“Well,” she said, her mind back on their conversation, “ignoring it isn’t helping anyone either. I mean, what have I been doing my whole life?”
“We’re all battling something,” he said softly. “You shouldn’t minimize what you do just because you’re not risking your life everyday. A lot of folks out there struggle with depression. And they look forward to spots of light in their week. A date night on the weekend. A specialty coffee on Wednesdays.” He winked at her. “And that cute girl on the news who always puts a smile on their face.”
Amy rolled her eyes.
“I mean it,” he said, pausing until she met his gaze once more. “My father used to share a story about Robert Louis Stevenson, the author ofTreasure Island. When Robert was a boy, he was intrigued by the lamplighters—the guys who came around at night and climbed up ladders with torches to set the streetlights ablaze.” Jace gave her a wistful smile. “And one night, when he was asked what he was looking at he got all excited and said, ‘Look at that man! He’s punching holes in the darkness.’”
Amy grinned, liking the sound of that.
“I’ve used that as a guide in my life,” Jace said. “And I set out to punch holes in the darkest spots known to man.”
“And you’ve done that,” Amy said, admiration swelling in her chest.
“Yeah, but you’re doing it in your own way. People are drawn to you because you make them smile. You make them feel hope, despite whatever it isthey’refacing. You’re shining a light in all the spaces that you can, and I know it makes a difference.”
Amy rested her head on his shoulder, and Jace pressed another kiss to her brow. It felt good to be held. It felt good to be heard. It felt even better to be cherished. Which is what Jace had done. He’d made her feel cherished.
“Never change, Amy,” he whispered against her skin. “Promise me that.”
She pulled back to look him in the eyes once more, admiring the incredible man that he was, and realized she was a changed woman already. Changed, because she was in love with Jace. And whether he’d be a part of her life after this was all said and done, she’d still be in love with him.
She nodded, gulped. “I won’t,” she said. “I promise.”
