“Oh!” Willa said with a nod, wanting to ask what Sienna had said, but she knew she’d never draw that out of Ace. “Well, in that case, I’m glad you walked away from the torture.”
They fell into a companionable silence before Ace suddenly stepped forward, stretched out and took her hand, drawing her closer. Willa didn’t resist, her hands coming up against his chest and staying there.
“There was another reason I left,” Ace said softly, his eyes holding Willas. “I couldn’t stand seeing you with Harvey.”
“I wasn’t with Harvey,” Willa told him. “We’re just friends, and in case you didn’t see it, Harvey has started dating Penny from the flower shop.” She smiled. “Turns out that Mina is quite wise and good with her observations. She told Harvey that Penny would be a better match for him, and it turns out she was correct.”
“Ah, so he’s dropped his obsession with Sienna then?” Ace asked, pursing his lips with an impressed expression on his face.
“Yes,” Willa said with a nod, her heart beating so wildly as she relaxed into Ace’s arms, which were now wrapped around her, holding her close to him. “I think he’s smitten with Penny, and she obviously adores him.”
“I’m glad and relieved for Harvey on two counts then,” Ace’s eyes shone teasingly.
“Oh?” Willa’s brows rose. “And what are those two reasons?”
“One, that he’s got someone like Penny in his life, and two, that he hasn’t turned his affections toward you,” Ace told her honestly. “Because I’m afraid, as much as he’s an old friend, I’d still have to be quite stern with him about you.”
Willa gave a soft, delighted laugh. She couldn’t help it. Ace would’ve fought for her, and even though she was a full-grown adult and not a teenager, that still reminded her of a noble knight fighting for his lady. And what red-blooded woman didn’t want that! It made her feel like a beautiful lady being honored by a man who loved her. She swallowed, and her eyes met Ace’s once again. The butterflies in her stomach went crazy at the look of emotion shining in them.
“I love you, Willa,” Ace murmured, his eyes holding hers. “I can’t keep pretending otherwise. I’ve tried. I’m done trying.”
“Ace,” Willa started but before she could say anything, his lips found hers.
The corridor was quiet. The music came through the wall in a steady, distant pulse, and the night air moved through the propped-open door. Willa stood in the middle of all of it, her hands against Ace’s chest, and felt twenty years of carefully managed distance dissolve into acceptance of what was inevitable.
When they pulled apart, Ace kept his hands cupped around her face and looked down at her.
“I told you I’d wait,” he said. “And I meant it. But I’m not going to apologize for kissing you. I’ve been wanting to do that for far too long.”
“I don’t want you to apologize for it,” Willa told him honestly. Her voice came out steadier than she’d expected. “I love you too, Ace.” She held his gaze. “I don’t want to wait anymore either. But I need to talk to the kids first. They deserve to hear this from me.”
Ace smiled. It was the real one, the one that reached his eyes and changed his whole face.
“I know,” he said. “Take all the time you need.”
“After seeing them with you yesterday at the memorial,” Willa said, “I don’t think they’re going to object.”
Ace went quiet for a moment. His expression became thoughtful and slightly uncertain as he grappled with something.
“What is it?” Willa asked, her eyes searching his.
“This is going to sound completely crazy,” Ace said, his brow crinkling.
“I can handle crazy,” Willa told him.
“In the cave,” Ace said carefully, “I thought I felt something. Heard something. And then again yesterday at the memorial.” He shook his head, closing his eyes briefly. “Never mind. It’s crazy.”
“No,” Willa said immediately. “Don’t stop. Tell me.” She looked at him steadily. “I think I know what you’re going to say.”
“Is that so?” Ace looked at her curiously.
“In the cave,” Willa said, “I felt Shaun. And then again yesterday.” She held Ace’s eyes. “Am I wrong in saying that I think you felt him, too?”
Ace let out a breath that was half laugh and half something else entirely.
“I thought I heard him saylook after them and love them for me.” Ace raised his brows and shook his head.
“That sounds exactly like something Shaun would say,” Willa said with a warm laugh. “He told me it was time to let him go. That you were a good man.”
