By the time Mel got home, her thoughts were a tangled, impossible mess.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, eyes closed, trying to slow her racing heart.
Lunch with Jace had felt like stepping into an alternate reality. A quiet one. Honest. Like the noise of the world had been turned down just for them.
No masks. No titles.
Just him.
Just her.
And that terrified her.
She walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared inside without really seeing anything. Her mind kept going back to that look in his eyes when he'd said he wanted to see where this went. Not because of a dare or a game or a chase—but because he genuinely wanted to.
And the worst part?
She wanted to see where it went too.
But she also knew how these things played out. Guys like Jace didn't settle. They didn't stick. They weren't safe.
And yet…
He felt safe to her in ways no one ever had.
Her phone buzzed.
Jace:
Didn't want to let you leave. Just thought I'd say that out loud.
Mel smiled without meaning to.
She typed a reply.
Mel:
Didn't want to go either. Just didn't know how to stay.
Three dots danced for a second before he answered.
Jace:
Then don't run next time. I'll be right where you left me.
She stared at that last message for a long moment, something warm and dangerous blooming in her chest.
Don't run next time.
Could she do that?
Could she really let herself fall for someone like him?
Her fingers hovered over the screen, then typed slowly.
Mel:
I'm not making promises. But I'm not running yet, either.
No reply this time.
But somehow, she knew he'd gotten it.
And for tonight… that was enough.
---
Perfect. Let's dive into Chapter Fourteen, where we stay with Mel at work completely distracted b tension to remind her exactly how complicated things could get.
---
Mel stared at the spreadsheet on her screen, but the numbers blurred together like alphabet soup.
She blinked hard, sat up straighter, and forced her hands back to the keyboard.
Focus.
But all she could think about was Jace.
His voice.
His eyes.
The way he said "Don't run next time."
She hadn't realized how much that line had burrowed under her skin until this morning, when she woke up with her phone still in her hand—and a stupid, dreamy smile on her face.
Which was why she was now on her second cup of coffee and still hadn't finished reconciling the inventory report.
She groaned quietly, rubbing her temples.
"Mel."
She jumped in her chair, spinning to find Mr. Carter—her direct manager—standing behind her with his usual stern expression.
"Yes, sir?"
"You seem… off today."
She straightened immediately. "No, sir. Just—late night."
He gave her a hard look, then placed a file on her desk. "The regional reports need updating by noon. The board meeting's been moved up."
"Got it."
As he walked away, she released the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Her job meant everything to her. She'd worked too hard to get here, to prove herself, and this wasn't the time to let herself get distracted.
Especially not by him.
Mel glanced toward the elevators, half-expecting Jace to stroll through in that maddeningly calm way of his—but of course, he didn't.
Still, the thought lingered.
She hated how easily he invaded her head.
A notification popped up on her screen.
New Email:
From: JMorgan@MorganEnt.com
Subject: "Just checking in"
Her heart stuttered.
She clicked it open.
> "Hope your day isn't as long as mine. I owe you another lunch.
P.S. You look good in green."
Her hand flew to her blouse—green again, without even realizing it.
She looked around to see if anyone had noticed her reaction. Everyone was glued to their screens, none the wiser.
Mel shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
He's impossible.
And yet…
When she went back to her spreadsheet, the numbers didn't look so blurry anymore.
---