Love's Deception

Chapter 12 - Meeting

How do you know when something is going to turn into more than just a friendship? When do you know that your whole life is going to change in the blink of an eye? That someone new is going to consume your life and everything in it? Do you even know? Maybe not, or maybe you do. Maybe you can tell when that person gives you butterflies, or when you see them in a different light. Maybe it's just the touch of a hand or a look in their eyes.

But when you feel this way do you act on it? Or do you ignore it and let it fall between the cracks? How do you know when you should take a chance and risk anything? How do you know if you take that risk that everything will change? How do you know that this risk is even yours to take? It may not belong to you, or it may not be written in the stars for you.

Lots of questions to be answered — but not enough answers. But deep down inside yourself you know the answer, I know you do. You know the answer and you know that this could turn into something great. And sometimes you know the answer, even when you know you shouldn't.

****

I stayed like that for a while. Hugging Jace as if I've known him forever — and he didn't let go. It almost seemed like he didn't want to let go; like he was scared to. I didn't understand it, but I didn't object. Being in Jace's arms felt right for some strange reason we seemed to fit together like two puzzle pieces. Two pieces that have been broken before, just in different ways. Two broken pieces that fit together like they're whole.

I stay in Jace's arms for another minute before pulling away, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."

Jace waits a moment and then clears his throat, "No, no. You're fine."

The tender moment is interrupted by my phone ringing inside my purse. I sigh and give Jace an apologetic look before walking over to my desk and grabbing my phone from my purse. I quickly glance at it — it's Paige. I decline the call and stuff my phone back into the purse pocket it came from.

"You can take the call if you need to," Jace says.

I snap my head up and shake it, "It's okay. It's just a friend, I'll call her back later."

Jace nods, "So, how are you doing?"

I'm not exactly sure how to answer that question. Obviously, I'm not going to tell him the events of last night: me crying in the shower. But, I am upset about what happened.

"I'm doing okay."

"Ms. Collins, once again, I'd like to apologize for what happened." Jace runs his hand through his gorgeous brown locks.

"Stop apologizing," I laugh, "It's really not your fault, you didn't do anything wrong. It's no one's fault but Mr. Matthews."

"Regardless of whether or not it's my fault, I feel responsible. I was the one who hired Cooper."

Maybe I can get some information out of Jace that will help with Cooper interrogation. Not to mention that we don't exactly have anything yet that connects Cooper to the Cobras.

I fiddle with my purse for a moment, "How long has Mr. Matthews been working here?"

I make my way back to where Jace is standing as he speaks, "I hired him about a year after my father died."

We both grow silent for a moment. Jace doesn't appear to be that upset over his father's death, at least not in the way that I was when my dad died. When my dad died I cried for days, weeks, I still found myself crying months after. My mom comforted me every time, and when my brother was home, he comforted me too.

"I'm so sorry about your dad." I tell him with a sympathetic smile, "I'm sure he was a good man."

I know he wasn't and Jace only confirms my thoughts, "He wasn't a good man, not in the slightest. I can't even call him a man, he was a coward."