The morning started soft. There was sunlight spilling across the penthouse floor, the kind of golden calm that only comes after chaos has finally quieted.
Jace was buttoning his shirt when I walked into the room. He looked effortlessly composed as always, like he hadn't been the same man who once walked through gunfire for me.
"You're wearing that to the airport?" I teased, tilting my head. "Someone's going to mistake you for a celebrity."
He smirked, glancing over his shoulder. "That's the goal."
"Hmm, you wish."
He stepped closer, slid his hand around my waist, and murmured against my ear, "You'll still be the one they envy."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks betrayed me. "Flattery this early? You're either trying to distract me or avoid your mother's questions."
He grinned, and that was all the answer I needed.
