Just when I thought things were going to change between Paxton and me, I realize they aren’t. It’s been four weeks, and I haven’t heard from him. No phone call. No email. No text. I know it’s not because of him not wanting to contact me, it’s because he’s in some mountain across the world and I doubt they have cell service or Wi-Fi, for that matter. Hell, I’m not even sure if that’s where he still is. I’m pretty sure it is as Paxton has always contacted me before his next location. In the meantime, all I’ve done is work and sleep. I’ve even been avoiding Brooke and Miranda as I don’t have the energy to entertain them. The one person I’ve not been able to avoid is Jace. Seems he never has milk in his apartment, and he has a craving for pizza about three times a week. Which works for me since I never cook and he shows up with an extra-large meat lovers for the both of us. In the last four weeks, Jace has become a close friend and not once made a daring move toward me. Brooke and Miranda have expressed their opinion on this matter. Both feeling strongly that I need to play it safe around him and make sure that Paxton understands that we’re friends and only friends.

Just as I go to crawl in bed, there’s a knock on the door. Grumbling, I make my way to it, look through the peephole and see the smiling face of Jace on the other side. Welcoming him in, I take a whiff of the pizza and feel my stomach roll as if it just took a trip on a massive roller coaster.

Running away with my hand covering my mouth, I make it to the bathroom in just enough time. I’m not sure what’s come over me as I lie here on the floor for a moment praying that this is the last of being sick. The one thing I can’t deal with is throwing up or being nauseous. Standing, I rinse my mouth before splashing water on my face. Lost in my own world, I didn’t hear my phone ring until I walk back out to see Jace on FaceTime with Paxton.

“Yeah, here she is,” Jace says as he hands me my phone. I put on a fake smile as I’m still not feeling well.

“Hi, where are you?” I ask as I notice the green mountains behind him.

“You okay? We’re still here in Ethiopia. The weather has been shit, and it’s been hard to get all the shots I needed.”

“Wow, it looks beautiful,” I respond with.

“Are you sick? You look pale, and Jace said you were in the bathroom sick.”

“I think I might’ve gotten a bug. I’ve been tired, but the smell of the pizza made me sick.”

“Go to the doctor tomorrow. You know how you get when you get sick.”

“I know,” I say as I quickly excuse myself from Jace and head to my bedroom. I’m not sure where our conversation is going to go, but I feel that this needs to be done behind closed doors.

Paxton must notice immediately that I’m in my room. “What’s Jace doing there?”

“Calm down, we’re friends and he brought over dinner, which I have a feeling I won’t be eating.”

“So you two are hanging out these days?”

“Yes, we’re friends. When are you coming home?”

“That’s why I was calling. We have another few days here before I have to head to the Yucatan Peninsula.”

“Oh,” is all I can muster up to say as I hide the frown on my face.

“I was hoping to have more time, but it looks like the crew’s ready to move. This was the first sign of cell service, and I wanted to see your face.”

I nod as I agree with him, unable to say anything else as I still feel tired.

“Get some rest, Belle, and go see a doctor. I’ll be home soon, okay.”

“Okay.”

“Hey, I love you.”

“Love you too,” I say as the call is disconnected. It’s weird that our love you still feels the same as it has for our lifetime. It’s not new, it’s just us. Pushing myself up from my bed, I pad back out to Jace. “You okay? Need anything?” Jace asks with worry laced through his voice.

“Yeah, just tired I think.”

“Alright, well I left you some food and put it in the microwave. I’m going to head home so you can rest.”

“Thanks.”

“How’s Paxton?”

“Seems okay, he looked a little tired himself.”

“That’s what he said. Sorry for answering your phone, but I saw his name pop up and you’ve been waiting for him to call. Didn’t want you to miss it.”

“No, thank you. I appreciate it. That’s been the first call since Paxton’s been gone.”

“Belle, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” I answer as I turn my head to figure out if I can tell what he’s about to ask.

“Does he know that I’m not interested in you?”

“What? Why would you ask that? Did he say something?” I ask, but wonder why he wouldn’t be interested in me? I’m cute, but I guess with Jace being a male model he only wants a stick figure who can match his stride down the runway.

“No, but I could tell he wasn’t happy to see my mug on the other end of that call.”

“I can let him know if you need me to, but he’s not said anything.”

“Just for the record, if he wants to join my side, I’d be all over him.”

“I’m so confused right now. What does that even mean?”

“Belle, you’re cute and all, but let’s just say Paxton is more my type,” he says with a wink and a little flare in his hands. It dawns on me and I can’t help but smile and nod, letting him know I understand what he’s saying. Okay, now that he’s let that cat out of the bag, I totally see it now.

“Cool. Well, if you need something just text me.”

“Thanks again, Jace. I’ll see you later,” I say before closing the door and locking up. I pass through the rest of the house, turning off all the lights as I make my way back to my bed. That’s the only place I want to be. I fall asleep dreaming of a life with Paxton. The two of us married, babies running around the backyard, and me driving a minivan.