Free Ace's Key: Book 1 by Abbie St. Claire Page B

back from New
York’s time.
    Scheisse, I mumbled .
    “Excuse me, ma’am, could you repeat that?” the hostess asked.
    “Oh sorry, I just meant I’m really early. I messed up the time.
If it’s a problem for a table, I’ll just have a seat on the patio or at the
bar.”
    “It’s no problem; we’re not busy this morning.” She ushered me
to a table by the wall of windows. “Bree will be your server. She’ll be right
with you.”
    A pretty young lady approached with a huge smile. “Good
morning, would you like some coffee or a mimosa perhaps, while you wait for
your friends?”
    “Oooh, now you’re talking.” I giggled. She had me at the
mention of a mimosa. “I’d love both and is there a copy of the Sunday paper
available?”
    “A girl after my own heart. Coming right up.”
    * * *
    Deep into the newspaper and enjoying my second cup of coffee, I
opened a new section and a photo caught my eye with the caption “Laci Williams Marries
Connor Sanders”.
    The write-up didn’t announce it was a shotgun wedding, but I
would’ve put money on it. I stared at the photo, but I couldn’t see a baby
bump, so only time would tell.
    I thought maybe I should order another mimosa; after all, I
wasn’t driving. I started to fold up the paper when another photo caught my
eye. The announcement read “Francesca D’Angelo Marries Millionaire Developer
Gavin Fitzgerald”.
    What the fuck?
    I read through the announcement several times before googling
the story on my phone. There were quite a few articles, and I saw Lucas had served
as Best Man. What? What? What?
    Oh my God, I’d screwed everything up. Fucking unbelievable .
I’d jumped to conclusions and hadn’t listened to him. Lucas surely thought I’d
behaved like an immature spoiled brat.
    I shook my head to try to lift the fog and was zoned in on the
photos when Ashley and Claire joined me.
    “You struggling? Need glasses or a bigger phone?” Claire asked.
    They both laughed, but I simply looked at them in confusion.
    “You okay? You look as though someone died? What’s wrong?”
Claire asked, unfolding the napkin before her.
    “I made a huge mistake, and I don’t know if I can fix it.”
    “Need just a bit more info than that, sweet-cheeks, before I
can give advice. What or whom are we discussing?” Claire responded.
    “Ace. I thought he was engaged to someone else, and I treated
him very ugly. I didn’t listen to his explanation.”
    “When was this?” Ashley asked.
    “The day of the fire.”
    Ashley and Claire shared a surprised look without speaking. I
watched them as they both looked back at me.
    “Mia, we haven’t seen Ace at the Bluestone, and there was an
article in the paper, saying Bluestone was being sold.” Ashley spoke softly as
she reached for my hand. She must’ve assumed I would be numb with the news that
Ace was gone.
    “No, no, that can’t happen.” I felt a tear slide down my cheek.
My heart shattered, and the pieces were barely gripped together with barbed
wire. I had to find him and hoped he’d listen to me as I expressed how sorry I
was.
    I couldn’t order food and suddenly regretted having the second
mimosa. Nausea ripped through me. I took a sip of water and watched as the
glass trembled in my hand, more evidence of the emotional toll crossing over
me.
    “You’ll find him, and this will all settle down and be fine. You’ll
see,” Ashley said.
    “You’re right… You had something to tell me. Spill.” I hoped
changing the conversation would change my mood.
    “Sean and I have been together.”
    “Okay, yes…um, ohmygod, you mean you two…”
    “Yes, we had sex, and it was amazing. He is such a great lover
and adores teaching me things. I mean, I know I have nothing to compare it to,
but I was ready, and it felt right with him. He was so nervous about it being
my first time and all.” Ashley was beaming.
    “Happiness looks beautiful on you, doll. I knew you’d find the
right guy.”
    It was possible to be