Page 80 of Wanna Bet?

"Obviously I’m going to ask. You’re my best friend, and now so is she." Ellis laughed.

Jace couldn't help smiling. "Good." The answer came easier than expected. Because it was true.

"Good?" Ellis repeated.

"Yeah." Jace paused, then said, “Really good.”

The smile Ellis gave him was softer than usual. It was less teasing and more genuine. "I'm happy for you."

Jace smiled. "Thanks."

"You deserve it."

Before Jace could respond, the front door opened again and voices filled the apartment. More people arrived. Then more. Then somehow even more. Ellis left Jace’s side to go stand next to Issaky and greet the newcomers. He was pretty proud of the guy. Jace knew it was hard for Ellis to be around so many noises and people, but love made you do crazy things.

Thirty minutes later the place was packed. Absolutely packed. Jace found Ellis again near the living room and stopped him.

​“Have you seen Myah yet?” Jace asked loudly over the people.

The energy in the apartment seemed to multiply by the second and Jace was growing increasingly nervous without his extroverted girlfriend beside him.

“Jace, when has Myah ever been on time to anything?” Ellis asked with a cocked brow and a grin that read ‘I’m drunk already’.

Before Jace could argue and even attempt to stand up for Myah, who was one hundred percent always late, the front door opened and everything else disappeared. Myah walked inside and Jace forgot how to breathe. Forgot how to think. Forgot how conversations worked.

She wasn't wearing a dress. Instead she had on high-waisted black pants that somehow made her legs look endless and a cropped emerald-green top beneath a black jacket. The green made her pink hair stand out even more. Long waves spilled over one shoulder and the top half had been pulled back into a loose braided style that exposed the curve of her neck.

Silver earrings caught the light when she moved and Jace admired them as his eyes made their way up to her face. Her makeup was subtle but perfect. Dark liner, soft shimmer, glossy lips. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Jace stared helplessly.

Beside him, Ellis whistled. "Wow."

"Yeah," Jace said, almost in a whisper.

"You're staring." Ellis giggled.

"Yep." Jace nodded, taking in his girlfriend.

"You should probably stop." Ellis lightly bumped Jace’s shoulder.

"Nope."

Ellis laughed and Myah spotted them. Her face immediately lit up. And somehow she became even prettier. Which felt unfair.

She crossed the room and Jace watched as people naturally moved around her. Drawn toward her energy the way they always were.

Ellis greeted her first. "You look amazing."

Myah beamed. "So do you."

Ellis glanced down at himself. "I'm literally wearing a sweater."

"A fantastic sweater," Myah shot back.

"You're my favorite." Ellis smiled big.

"I know." Myah flipped her long hair, then her eyes found Jace. And everything else disappeared again.