Ace's POV

God, I'm sorry for complaining that Michael interrupted my date with Sophie. I didn't think it was a date, but I guess it is. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. Give me the right words to say. I'm trusting You.

I silently sit on the bench and lean forward.

"I'm sorry-." Michael begins to say.

I shake my head. "No. I'm sorry, Michael. Will you forgive me?" I turn my head and look at him.

His mouth is open and he just stares at me. "What?" He finally whispers.

"Will you forgive me?"

"You haven't-."

"Stop. You don't know how I think. Michael, let's face it. We have never been on the best terms. All I'm asking is for you to forgive me. I've done things I shouldn't have, just like everyone else on earth."

Michael nods. "I forgive you."

I sigh and lean back. Thank You, Jesus.

"What happened to you?"

I smile up at the bright sky and chuckle. "Jesus."

"Jesus?"

"Yep. Do you want to come to church with me next Sunday?" I question and turn towards him.

He has a blank look on his face and I think he will get up, walk away, and never look back. Then he shrugs. "I don't think things can get any worse."

I reach up and squeeze his shoulder. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"One. What happened after I left the band?" He turns to me and fear flickers in his eyes for a split second.

I drop my hand from his shoulder and stand up. "Sophie and I had a fight which ended with us breaking up and her moving here. Hunter left to college. Jaxon has been taking care of his kid. Sophie is in college too. I'm working right now."

"Why are you here?"

"In New Jersey?" I question and glance at him as he nods. I gaze inside the restaurant and meet her eyes. "Because she is here."

----THE YEAR OF HELLOS----

I lean my back against one of her living room walls and put my thumbs in my pockets. "So how was our first date?"

She glances up at me and then continues searching through her movies. "Interesting," she laughs. "It was good though."

"Just good?" I mock gasp. "I tried so hard!"

She gives me a 'whatever helps you sleep at night' look and then smiles. "Jaxon told me about your little talk."

I choke on my own spit and clear my throat. "About what?"

"That you practically freaked out when he said the word 'date'."

I blow out a breath. "I didn't freak out."

"I belive you, babe. Don't have a cow."

I can't help but grin when she says 'babe'.

Her body tenses. "Frosted flakes!"

I try to hold in the laughter but it doesn't work and I laugh so hard I end up laying in the floor laughing.

"What's so funny?" Sophie asks and hovers above my face.

"You, hunny bunny," I grin.

"Goodness gracious. We weren't this bad when we were dating," she mutters and moves away. "I'm starting Alvin and the Chipmunks. If you want to lay in the floor and watch it, that's fine. I'm sitting on the couch."

I sit up and crawl over to the couch. She giggles as I climb on the couch and prop my feet up on the coffee table. She lays down and lays her legs across my lap. "Are you comfortable?" I ask her and rub her legs.

"Yeah. I haven't felt like this in a long time."

"Maybe the next time won't be so long."