Regret Came Too Late

When Grace returned to the bedroom, she took a shower first.

By the time she came out, the snacks on the table had been cleared away.

She saw the lump under the covers, walked over slowly, and snuggled beside Ed. His arms felt so good around her.

Her hand drifted down, and she felt the red bead bracelet and the ring on his wrist. He seemed to really like them-he wore them every time he came to see her.

A feeling of warmth spread through her, and she smiled. "You're not planning on taking off the ring and bracelet I gave you, are you?"

He held her closer, his embrace tightening.

"Nope. Not unless something bad happens to me. I'll wear them forever."

Grace's brow furrowed, and she abruptly placed her hand over his lips. "Do not utter such ominous words."

He pressed a kiss to her palm, his spirits seemingly lifting in response.

"Okay."

Grace was tired. She yawned, almost asleep, when he asked, "A lot of people are crazy for your old boss. If he was around, would you change your mind?"

Grace snapped awake, feeling somewhat weirded out. Uncertain, she asked, "Change my mind about what? That I actually like Ethan? Am I crazy?"

Her answer came quickly-there was no hesitation at all.

He went quiet, fiddling with the red bead bracelet on her wrist with his fingers.

Grace thought he was worried, so she reassured him. "Don't worry about that. There's absolutely no way I could ever like Ethan."

"Why not?"

"We're from different worlds, and he's not right for me. Ed, you sound really worried about him."

His voice was already low, and now it got even quieter. "I'm just scared that all of this is too good to last."

she just planted a couple of quick kisses on

about things that

was almost asleep when she

sleep had now left Grace, and she

"Give me your ID. If you agree, I can get our marriage certificate really quickly. That way,

his tone lowered

just wanted to be in a relationship

really pictured herself getting married. It always

even gotten a good look at his

her head. "Once we're married,

over, turning

help but pull her close. "Grace, I'm terrified. I'm scared all the

his voice was even shaking

tired, for

struggled to

things were fine

closed her eyes. "Ed, let's talk

grabbed her waist hard. "It's just a piece of paper.

cut him off. "I don't want to get married, not to

voice suddenly flashed into her mind. It seemed she might have said something similar

until I'm old

I like you.

her temples and suddenly sat up in

still on her waist. When he saw her like this, he asked in

tone, "What's wrong?"

just remembered some stuff from

"What stuff?"

"Ed, I'm exhausted."

always tired when

and got

the floor, he grabbed

Grace's headache was

hand