J
ace closed his laptop with a click and leaned on the counter, still warm from the call with his family.
"You saw my mum's face?" Jace asked.
"She was glowing, really glad she got better"
Jace's mouth curved. "They really adore you. I'm just the guy who happens to be sitting next to you."
She laughed, flicking a tea towel at him. "They practically begged me to keep you in line."
He caught the edge of the towel, eyes dancing. "Then you'd better start practising."
Before she could answer, he lunged. Amy shrieked and bolted, laughter bouncing off the walls as he chased her round the kitchen island table. He managed to catch her wrist, she spun out of his grip, ducked around the sofa.
"You're supposed to be tired from work!" she called over her shoulder, breathless.
"I'm never too tired for payback," he grinned, blocking her path to the kitchen. She ducked under his arm, darted for the hallway.
Just then,the doorbell rang.
They both froze, still laughing.
"Saved by the bell," he declared. she panted and smoothed her sweater and went to the door while Jace flopped onto the couch with a satisfied sigh, stretching his long legs out and propping an arm behind his head.
Amy opened the door and blinked surprised. "Ethan!..…"
He stood there, as casual as ever, a bottle of wine cradled in one hand. "Hey, awkward neighbour," he said with a crooked grin. "Thought I'd bring the usual peace offering. Figured you could use a refill after the last time."
She felt her stomach dip. "Oh....hi. It's been… a while."
"Yeah," he said, shifting on his feet. "I was passing by. Didn't want to bug you, just thought we could have a glass like we used to.....couldnt stop thinking how awkward I was the last time."
She stepped aside automatically. "Come in."
He walked in with that same easy gait he always had, but stopped short when he saw Jace sitting on the couch. Jace straightened a little, still relaxed but his eyes intent.
"Oh," Ethan said quietly.
Amy cleared her throat, her nerves flickering. "Right. Ethan, this is Jace,my boyfriend. Jace, Ethan."
Jace rose from the couch, unfolding himself with deliberate calm, and held out his hand. "Good to finally meet you."
Ethan shifted the wine to his other hand and shook. "Yeah. Likewise."
There was a beat, then Jace's mouth tipped in a small, almost amused smile. "So you're the neighbour who brings the wine."
Amy shot him a look, but he only kept smiling, that slight glint of triumph in his eyes which sort of says 'sorry,but I'm the one she chose'.
Ethan's fingers tightened slightly on the bottle. "It was… uh… meant for Amy. Just like old times."
"Well, thank you," Jace said lightly. "We'll definitely open it."
Ethan gave a small awkward, polite smile. "Actually, I should get going. Long day." He set the bottle on the counter, gave Amy a small nod and another toward Jace. "You two enjoy it."
"Thanks, Ethan," Amy murmured.
"Anytime. Take care, awkward neighbour," he said softly, then slipped out, the door clicking shut behind him. Amy turned back toward the living room. Jace was still lounging on the couch, one arm draped over the backrest, one eyebrow raised in quiet amusement.
"So," he said, voice casual but edged with something funny, "that's Ethan."
Amy came back toward the couch, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "That's Ethan," she echoed. "Neighbour slash occasional wine buddy."
He tilted his head, watching her. "The one in the birthday picture."
She stopped mid-step, caught the glint in his eyes, then rolled hers. "You're enjoying this way too much."
He gave a small, crooked smile and patted the cushion beside him. "Come here and tell me how long he's been dropping by."
Amy crossed the room slowly, her heart still drumming from the awkwardness at the door. Jace patted the space next to him again, eyes glinting.
She sank down beside him. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
He leaned back, looking at her sideways. "I'm ridiculous? You forgot to mention your wine-delivering neighbour. Who calls you 'awkward neighbour,' by the way. That's… cute."
Amy smiled tucking her legs under herself. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Jace turned slightly toward her, one arm draped across the back of the sofa, fingers brushing her shoulder. "I'm not impossible. I'm just… interested."
"In what?" she asked, though the answer was already clear in his eyes.
"In knowing why some guy has been bringing my girlfriend wine." His tone was light, but there was a flicker of genuine curiosity under it.
She nudged his knee with hers. "Don't do that. Don't make it sound like more than it was. I didn't forget you existed just because I had a glass of wine with my neighbour, I started getting to know him around the Gina incident. Sometimes we hang out, sometimes he brings wine. That's it."
Jace tilted his head, watching her over his shoulder. "You two have a usual?"
