Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

Lies.

Hel

l would have to freeze over before I went to New York City and stayed with Owen.

It’s not that I don’t like Owen, but if Jace is right then I don’t want to give him false hope.

Jace is who I’m with now, and he’s who I choose to spend the rest of my life with. Nothing could change that.

Owen: You’d like it here.

Me: I have to go. I’m at dinner with friends and I’m being rude.

Owen: Right. Of course. I’ll talk to you later.

I don’t respond and put my phone away.

Jace snickers beside me. “The guy has it bad. I’d feel sorry for him if it wasn’t my girl he was after.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s never happening. He’ll figure it out eventually.”

“I kind of feel bad for him,” Rae admits.

We all look at her and she shrugs. “Look, he loved you when you were teenagers, then his parents forced him to stay away, and then took the child you made together. You can say or think what you want but you two are bonded for life.”

I know she’s right. We are bonded, but for me I look at Owen with fondness and nothing more. He was a huge part of my life once upon a time, and since we share a child he’ll continue to be in my life, he just doesn’t play the same role. Things have changed.

I shrug. “He probably feels guilty for how things went down. That’s all it is.”

Rae looks at me with pity. “Think what you want but I’m with Jace. He’s still head over heels in love with you.”

Thankfully, I’m saved from the conversation by our food being brought out. Jace and I both ordered burgers. They smell delicious and my stomach growls.

I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I skipped breakfast and lunch waiting for the doctor to call. I was so nervous I couldn’t eat.

I take a bite and suppress a moan. It tastes as delicious as it smells and looks.

We continue to chat as we eat. It’s not often we can get together like this with all of us. Not with Xander’s schedule, the baby, and all our jobs. Adulthood is hard. You have to make time for friends.

We finish and split the bill between all of us before heading our separate ways.

Jace starts to lead me to his truck but I shake my head.

“Let’s walk around for a little bit.”

Jace takes my hand and we start walking down the street.

The sun is setting—my favorite time of the day. It casts the world in a beautiful golden glow. It’s like the world’s touched by fire, but instead of burning it comes to life.

There’s a slight chill in the air. Fall is definitely here.

Leaves scuttle across the sidewalk and I kick them with my sneakers.

My hair blows around me, tickling my cheeks.

There’s a calmness in the air, and I breathe it in, reminding myself everything will be okay.

Jace stands tall and resolute beside me and I smile up at him. He’s oblivious as I study his profile. Sharp nose, cheeks like ice, and pouty lips that soften his features. He’s my rock. He’s been the one holding me up since before we were a couple. Without him I would’ve crumbled and fallen so many times.