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."

so she just planted a couple of

don't worry about

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

now left Grace, and she sat up, afraid he

you agree, I can get our marriage certificate really quickly. That way, I won't have to worry about

tone lowered somewhat.

just wanted to be in a relationship

pictured herself getting married. It always seemed

hadn't even gotten a good look

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

rolled over, turning her back to

and couldn't help but pull her close. "Grace, I'm terrified. I'm scared

ever called her Grace, and his voice was even shaking when

extremely tired, for so much had happened

she struggled to comprehend

things were fine as they

her eyes. "Ed, let's talk about this later,

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

want to get

flashed into her mind. It seemed she might have

can't wait until I'm

like you. I want to

rubbed her temples and suddenly sat

still on her waist. When he

tone, "What's wrong?"

just remembered some stuff

"What stuff?"

"Ed, I'm exhausted."

always tired when you're with

got out of

floor, he grabbed her waist. "You can't keep treating me

Grace's headache was

hand