"It's not a usual," she said quickly. "More like… a neighbourly gesture. Our first conversation was when the elevator was broken and he helped me carry my groceries upstairs"
He raised a brow, a mock-serious expression on his face. "Uh-huh. And all this time I was worried that Gina ruined everything for us."
Amy dropped her hands and gave him a look. "Don't be ridiculous. Ethan's just a friend. He helped me with groceries that once, then my car died, he helped again. Sophie's birthday, he came through. He's nice. That's all."
Jace's expression softened. "I'm teasing," he said quietly. "Mostly. I saw his face when he walked in."
She hesitated. "That's cause I told him about you."
"I figured." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm not mad. It was just… surreal to put a face to the name from the photo. That's all."
Amy reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. "I should've told you sooner. I forgot about him the past few days because I was busy thinking about you."
Jace's thumb brushed over her knuckles, slow and warm. "Good answer."
She smiled faintly. "You're jealous."
He gave a short laugh. "Maybe a little. But mostly curious. You're allowed to have friends, Amy."
"Good," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Because I only want one boyfriend."
He laughed under his breath and kissed the top of her head. "That's all I needed to hear."
They sat like that for a moment, the bottle of wine glinting on the counter, the soft rain still tapping against the windows. In the quiet, their fingers stayed twined, her head tucked under his chin, his arm firm around her shoulders.
He smiled then brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "You know,its just us," he echoed. "And the bottle of wine your awkward neighbour left behind."
Amy laughed, leaning back into the couch. "We might as well open it. It's technically a peace offering."
"Technically?" he asked, feigning suspicion.
She grinned. "Technically." She reached for the bottle. "Glasses?"
Jace stood and went to the kitchen, still shaking his head with a half-smile. "You know, I thought tonight was going to be simple. Pizza, you, a movie. Instead I'm meeting the infamous Ethan."
"Welcome to my life," she called after him, teasing.
When he came back, he handed her a glass, settled back onto the sofa, and they sat shoulder to shoulder while the city drummed quietly outside, their earlier funny tension melting into a warmth that felt like home.
Chapter 46:The Delivery
The bell over the bookstore door jingled, and Amy looked up from the counter. She has just finished attending to a customer.
A man in a brown uniform stepped inside, carrying two boxes and a bouquet so big and beautiful that the whole store seemed to pause for a second.
"Delivery for Amy Mayfield," he said, glancing down at the slip in his hand.
Amy blinked, a little startled. "um, that's me."
Mrs. Thompson appeared from one of the aisles, glasses perched low on her nose and a teasing smile already forming. "Well, well, well. Looks like somebody's got herself a secret admirer."
"Sign here" He gestured.
The delivery guy grinned as Amy signed. "Seems like it," he said before heading back out.
As soon as the door closed, Mrs. Thompson turned to Amy with a mock gasp. "Don't tell me Mr. Prescott is trying to out-romance himself again."
Before Amy could reply, Candace peeked from the staff room door, wiping her hands on her apron. "Wait....did she just say Jace Prescott? The Jace Prescott? Oh my God, is this about to be one of those movie moments where the girl gets flowers at work?"
Amy laughed, cheeks warming. "You two are ridiculous."
"Well she's not wrong," Mrs. Thompson said, coming closer.
"Damn!, can't believe you're dating the Jace Prescott,he's such a graceful photographer and so popular and handsome" Candace said, eye full of admiration.
"Candace,you know you can still call him Jace right?, not the Jace Prescott?" Amy said.
Candace simply laughs as she rushes over to see what Amy got.
Amy untied the silky ribbon around the stems, and the paper fell away to reveal an exquisite bouquet of tulips, their fragrance light and sweet. Her heart fluttered immediately. He remembered.
Tucked among the blooms was a cream-colored note card, written in his familiar, careful handwriting.
_____ Flowers for my favorite kind of beautiful, the kind that doesn't even realize it.
P.S. The other package is a dress. For the gallery night. I'd love you to come with me
Love,
J.
Her throat tightened a little as she reread it. It was simple, sincere, and so very him.
"Oh my heavens," Mrs. Thompson said, peering over Amy's shoulder. "That man knows exactly what to say, doesn't he? No wonder you've been glowing lately."
Amy smiled, shaking her head. "You're imagining things."
Candace snorted. "Imagining? Please. You've been smiling at books all week."
Amy rolled her eyes, still grinning, and turned back to the counter. "I have not....oh wait. There's another card."
