Chapter Twenty-Two — New Beginnings
630 Words
(Harper’s POV)
The morning sun spills across my bedroom, warm and golden, brushing over the scattered notebooks and pens I’ve left from yesterday’s writing session. For the first time in weeks, it doesn’t feel like I’m sneaking around, hiding, or constantly worrying about being “caught.”
Jace is sprawled across my bed, hoodie half on, phone in hand. He looks exactly like he owns the space, which, technically, now he does—because we’re official.
“Morning,” I murmur, stepping around the piles of paper.
He lifts his head lazily. “Morning, sunshine. Sleep well?”
“Yeah.” I grin, setting my coffee on the desk. “You?”
“Like a log… except for that dream where you stole all my snacks.” He smirks.
I laugh, shaking my head. “You dream about me stealing snacks?”
“Apparently,” he says, sitting up and stretching. “It’s traumatic. I may need counseling.”
I roll my eyes but feel a surge of warmth in my chest. There’s no pretending, no tension, just… us.
⸻
Breakfast in the kitchen is casual, easy. Noah leans against the counter, scrolling through his phone. Eli bounces in a few minutes later, backpack slung over one shoulder.
“So,” Eli says, grinning at Jace, “how’s the newly official thing going? Still managing not to look ridiculous in public?”
Jace smirks. “We’re professionals.”
“Professionals who can’t stop texting each other every two minutes,” I add, laughing.
Noah chuckles, shaking his head. “You two are hopeless. But… I mean, I see it. You fit together, Harper. It’s weirdly obvious now.”
I glance at Jace, teasing him. “See? Your best friend approves.”
He grins, reaching for my hand across the table. “I was worried for a second there. Thought I might have to beg for approval.”
“Nope. You got it,” Noah says with a shrug, “but don’t let it get to your head.”
⸻
Later, we’re sitting on the porch with our laptops, a stack of notebooks between us. Jace leans over, pointing at a line in my story.
“You know,” he says, eyes scanning my page, “this is good. Better than the drafts from last month.”
I smile. “Thanks. Your ‘research’ sessions are paying off.”
He chuckles. “Glad I could help. Though I think the real inspiration is… well, you.”
I freeze, heart skipping a beat. “Me?”
“Yeah. You,” he says simply, looking straight at me. “Smart, funny, stubborn… irresistible.”
I bite my lip, trying to focus on the page instead of the way his gaze makes my chest tighten. “Stop flattering me,” I mutter.
“I’ll try… but no promises,” he replies with a grin, leaning just a little closer.
⸻
The day passes in a blur of writing, teasing, and easy laughter. We walk Eli to the bus stop, joke about summer projects, and even sneak a quick ice cream run. It feels… ordinary, but in the best way.
By evening, Jace and I are back on the porch, watching the sun dip below the trees. The air smells of late summer flowers and fresh grass. He drapes his arm over my shoulders, and I rest my head against his chest.
“Feels nice, doesn’t it?” he murmurs.
“Yeah,” I reply softly. “Being us… without hiding.”
He presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head. “Exactly. No pretending. Just… us.”
I close my eyes, letting the warmth of the moment sink in.
And for the first time, it really does feel like a new beginning.
- Writer
