“Worried for me or her?”

Jace rolls his eyes. “Anne’s assistant wouldn’t even talk to me until you were out of sight. What do you think? I didn’t want you to be caught off guard, though.”

I head toward the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Jace calls after me.

“I’m getting ready to go. I know you want to see Sam.”

Jace raises his eyebrows.

“I’ll be nice if she says anything,” I promise, giving him a cheeky grin. “Call Michael,” I add as I start up the staircase.

“Nice of you to leave that task to me again,” Jace hollers after me.

I shower quickly and get dressed in black jeans, black boots, and a cream-colored sweater. It’s even colder here than it was in Michigan. Jace yells my name from downstairs as I’m brushing my hair.

“I’m ready!” I shout, grabbing my coat and rushing down the stairs.

Jace is leaning against the banister, wearing the same fleece jacket and jeans he’s worn all day. The only thing he’s added is a backwards baseball cap.

“Think you’ll be warm enough?” he teases.

I scoff.

“Your entourage has arrived.”

“Okay, let’s go.” We say good night to Jace’s family and head outside to see the SUVs already waiting. I’m walking toward the rear one when Jace grabs my hand.

“Come on, we’re taking the truck.”

“Michael agreed to let us drive separately?”

“Yup.” Jace grins at my obvious surprise. “Apparently, ten hours in Fulton is all it took to convince him you aren’t in imminent danger here.”

“And what did you have to agree to?” I question, having negotiated with Michael before.

“Taking a defensive driving course,” Jace admits as we climb into the cab of the old truck. “I acted annoyed, but honestly, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Devious.”

“Thank you.” He smiles at me before beginning the trek down the long driveway.

“So…is there anyone besides Gretchen I should be avoiding tonight?”

“What do you mean?” he asks, glancing away from the dark road at me.

“Girls, Jace. Are there any other girls I should avoid tonight?” The brief conversations I had with Sam and Gretchen during my last visit here made it pretty clear Jace’s popularity among the opposite sex started long before he arrived at Lincoln.

“Sam didn’t mention who all would be there…” Jace hedges.

“So, probably?” I infer.

“It’s possible.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” Jace glances at me again.

“What, were you expecting me to demand a list of every girl you’ve ever slept with?” I ask, purposefully keeping my voice inscrutable.

“I really hope not,” Jace replies, risking another glance away from the road at me. He visibly relaxes when he sees my expression.

“Thanks to Lincoln’s gossip mill, I already know more than I ever wanted to,” I inform him.

Jace winces. “I would love to discuss literally anything else.”

I laugh. “We’re good, Dawson.”

I’ve always known Jace has a past; a past I fully expected to become a part of. Now? We’re engaged before we’ve even ever been out on a date. Jace has spent his whole life being fawned over. Is settling down really what he wants?