She plucked out a smaller note tied to a second bouquet,bright sunflowers and daisies. She read it and laughed softly before passing it to Mrs. Thompson.
"This is for you" Amy said handing it over.
Mrs. Thompson adjusted her glasses and read aloud:
___ For Mrs. T, thank you for keeping my favorite person company while she works. You make her days brighter, and I'm grateful for that.
— Jace Prescott.
Mrs. Thompson pressed a hand dramatically to her chest. "Lord, give me strength," she said, pretending to swoon. "He sent me flowers, too? That young man was raised right."
Candace chuckled. "I swear, if you don't marry him, Amy, I might."
Amy laughed, shaking her head, but her face softened as she placed her own flowers carefully in a vase near the window. Their scent filled the air, sweet, comforting, warm.
A few minutes later, as Mrs. Thompson helped a customer and Candace reorganized a shelf, Amy slipped her phone from her pocket and called Jace. He picked up on the second ring.
"Tell me you got them," he said, his voice low and smiling through the line.
"I did," she said softly. "And they're beautiful. You remembered."
"I'd forget my own name before I forget that tulips are your favorite," he said.
Amy bit her lip, smiling. "You even sent Mrs. Thompson flowers. She nearly fainted."
He laughed quietly. "That was the goal. She's always looking out for you. I thought she deserved something too."
"She's been talking about you non-stop since the delivery," Amy said, leaning against the counter. "And Candace thinks I'm in a movie."
"Then let's make it a good one," he said easily.
She laughed under her breath. "You really are something, you know that?"
"I'm just trying to make sure you know you matter to me," he replied. His voice was softer now, the playfulness fading into something steady and sincere.
Amy's smile turned wistful. "You do a good job reminding me."
He hesitated for a beat, then said, "So, did you open the other box?"
"Not yet. Should I?"
"Not yet," he said. "Wait until tonight. Try it on when you get home, I'd come pick you by 7pm."
Her curiosity flared. "You're really not going to tell me what it looks like?"
"Nope. You'll see soon enough. But I can't wait to see you in it."
Amy rolled her eyes even as her heart swelled. "You really know how to make me blush in the middle of work."
"That's the plan," he said, his smile audible through the line.
They lingered in silence for a few seconds, the kind that didn't need filling.
Then Amy said softly, "Thank you, Jace. For everything. Really."
"You don't have to thank me," he murmured. "Just be there when I speak at the gallery. That's all I want."
"I wouldn't miss it," she promised.
When the call ended, Amy stayed leaning against the counter for a long moment, her eyes on the vase of peonies by the window. The light caught their petals, turning them almost translucent.
Mrs. Thompson walked by and smiled knowingly. "He's a keeper, you know."
Amy looked down at the flowers again, her lips curving faintly. "Yeah," she said softly. "I know."
"I'm happy you guys are back together,he brings alot of sunshine to you" Mrs Thompson said smiling.
Amy could only smile, cheeks turning red.
.....
Steam still curled from the bathroom door when Amy stepped out, her hair wrapped in a towel and her towel loosely tied around her body. She glanced at the dress box sitting patiently waiting for her on her bed. She walked over,untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.
Inside lay the most stunning mermaid dress she'd ever seen, a red coloured gown with beautiful patterns layered on it.
Amy gasped softly, her hand covering her mouth. "Oh, Jace…" she murmured.
A note was tucked neatly into the box:
___For the most beautiful woman I know. Wear this tonight. I can't wait to see you.
— Love, J.
Her lips curled into a smile as she ran her hand over the smooth fabric. Then, with a mix of curiosity and excitement, she slipped it on.
When she turned toward the mirror, she froze.
The dress fit perfectly,every curve, every line. The color brought out the warmth in her skin, and her eyes seemed to glow. She barely recognized herself. She did a little makeover smiling all the way through it thinking of how Jace guessed her size correctly.
Before she could even grab her clutch, the doorbell rang.
She rushed to the door, fastening one of her earrings, and when she opened it,there he was.
Jace stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, his tie slightly loosened, his hair swept back just enough to look effortlessly handsome. But the moment he saw her, his composure faltered.
His breath caught. "Amy…" he said softly, taking a slow step forward. "You look… absolutely gorgeous."
Her cheeks flushed pink. "You're not so bad yourself," she teased, her voice soft but playful.
He smiled, his eyes still roaming over her with quiet awe before offering his arm. "Ready?"
