I roll over and look at the clock. I turn back over laying on my back and think about Jace and last night when he kissed me.

I let him kiss me again and I didn't put up much of a fight. I like the way he makes me feel.

I turn back over and grab my phone. I had a message.

📱Morning Willow. Hope your not too sleepy this morning. 😁

I smile and decide to respond right away.

📱Morning Jace! I just woke up. Have a good day 😘

Once I press send I realize I sent him a kissy face. Oh well, he will like it I'm sure.

I drag out of bed and head to the shower. I get lost in thought as the water pours down on me. Jace's soft lips on mine and how he kissed my jaw and sucked and licked on my neck.

I snap out of it and panic thinking he may have given me a hickey. After my shower, I get out and look in the mirror and don't see anything on my skin.

I get dressed and head into the kitchen to find dad sitting reading the paper. "Morning Dad! Where are mom and Ben?"

"Your mom had to go to the store early and Ben is with Jace at the nursery." He said.

"So with everyone gone how do you really feel?" I ask him.

"I feel good and enjoy my time down and especially seeing your face every day." He smiles.

"You sweet talker you! I'm headed to the store. Pricing and hanging ornaments won't hang and price themselves, dad." I smile grabbing a banana and heading out the door.

Once at the store I swallow my banana down before heading inside. It's packed once again and mom is standing at the counter talking to someone.

I walk in and put my bag down and look up and the wind is almost knocked out of me when I stare into the eyes of Casey.

"Hi Willow." She smiled.

"Casey?" I ask.

"Yeah girl I come to talk to you. If you're willing." She said.

"Of course let's go around back," I said walking through the store to the back of the store where a small table and two chairs are.

We sit down and she looks at me and smiles. "I'm happy to see you Willow. When Ben told my husband you were in town I thought we should talk." She said.

"So you're married?" I asked.

"Yeah, Jon and I have been married five years now." She said.

"That's great Casey! It's really good to see you." I said.

"Willow can we just put the past behind us and go forward from here? I have missed you so much." She said.

"I would really like that. I have missed you, Casey." I said standing up to hug her.

"I'll let you get to work but here take my number and call me. Let's do lunch and I want you to meet Jon and my kids." She said hugging me again.

"I would love that. Just text me let me know when ok?" I said as she left.

Wow didn't see that coming today at all. We work up into the evening and I told mom to go on home and cook for dad that I would close up.

I'm pricing ornaments again and the bell jingles over the door and when I look up it's Jace.

"Hey!" I smile.

"Hey Willow. I saw your car here so I stopped on the way home." He said.

"Hard day?" I ask pricing the last ornaments in the box.

"Oh hell it was so long and I'm tired." He said.

"Then go home Jace and get you some rest. You did stay up late with me last night."

"Nah I'd rather be here with you." He smiled sitting down on the stool.

"Well, I'm pretty much done. I was going to grab me some food and head home." I said putting stuff away.

"Let's go get Ross to make us a burger." He smiled.

"That sounds good. You drive or me?" I ask.

"You can drive if you want. You want to go in and sit down or what?" He asked.

"If you feel up to it I'm good." He smiled grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the store.

Once at the bar, we walk in and Jace holds up two fingers, and Ross smiles and gives a thumbs up.

I sit down on one side and instead of sitting on the other, he sits beside me. I looked over at him and he smiled. "I saw Jackie dancing and I don't want her sitting with me."

"I can't believe her husband is ok with her out dancing and drinking while he's home with the kids," I said shaking my head.

"I've heard so much about her even a rumor I slept with her but that's a damn lie." He said.

"I believe you, Jace," I said smiling at him.

"I'd cut my dick off first." He chucked.

Ross walked over. "Well if it isn't my two favorite kids. Enjoy your meal." He said walking off.

"I'm going to really need to diet when I go back home." I laugh grabbing a fry.

"You look great Willow. I wouldn't change a thing about you." He said.

I smiled at him and grabbed another fry. "Oh guess what happened today? Casey came in."

"She did? Did you guys talk?" He asked.

"Well did and agreed to put the past in the past. She wants to get together and meet her husband and kids" I smile.

"I'm happy for you Willow. I know how much she missed you." He smiled.

We finished eating and was laughing when Jackie walked over. "Well isn't it the happy couple?"

"What do you want Jackie?" Jace asks.

"Just curious why you're hanging out with her and not me. Willow was always plain and didn't put out." She said.

"That's a quality I like in her. Can't say the same for you." He said pulling me
to my feet and over to the dance floor.

"One dance before we go?" He asked.

"Of course Jace," I said wrapping my arms around his neck.