Jace was a flirt, everyone knew that. But his flirty nature had been waning. You came into his life like a strong gust of wind, blowing him away. You're the only one Jace would look at. The only one Jace would flirt with.

And it was getting on Clary's nerves.

She had met him first, she had kissed him first, and she had claimed him long before you. You were oblivious, brushing his advances off. Clary froze when she had walked into the kitchen this morning.

Jace was standing behind you, hands working on something on the counter. It looked like he was cutting ingredients for something. You were staring up at him, both of you grinning like idiots. Clary gritted her teeth.

The others in the Institute didn't take kindly to you either. Alec believed you were controlling Jace, stringing him along like a puppet. Isabelle hated seeing her brother pine so obviously. And she seemed to hate you for causing Alec's pining to worsen.

Jace's hands were cold against yours as he guided the utensil in your grip. "Your mind is so far away," he spoke softly, voice soothing. His accent made the words sound so sensual, even though they were a simple observation. He gave you a considering look.

"Are you alright? You're always so... in your head," he remarked, hands pausing as the knife sliced clean through the vegetable on the cutting board.