She nodded, slipping her hand into his as they stepped into the elevator. The soft hum of the machinery filled the silence, but there was a charge between them,warm, familiar, tender.
When they reached his car, Jace opened the door for her like he always did. She settled in, smoothing the dress as he got in beside her. The city lights streaked across the windshield as they pulled into the night.
A few minutes later, as music played softly through the speakers, Jace reached over almost without thinking and took her hand. He brushed his lips across her knuckles, a slow, reverent kiss that made her heartbeat stutter.
Amy looked at him, smiling faintly. "You still haven't told me what this event is all about," she said.
He kept his eyes on the road, a small grin tugging at his lips. "It's a charity exhibit," he said. "The gallery's doing a fundraiser for underprivileged kids who want to study art. Unfortunately, as the biggest donator, they asked me to speak… about how photography can change the way people see the world."
Amy's expression softened, pride shining in her eyes. "Jace, that's… incredible."
He shrugged lightly, though his voice was gentler than before. "It felt right. I thought maybe I could help someone out there believe in their art and look at their work the the way you look at mine."
Her throat tightened a little at that. She turned toward him fully, her voice low. "You have no idea how proud I am of you."
Jace glanced at her then, eyes warm with something unspoken. "If you keep looking at me like that," he murmured, "I might actually start to believe it."
Amy laughed softly, shaking her head, and he smiled, a quiet, content smile that lingered long after the car filled with silence again.
For a moment, neither spoke. There was only the sound of the road, the soft hum of the engine, and the quiet, unmistakable rhythm of two hearts beating in sync.
The car slowed to a stop in front of the gallery,a tall building in the heart of the city. Dozens of people milled about inside, photographers, critics, donors, their laughter spilling onto the street along with the faint sound of a jazz quartet playing near the entrance.
Jace stepped out first, moving around to open Amy's door. She took his hand and stepped out carefully, the hem of her dress brushing the floor.For a moment, she just stood there, the night breeze teasing her hair, the hum of conversation rising around them.
"You okay?" Jace asked softly, his voice just for her.
She smiled, a mix of nerves and awe fluttering in her chest. "Just… trying to take it all in."
"Good," he said, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "Because this night's yours too."
When they entered, heads turned,subtly at first, then more openly. The photographers from the press team paused mid-conversation. A few guests exchanged quiet smiles. Amy caught fragments of whispers; "Is that Jace Prescott?" and "That must be her,the one from his recent pieces."
She felt her cheeks warm, but Jace didn't seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and he liked it, the way she's there with him, radiant and composed despite the attention.
Inside, the gallery was beautifully lit,soft gold and ivory tones, with few of Jace's photographs arranged across the walls in chronological order. They told a story, one that began with lonely cityscapes and ended with something far more intimate: glimpses of joy, laughter, and quiet moments that felt alive.
Amy recognized herself in several of them,a silhouette by the bookstore window, a reflection caught in a puddle, her hand holding a tulip. Each shot was intimate, honest… love translated into light.
Her breath caught. "Jace," she whispered, eyes still fixed on the photographs. "You didn't tell me…"
He stood beside her, his voice low. "Some stories are better seen than told."
She turned to him then, and for a heartbeat, neither of them spoke. There was only the music, the murmur of guests, and that electric quiet that always found them when words failed.
A familiar voice broke through, it was Sophie, in a soft coral dress, beaming as she approached. "There you two are!" she said, giving Amy a quick hug. "You look stunning. Seriously, Amy, if I were a man, I'd...."
"Sophie," Jace cut in, amused.
"What?" she teased, laughing. "I'm just saying she looks incredible. You clean up okay too, Motorcycle riding camera prince"
Amy chuckled, her earlier nerves melting.
"I didn't know you'd be here Soph" Amy said.
"Got a whimp of it all on social media then asked Mr Star of the event here whether I needed a special invite, he said it's open to anyone" Sophie explained as Amy nodded.
"It feels right to see a familiar face here other than Jace's" Amy said smiling.
"Oh about that, met a few people interested in the company's new project, gotta go talk to them" Sophie said and slipped out giving her a tight hug.
Jace smiled and led her to their seat. Their table was beautiful set up and the waiter brought wine immediately as if on queue.
Later, as the evening unfolded, Jace was called to the small stage near the center of the hall.
"And for tonight's main event, ladies and gentlemen,a round of applause as we welcome our biggest donor, the man who has made tonight and the dream of youngsters possible." The host said and the crowd appla