Roommates... with my Ex Boyfriend (Roommates Series: Book #1)

Chapter 18

For most of my life, I have never felt beautiful, I was always displeased with something about myself. I always seemed to find something to call myself ugly, but in this dress, I feel so much better. I feel absolutely gorgeous, I feel like Cinderella, and America Singer combined. I can't remember the last time where I felt this good, and special at the same time.

I don't need pretty clothes to make me feel good, I know that. Both Jess, and Jace are good at doing that, but I want to see it myself. I want to look in the mirror, and be pleased. I don't want to only feel pretty when the two tell me that I am.

I look myself up, and down one last time in my mirror before walking out of my bedroom. I come to halt right away, almost bumping into Jace, who's fiddling with his cuff links. I take the time to admire his beauty, his black, and white suit adding even more to his good looks. I hear him clear his throat, and my eyes snap to his. A smile creeps onto his lips. "You look stunningly beautiful. You always do, but the dress..." I laugh at his loss of words. "Are you ready to go?"

I nod, and link my arm with his. We usually hold hands when we're going to another place with each other. It comforts me, I like it, but being attached to his arm makes me feel even better. I feel like I'm his Queen. Shīt, he's doing very well. I told myself at the beach that this would be our only date, that I would feel nothing for him, but my heart is beginning to betray my brain, and conscience.

I quickly pull away from him when we pass his car, the only mode of transportation that we have. He looks back at me, looking almost as confused as I am. I look in between him, and the car. "Aren't we going to drive there?"

He shakes his head. "The restaurant is pretty close, so I thought that we could walk."

Walk? He wants us to walk in the dark, where anyone could shoot at us? We'll be unprotected, and vulnerable. What if --- Jace places his hands on my shoulders, pushing my thoughts away. He looks deep into my eyes, waiting for me to fully to calm down. It takes less time than usual, but more time than it should. He takes his jacket off, and puts it on me. His scent calms me even more. "I'm right here, okay? I will protect you, I will make sure that nothing bad happens either of us."

I nod, still shaking a little. I have to learn to trust, and believe in him.

I cling to his arm once again, and we make it to the restaurant safely. My eyes widen when they land on the restaurant, and I so badly want to scream at Jace Monroe. What was he thinking when he was looking for a restaurant for us to eat at? Does he want me to have another panic attack? It sure seems like it, I mean, why else would he bring me to the very restaurant that I, and our unborn child was shot at?

It quickly becomes very hard for me to breathe, they feel like they're closing in on me while they're on fire. I stumble away from Jace, and when he reaches for me, I swat at him. "Don't... fūcking..." I gasp, "... Touch me."

He snatches my wrists, and forces me to look at him. He motions for me to breathe in, and out deeply. Even though I'm absolutely furious with him, I do it anyways because I know that it will help me. Once my breathing is back to normal, I pull away from him, and send him look filled with hatred. "Are you crazy? Why would you take me here? Don't you remember what --- "

"Of course I remember what happened, how could I not?" he snaps. "I used to come here a lot with my family when I was a kid, this place is definitely one of my favourite restaurants to go. Since that night though, I haven't been able to even consider coming here, but a part of me knew that I had to. I wasn't going to let my enemies make me afraid. I wasn't going to let them control me. I wasn't going to let them replace all the good memories I had here with one horrible one. I'm not going to let them do the same to you. I want, and need you to do this with me." His eyes, and the grip on my wrists soften. "Let's get over our past, and fear together, as cheesy as that sounds. Can you do that?"