FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS OF THE CHEATER.FAKER.TROUBLEMAKER SERIES (WATTY'S 2016, FICTION AWARDS 2016, HACHETTE AUDIO 2017), JENNY ROSEN & KRISTEN MAGLONZO.
After bullies, braces, and brutal heartbreak shatters his faith in love, soon-to-be fre...
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CHAPTER 60
Elias
I never thought a burial ground could be someplace beautiful, but all it takes is a single look at Mrs. Sander's resting place to prove me wrong.
Lacey's mom is buried in one of the most stunning spots in San Diego. Cliffside's a quiet cemetery surrounded by sleepy palm trees and nestled right next to the Pacific coastline. If it were any other day, I'd take Lacey here at sunset, sit with our feet dangling over sandy slopes leading down to the beach, and watch the ocean turn gold. But no matter how badly I wish today was just another date, the reality of why we're here is a different story.
The thing is, I thought I'd be more ready for this moment than I actually am. I've been planning this anniversary visit for weeks. Pete finally gave me the chance to do something big for Lacey, and I went all in. Did I know if she'd actually agree to any of this? Absolutely not, but Pete kept telling me to "have faith in things hoped for but not yet seen", so—I did just that. Granted, I definitely had a couple panic attacks over whether or not Lacey would even want me to meet her mom, but by some miracle she invited me.
Luckily, as unlikely as I expected it to be, I prepared to meet her mom rain or shine. I even went as far as writing out a "Don't Screw Up Meeting Lacey's Mom" speech just in case I blanked on the big day. And what did I learn from all that writing? Speeches are freaking hard. Mr.K's been riding me about not taking notes in class, but I'm too busy taking notes on how to say the right things to Lacey. Chemistry can wait.
I've got a notebook full of ideas on everything I'd say. Pete's heard my spiel at least six times. Honestly, the guy's a Godsend for agreeing to put up with me at all. He's seen me through my stress breakdowns and freak out calls, and for that, I'm seriously grateful. But even with all his support, I'm still ball-crushingly nervous. No joke. Now that Lace and me are actually here, pulling into Cliffside's mostly empty parking lot, I don't know if I'm actually gonna be able to do this.
I shut off the car and smile at Lacey from behind my Ray Bans like I'm cool, calm, and collected when the exact opposite is true.
"You ready to see the woman of the hour?" I ask, but I'm not sure if I'm actually talking to her or myself.
Lacey reaches across the car and tangles her fingers between mine.
"I am if you are."
I break out into the kind of laugh that comes off way weirder than I want it too. If I keep going like this, she's gonna figure me out, and I can't let that happen today. I check my reflection in the mirror to see if the easy-going mask I'm wearing is starting to slip.
