By then, Taylor Swift gave way to Sam Smith’s “Make It to Me.” Without asking, Ace held me as our bodies swayed.
I lifted my arms to his shoulders.
“Now singing, I don’t even think Lena could help you there, babe.”
I punched his shoulder playfully. “Thanks a lot.”
He shrugged. “Just telling the truth.”
I stared into his shimmering grey eyes and ran my hand over the side of his face.
“You want me to sing, don’t you?” he asked about halfway through the song.
I nodded with a huge grin on my face.
He chuckled and shook his head. “I haven’t sung in years. And I don’t plan on it today.” He kissed the tip of my nose.
I rolled my eyes.
He kissed my forehead. While he didn’t sing, he did hum a little bit of the song.
“You always loved the sappy songs,” he said.
“Don’t pretend like you didn’t, either.”
“I only listened to them for you.”
I snorted. “If you say so. It’s okay, tough guy.” I patted his chest. “I won’t tell anyone the hotshot fighter pilot is into sappy love songs.” I pulled back. “I bet you know the entirety of Lena’s new album.”
“She’s my soon-to-be sister-in-law,” he defended. “I have to support her.”
I laughed almost hysterically. “Babe, I’ve seen your playlist.”
He shrugged. “Fine. But it’s your fault. You left your imprint on my taste in music, just like every other area of my life.” His voice suddenly became much deeper and more serious.
The air between us came to a standstill.
“Every area?” I asked.
We continued to sway even though the music changed from Sam Smith to Lizzo.
He nodded.
“What about the area that has to do with your father?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What about him?”
I shook his shoulders a little, hating the anger I felt in his body. “He’s your father, Ace. You love him.”
“And?”
I sighed, happy that at least he didn’t deny that he still loved Joel.
“And you need to forgive him.”
He rolled his eyes. “That word is thrown around too much.”
I squeezed his shoulders as I tried to figure out how I could make him understand that he couldn’t hold onto his grudge against Joel.
