Page 58 of The Encounter
He glanced over at her just as he pulled his car back out onto the street. Her face had flamed red, and she had covered her mouth with her hand. Within seconds, she was laughing hysterically.
“That was awkward,” Jace chuckled. “I don’t care to ever see that again.”
Maddie burst into another fit of giggles. “I guess maybe I should have realized she wasn’t screaming in pain, but after everything that happened on Friday…” She shrugged. “I mean, you can’t be too sure.”
“I had the same thought as you.” He laughed. “Oh man. But I’m thankful you’re coming back to my place. I wasn’t ready to give you up yet.”
A blush crept up her cheeks. He reached over and rested a hand on her leg as he drove.
“I probably should have driven my car over so you don’t have to bring me back in the morning. I can catch an Uber if it’s too much trouble,” she said.
He squeezed her thigh. “Don’t be silly. I would love to drive you back in the morning.”
“Are you sure? It’s not too much trouble?”
“Of course not. I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”
The truth was, he was over the moon that he had her for another night. Being with a woman for two nights straight without wanting space was a new feeling. He had never wanted to be with someone as much as he did with Maddie. With her, everything felt right. She curled into him when she slept, and it was the best feeling in the world. He had never slept better. And somehow, all the stress from work melted away when she was near.
19
“So, when are you going to let us meet your new squeeze?” Seth asked as he strolled into Jace’s office.
Jace sat back and smiled. “I thought youdidmeet her.”
Seth dropped into a seat in front of Jace’s desk. “Mixing her friend a drink during a busy night at the bar does not count. I didn’t get to chat with her or make sure she passed the test.”
Jace laughed. “What test?”
“You know, the test. I need to make sure she’s good enough for you.”
“Oh God. As if Seth’s opinion matters,” Haley said as she walked into the room and sat in the chair next to Seth.
Seth turned in his chair and raised an eyebrow. “Oh. Hello, Hail Storm. It’s nice of you to blow in here and disrupt our day.”
She rolled her eyes, and Jace bit his lip to hold back a laugh.
“Even though Seth’s opinion is null and void—” She gave a pointed look at Seth before turning back to Jace. “—It would be nice to hang out with her. Preferably if Seth stayed home.”
Seth put a hand to his chest. “Wow, Hail. Just continue showing us that horrible storm you like to brew.” He swirled his hands in the air and made sounds like a rush of wind, as if she was a tornado blowing through the room.
She held a hand up and to the side to block his face.
Jace looked between them and sighed. “Let’s plan a night to do drinks and dinner. Does that sound good?”
“How about we do a Friendsgiving?” Haley asked.
Jace nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like fun.”
“How about on Monday?”
“Yep. Monday is good,” Seth said.
Jace looked between the two of them, and his eyes narrowed. Those two rarely agreed and the way they brought it up quickly and agreed without argument had him on high alert.
“I’ll check with her and see if it works,” he said.
“Great,” Haley said. “I’m going to go set up the bar.”
