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stay friends with the men you sleep with." It had always surprised me how easily she switched from romantic to friendship. It was weird.
    She shrugged. "If they can't handle it, they go. That's that."

 
    Chapter 4
    "I'll see you later." I said to Trisha as I stepped out of the back seat and onto the sidewalk in front of Rush Industries. I carried Jace's soup with me as I waved to Gabe. I knew he would wait at the curb until I walked inside before he took Trisha home. He had to be certain I was safe. With a shake of my head, I walked into the tall building and the car disappeared from sight.
    "Miss LeRoux," Bethany called out to me from the desk as I walked past. I was confused. Was there an issue? What did she want?
    With a head full of questions I closed the distance between us. "Yes, Bethany?"
    "A package came for you." She smiled as she passed a box over the counter and my stomach dropped. It was pretty. The box was white and it was tied with a lace ribbon into a bow at the top. It wasn't large. But it wasn't small either. It was the size of my laptop. And it was a terrifying sight. "I think it's a pre-wedding present." Bethany added when I failed to make a move toward the box.
    "Do you know who dropped it off?" I asked when I finally found the ability to speak.
    Bethany shook her head. "No," she looked uncomfortable. "He said he wanted it to be a surprise."
    "Oh," I nodded, gathering myself. She probably thought I was insane. "Thanks." I picked up the box and found it was disconcertingly lightweight. If there were more pictures...
    I pushed the thought from my mind as I walked through the lobby with the box in my hand. I rode the elevator with a pounding heart. It seemed to take three times as long as usual and when I finally arrived on Jace's floor, I felt the need to turn around and run. But Jace was standing there waiting for the elevator.
    "What took you so long?" His tone was tense.
    "What?" What was he talking about?
    "Gabe called me when he dropped you off. Why did it take you so long to come up here? I was just on my way down." He looked worried and relieved in the same time.
    I would have rolled my eyes. But I couldn't. He had a right to worry about me. Especially now that I had another delivery from 'my savior'.
    I handed Jace the box. "I stopped at the front desk when Bethany said I had a package."
    Jace looked at the package with a tight scowl. "My office. Now."
    I saw Laura's confusion at the sudden hostility in Jace's tone, but I there was nothing I could say. I couldn't explain this to her. I wouldn't even know where to begin. With a small smile I didn't feel in my heart, I started walking to Jace's office when I heard him bark a command at Laura.
    "Get Caleb in my office."
    "Of course." I could hear the confused question in her tone and I admired her control as she picked up the phone to call Caleb with no questions asked.
    I felt Jace's hand on my back as he guided me gently to his office. I was suddenly feeling exhausted. I wanted to strip down, wrap myself in a warm blanket and sleep for a millennia. This man who claimed to care for me so much was going to be the death of me. I had never been so stressed in my entire life and with the parents I had - that was saying something.
    Jace closed the door when we were inside his office. His shoulders were rigid and his hair was a mess - from running his hand through it, I knew. He turned to face me and his blue eyes were dark. "Did Bethany say anything else to you?"
    "No." I smirked. "She thinks it's a pre-wedding present."
    Jace ran a hand through his hair. Again. "The man didn't leave a message with her?"
    "Only that it was a surprise for me." I said quietly. I folded my arms over my belly, hugging myself. I felt sick.
    As soon as the thought came, I felt the nausea roll through my stomach and I bolted to the bathroom. Jace's expression turned from anger to startled worry as he followed me through the adjoining bedroom to the toilet. I leaned over and