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."

was sleepy, so she just planted a couple

about things that haven't even

and was almost asleep when she heard him say, "Hey,

Grace, and she sat up,

I can get our

get an answer, his tone lowered somewhat. "What? You don't want

be in a

never really pictured herself getting married. It always seemed too unreal and uncertain

even gotten a good look at

through her head. "Once we're married, I'll let you see what I

over, turning her back

and couldn't help but pull her

and his voice was even shaking when

tired, for so much had happened

amnesia, she struggled to

were fine

let's

waist hard. "It's

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

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

I marry you someday? I can't wait until I'm old enough to get married!"

course! I like you.

and

waist. When he saw her like this,

tone, "What's wrong?"

just remembered some stuff from

"What stuff?"

"Ed, I'm exhausted."

You're always tired when

got out of

he grabbed her waist.

Grace's headache was

hand off.