"Well, we'll have our own plates of course."
He grinned and I wanted to praise myself for breaking the ice that had built up between us. "Where are the plates?"
"In the cupboard."
"You're such a shit." He growled as he opened the nearest cupboard.
I beamed. "Happy you noticed."
"I notice everything about you, Angel." Dace said as he turned to snoop through the remaining cupboards. I was happy he didn't notice the blush in my face. I hated when he said things that made my heart flutter because I knew he didn't mean for me to take them the way I did…but hell…I was a freaking girl. Words made my heart dance - that came naturally with an X chromosome.
I watched Dace move easily around my tiny kitchen, locating the plates without issue. I tightened my towel before making my way to the island. I climbed on a stool and Dace raised his brows. "You're not getting dressed first?"
"I'm hungry." I inhaled deeply and he grinned proudly.
"I never though I'd hear those words come from your mouth." He teased lightly.
"Ha ha ha." I rolled my eyes. "Hurry and dish it up."
He raised a brow. "We could just eat it out of the box."
"If you don't want to share then I have no problem with that."
"Seriously?"
"Dead serious." I set steely eyes on him, hoping to prove my point.
"We'll work on it." He winked and I nodded as he handed me the first plate.
"Thanks."
"Anytime, Angel." Dace came around the island to sit beside me and I noticed his eyes stray to my bared legs more than once, but he never made a move and he never made me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't help but entertain hope that Dace wasn't nearly as much of a womanizer as his reputation made him out to be.
I gobbled up the food as quick as I could. I'd wasted too much time arguing with Dace and I still had to get myself looking good enough to work the bar. "Slow down, Ella. You're going to choke."
I shook my head, swallowing before I spoke. "I'll be fine. I can eat quick."
"I see that."
"I uh," my voice was shaky and his eyes were intent on my face as I forced myself to continue. "I used to compete with my dad." I fought the sting of tears. "My mom hated it."
Dace looked stricken and when he ran a hand through his hair I knew I'd made him uncomfortable. I pushed my plate away and stood, but Dace caught my wrist in his grasp and he quickly stood from the stool. "I'm sorry, Ella."
I smiled. It was painful because it felt so wrong. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I'm sorry you're hurting. I'm sorry you're not letting anyone in to help with the pain." His eyes were focused on mine even though it was hard for me to feel his eyes on my face. The way he spoke made me think he'd been where I was, but I didn't want to ask. It would send me over the edge. "I'm sorry you're trying to accept it alone and I'm sorry you have to deal with everything they left behind."
The tears I'd tried so hard to hold back fell and his hands were quickly cupping my face, the pad of his thumbs brushing over the moist skin beneath my eyes. "I need to get dressed." I croaked.
"You don't have to be there as early now that you're working the bar." He spoke gruffly, letting his hands fall from my face. "You have a few hours."
"It'll take me a while to get ready."
"I'll wait for you." He gestured to the television. "Cable or movies?"
"Movies." I pulled myself from his touch before plucking a sexy top from a hanger and a pair of low black jeans from the shelf. I pulled my underwear from the drawer and made a beeline for the bathroom, shutting myself behind the safety of the door. I closed the lid on the toilet and sat down on top. I folded my arms over my knees and dropped my head as the tears flowed like a rampaging river down my face. I was a disaster and my heart felt like it was breaking all over again. I hadn't thought of my parents since their death. I didn't let myself remember the loving little memories they left behind with me. It was too painful. I wished there was a way to block it all out. But I knew I would never be so lucky. My only hope was for time - time would quell the ache.
I'd just finished my makeup when Dace tapped his knuckle against the door. "Everything okay in there?"
"Yeah." I glanced once more at myself in the mirror. I'd hidden the fact that I'd spent the better half of an hour crying with concealer and cover up. I checked myself out in the mirror and grinned. I looked hot and I hoped someone made me feel good about myself tonight. I needed that. I needed a pick-me-up…and who knew, maybe I would meet a guy who was interested in more than friendship. I needed that too - because I was entertaining inappropriate thoughts of Dace that would undoubtedly shatter what was left of my heart.