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."

Grace was sleepy, so she just planted a couple of quick kisses on his face.

"It's okay, don't worry about things that haven't even happened."

She closed her eyes and was almost asleep when she heard him say, "Hey, why don't we just get married?"

and she sat up, afraid he was

your ID. If you agree, I can get our marriage certificate really quickly. That way, I won't

his tone lowered

She just wanted to be in a relationship with Ed, not get married

It always

even gotten a

her head. "Once we're married, I'll let

turning

a jolt of panic and couldn't help but pull her close. "Grace, I'm terrified.

his voice was even shaking when he said

for so much had

to her amnesia, she struggled to comprehend the extent of his

were fine as

let's talk about this

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

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

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

until I'm old

course! I like you. I want to

her temples and suddenly sat

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

tone, "What's wrong?"

remembered some stuff

"What stuff?"

"Ed, I'm exhausted."

are you not? You're always tired when you're with

and got out

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

Grace's headache was

hand off. his

throbbing. "That's

it.

in the

going

to cool

We

opened the door, and walked out without a second