Love or Lust - Rachael Brownell Page 0,10

that.”

“Okay,” I manage to squeak out, not sure what else to say.

Gee, thanks. I need a job and I’m willing to take whatever you have to offer.

You’re so sweet. What would I do without you?

Nope. I’m my own woman. I can find myself a job. Will I potentially look in the Miami area? It’s a possibility. I want to see what happens after I get back home first. After we’ve spent some time apart. To see if this lasts once the real world comes crashing down around us.

“Come on,” Jace says, taking the plate with our sandwiches on it in one hand and my hand in the other, tugging me toward the couch. “It’s date night. Not our last one, but the first of many to come.”

“You’re laying it on kind of thick tonight, don’t you think?”

“Well, considering the movie I picked, I figured I should butter you up a little.”

My eyes fall to the TV screen and I cringe. “I’m fairly certain I wrote down how much I hated this movie when I filled out the stupid survey they gave me before I was selected.”

“You did.”

“And you decided to pick this movie, why?” I ask, sliding onto the couch and pulling a blanket over my lap. Jace takes the seat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He doesn’t answer me, hitting play on the movie before handing me a sandwich. “You realize I refuse to watch more than ten minutes of this movie, so if this is a joke, I’m failing to find the humor in it.”

“It’s not a joke. Eat up.”

Rolling my eyes, I take a bite of my sandwich and stare at the TV as the opening credits of the movie play. The sunrise barely peeking over the water. The man rowing his boat. I make it maybe sixty seconds, until the birds are flying toward the large white house, before tears well in my eyes. And there she is, standing in the window watching.

I used to love this movie. It was one of my favorites. Naomi and I would watch it any time we needed a good cry. Or anytime we had girls’ night.

Then I watched it with Wren. He criticized every aspect of the movie, ruining it for me. I can’t watch it without hearing his voice in my head, pointing out every flaw. And even if I can’t hear his voice, I notice the little things now. The unrealistic aspects of the story.

“Had enough yet?” Jace asks as Noah says my favorite line in the movie.

I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me, that’s enough.

It hits me in the feels every time. It always has. It’s the one part of the movie Wren didn’t comment on, and I’m thankful because I want to believe that love is enough. Enough to make you happy. Enough to make life worth living. If you have the right person, loving them becomes enough.

Looking to Jace, I give him a weak smile and wonder if he’s the right person. Will loving him be enough? Will he make me happy?

“I hate this movie,” I say, even though he already knows it.

“They said I had to pick a movie, not that we had to watch it. If I’d turned on something you liked, I was worried you wouldn’t want to make out with me.” Jace’s megawatt smile turns into a devious smirk as his mouth descends upon mine, capturing the giggle that escapes.

Loving Jace might just be enough.

Chapter Four

Day 33

If I had to choose one thing I’ll be most grateful for once this is over, it’s not being told what I can and can’t do.

Scratch that.

I’ll be really fucking happy when there’s not a camera pointed in my face. Following me around. Blinking in the corner of my bedroom capturing every move I make.

Every naughty moment Jace and I share.

And that camera captured some A-plus footage last night. Because we didn’t end up watching The Notebook. That wasn’t Jace’s plan anyway. He was banking on the fact I hated the movie and would rather spend quality time with him. With the lights off. Under the covers.

He’s pretty damn good at planning too.

I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. It was supposed to be a free afternoon. I figured we’d be able to do whatever we wanted today. There wasn’t anything on my schedule for today. It was a blank space.

Jace’s schedule, on the other hand, wasn’t blank.

The guys were scheduled for