree says. "I'm not scared of that idiot. I'd kick him in the balls if he came near me." I can't help but chuckle.
"Why? How do you guys know him anyway?" Bree presses.
An awkward silence falls. Bree knows about Jace's drug dealing, but Jace doesn't know that she does.
"Alright, there's clearly an elephant in the room, so I'm just gonna say it," Jace starts, again looking at Austin for support. Austin nods.
"I know," Bree admits, meeting Jace's eyes before he can speak.
Jace nods back. "He's a client of mine, involved in some things. Best you don't know all the details," he explains.
Bree nods understandingly. "Alright, I'll make sure not to be alone then," she says with empathy.
I'm grateful she's not judgmental about Jace's drug dealing. I give her a quick, thankful smile.
"I'll be right back," Jace says, giving my thigh one last touch before leaving the table.
"I hope it was okay that I told him?" Bree asks, genuinely worried.
"Of course. I would've told him eventually anyway," I reassure her.
"If you hadn't found out through Mila, you'd have through me," Austin adds.
"Okay," Bree sighs in relief. "And how are you holding up, Mila? This has got to still be a big deal for you." She lowers her voice.
"Yeah. What does an idiot like Jace deserve someone like you?" Austin jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
I laugh. "He accepts me as I am, so I do the same for him. It makes me uncomfortable sometimes, but... I wouldn't want to be without him anymore," I admit, cheeks flushing.
Bree beams. "You guys are the cutest," she says, making me smile.
"Yeah, you're good for him. I can tell," Austin agrees.
My heart flutters—so glad Jace's best friend approves of me. "Thanks," I say, smiling at both of them. "Honestly, I'm glad Jace has a real, genuine friend like you, not involved with any of it."
"I've tried to get him out of that scene more times than I can count, but Jace won't listen," Austin says. "Because he's a stubborn dumbass," he adds loudly, just as Jace returns to the table.
He leans on the back of my chair. "I thought this was dinner, not my personal roast," he grins at Austin. "Ready to go, Mila?"
"I'll get the bill," Austin says, standing to find a waiter.
"Already taken care of," Jace says, grabbing my jacket. He didn't go to the bathroom; he paid for all of us.
"Nah man, can't let you do that," Austin insists.
"You're gonna have to, dumbass," Jace retorts, mimicking Austin's tone.
"Alright, next time's on me," Austin says, grabbing Bree's jacket as well.
"Thanks, Jace, you didn't have to," Bree says sweetly.
"My pleasure," Jace replies with a genuine smile. We say our goodbyes and head to Jace's car. "Did you have a good time?" he asks as we close our doors.
"Yeah, it was really nice," I smile. "Are you mad I told Bree about you?"
"No. She'd have found out eventually through Austin," he says, placing his hand on my thigh as he starts the engine.
"Good. It was great to see you with a real friend tonight. You seemed like a different person—so happy and bright."
"Bright?" Jace laughs.
"You know what I mean," I chuckle back.
"Austin's like a brother to me. He's the most important person in my life after my dad and... you," he admits. I lay my hand over his. I don't know what to say, so I softly touch it.
"Are you coming back to my place?" Jace asks.
"Are you coming back to my place?" Jace asks.
"I'd like that," I answer as we drive through Seattle's beautiful cityscape.
Just as we near Jace's apartment, his phone vibrates in his pocket. "Can you read that for me?" he asks, handing me the phone.
He has no idea who the text is from and trusts me to read it? That means a lot.
"You've got a good one. Don't pull your usual shit, again" I read aloud, chuckling at Austin's comment. "You told him about... what happened?" I ask quietly.
"Of course. Like I said, he's like a brother to me," Jace replies, squeezing my thigh gently.
I half-smile. "Want me to answer?"
"I'll do it later," Jace says, shutting off the engine. We head inside, ready for a quiet night after this long day.
