Chapter 6 Leroy took off like the floor was lava . Grandma sighed . " If that kid stayed that shy , he'd be way more likable . It's when he opens his mouth that people wanna strangle him . " I nodded , then glanced up - straight into Jace's eyes . He must've seen everything . His face was paper - white , just staring , even with Ava shoving at him like a broken record . Grandma snorted . " Pick him , he's mad . Don't pick him , he's still mad . That's people for you they only get it once it's gone . " I ignored him , chatted with a couple guests , then grabbed my purse to slip outside . Right as I turned , a hand clamped on my arm . Jace's eyes burned into mine . " Why him ? " he bit out . " Since when have you been with Leroy ? " I yanked my arm free . " Watch it . My private life's none of your business . If not Leroy , who else would I be engaged to ? " His lips parted . " But we were in love . Weren't you obsessed with me ? " I almost laughed . " Didn't you claim amnesia ? Said Ava was the only girl you remembered ? Didn't you beg me to let you have her ? " Yeah - he begged for it . So why did he look like I'd just ripped something priceless out of his hands ? Jace tried again , slower . " I think I still love you . What we had was real . Once we're married , give it a couple years , maybe I'll remember everything . " Grandma blew up in my head . " Still feeding her lies ? What , you think we're as clueless as you are ? " I was done with the act . " Jace Thome , " I said , voice flat , " does anyone tell you how pathetic it looks , faking amnesia just to have it both ways ? " He froze , fingers clamping my sleeve . " H - How did you know ? " I shook him off , disgust curling in my chest . " I already gave you what you wanted . Don't bother me again . " By the time he snapped back , I was already walking off . He tried to follow , but Ava latched onto his arm , bawling and dragging him down . Through gritted teeth , he yelled , " Leroy's no saint either ! Half our circle hates him . You should think this through ! " I didn't even slow down . " My choices are mine . If I picked him , he's worth it . " He hesitated , then shouted , " You'll regret marrying him ! " " Sorry , but I won't . " Grandma clapped in my head . " Atta girl . Sharp as I was back in the day . " I slipped out of the hall and leaned on the railing , letting the evening breeze cool me off . At some point , someone showed up beside me , dark eyes locked on mine . " I told you to wait inside . Why'd you come out here ? " I glanced at Leroy . " Doesn't this spot feel like back in college ? " The four of us heirs went to school together . When we didn't have class , we'd hang by the windows for the breeze . Chapter 6 +25 BONUS Mostly it was me and Jace . If he ditched , I'd go alone - and sometimes I'd run into Leroy . Back then , I couldn't stand him . His sharp mouth and the way he trashed Jace drove me nuts . We argued almost every time we crossed paths . The only time he shut up was when we stood in the breeze like this - just ... there . Leroy handed me a beer , then knocked back a few gulps of his own . He clearly had something on his mind , but he stayed quiet .