“Yep.”
I pause, thinking. “How about Annabelle?”
“Who?”
“My best friend,” I explain. “She could be the stick.”
Ace hesitates, biting his lip. “I don’t like involving people I don’t know.”
“Then get to know her,” I demand softly. “I want you to meet her anyway. She’s been… all I’ve had for the last six years.”
Something in his expression softens. “I’d love to meet her. Maybe she’d want to go out for coffee with us tomorrow?”
“We’re going for coffee?” I ask, smiling.
He’s leaving the mansion?
He’s not only touching me, not only talking to me about things he’s buried for years. He’s planning to leave the house, to step into the world he’s avoided for so long. And he’s doing it for me—forus.
I try to keep my expression from showing my awe for him as he continues, “Sylus and I want to scope out the rooftop bar at the Plaza again,” he shares as if it’s no big deal. “Make sure everything is the same as it was three months ago. She could come. We could talk. And you could see what it looks like up there.”
“Okay.” Pride swells in me when I think of everything he’s already done—getting a therapist, leaving the safety of hisroutines, sitting out here with me, talking to me like this, touching me. Every step he’s taken feels monumental, and it makes my heart ache with how strong he is, even when he doesn’t see it.
“Good.” He squeezes my hand. “Now let’s get you skating steady so you don’t faceplant during the show.”
I laugh, the sound spilling out easily, the pride I feel for him making everything feel lighter. “Challenge accepted.”
EIGHTEEN
The Belmont Plaza rises in front of us, all glass and steel. The midday sun bounces off its reflective surfaces, almost blinding me as I glance toward the rooftop bar, which isn’t visible from the street.
Here we are, waiting like ordinary tourists trying to gain entry to a fancy restaurant. Except we’re not tourists, and this isn’t a casual outing.
Ace shifts beside me, his hands clenching into tight fists at his sides as he breathes through his teeth. His discomfort is shown in the slight twitch in his fingers and the subtle rocking of his weight from heel to toe.
I want to take his hand and give him something solid to hold on to, but I hesitate.Would that help?Or would it push him further into his head? Before I can decide, Sylus reaches for Ace’s clenched fist. He pries it open with casual ease and places it into my hand, linking our fingers. “She’s here. We’re here. This is real, and you’re safe,” he tells him firmly. Then Sylus takes my other hand, wrapping it in his own.
Ace’s shoulders drop, his tension bleeding out slowly as his grip on my hand tightens, letting me know he’s using our connection to ground himself. He exhales deeply, his jawrelaxing as his gaze flicks between Sylus and me. For the first time since we got here, he doesn’t look like he’s about to bolt.
“You okay?” I ask quietly, my thumb brushing against his knuckles now that I know my touch helps.
“I will be.” He lets out another long breath. “I have to be. This is good training. I need to fucking desensitize before the show.”
“We used to do this shit all the time with Oscar, Ric. You can do it. We’re with you. You’re safe. And if it gets too much, we’ll go home. You’re in control.”
Ace’s lips twitch, not quite into a smile, but not the blank mask he’s been wearing either. He straightens a little, his grip on my hand still firm as he nods. “Thanks, Sy.”
Sylus nods back, and I turn to scan the sidewalk. “She should be here any?—”
Then Annabelle rounds the corner with her usual energy, her blonde ponytail bouncing with every step. She spots me and squeals, rushing over without a care for who might be watching. Sylus lets go of my hand and steps back to make room for her.
“Oh my God,” she exclaims, throwing her arms around me while I still hold Ace’s hand. She kisses my cheek loudly, then steps back to give me a playful once-over. “I missed you, babe. Thank you so much for the invite. Life’s already boring without you.”
I laugh, squeezing her arm with my free hand. “Missed you too. And I couldn’t let you wither away from boredom, could I?”
Annabelle steps back fully, her sharp eyes flicking between the two men flanking me. Her gaze drops to where I’m still holding Ace’s hand, and her brows shoot up, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Sooo,” she drawls, tilting her head. “I see you’ve got some news to share?”
Sylus smirks, his easy charm sliding back into place. “Hey, Blondie.”
