Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
A silence fell as we studied one another. My throat constricted when his gaze wandered over me, taking in my neatly tied back hair, my clean black shoes, and the stylish tan trench coat I’d gotten from Ted Baker in the recent sale. My attention went to the glint of his silver lip ring, the tattoos peeking out from under the collar of his black T-shirt, and the ones that adorned his arms. Zara’s name was inked in pretty script on the inside of his forearm right next to mine.
Despite our split, he’d never had it removed.
We’d always been such opposites. Me the studious rule follower and him the wild and reckless rebel. At school, people often wondered at our friendship, but we’d been neighbours and best friends since we were twelve. That was back when we were just a couple of kids and all those teenage hormones had yet to kick in.
“You look well,” he said in that sincere tone, the one that was always accompanied by a soft look in his eyes. It was his tender side, and I knew it was genuine. This was why it was so hard to hate him. He’d destroyed our marriage with his addiction, but in spite of that, I understood that it was a sickness, one he couldn’t control at the time, though he seemed to have tamed the addiction now. Jace was clean and sober, and it looked good on him.
“You, too,” I replied at last. “You look healthy.”
The faintest hint of a smirk touched his lips, like he knew very well just how sexy and attractive he was, and that “healthy” didn’t even begin to cover it.
“Thanks. Angelica hired a fitness coach and nutritionist to come on tour with us. He’s been keeping us all in shape.”
“Angelica always had the best ideas. How is she?” I’d been fond of the band’s manager. She was half the reason they were so successful, a steady hand and guiding light who managed to wrangle the chaos and mayhem that was Astro.
“She’s good. She asked me to send you her best, by the way.”
“Well, send mine back,” I said, glancing inside the house. “Um, can I go in now, or is there anything else you’d like to talk about?”
His lips twitched at the hint of attitude in my tone. “No, that’s all for now. My parents are taking us to dinner after the concert if you’d like to come.”
“Oh,” I said, shifting from one foot to the other. “I’m not sure. I have some work to finish. Zara can go though, so long as you’re able to drop her home after.”
His eyes got that determined look I knew so well. “Come to dinner, Shannon. Please. We’re going to Sorrento’s.”
Damn him. He knew that Sorrento’s was my favourite. “Well, so long as it’s no trouble.”
Jace stepped aside, motioning me into the house at long last. “No trouble. My parents love you more than me, if you recall,” he said, dipping his head down as I stepped by him.
“That’s not true,” I argued while a waft of his cologne, something cool, fresh, and citrusy assaulted my senses.
It was new. I hadn’t remembered smelling that on him when we’d been together, and it made me wonder if he had a new woman in his life. Did he wear that for her? It was a silly thing to fixate on, but I couldn’t help it. I’d been single since the divorce went through. I’d always planned to get back out on the dating scene, but raising Zara took precedence, and on top of my work, there wasn’t a lot of time for anything else.
Perhaps Jace having her more often would be a good thing in that regard. I might finally get the chance to see what was out there. Although according to my friend, Margie, it was rough going. At twenty-seven, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to dive into dating, and honestly, I didn’t have to. I knew the option was there, but this time was for me.
I’d take myself on day dates if I wanted. A quiet coffee at a café, a spa afternoon, maybe even a haircut that made me feel like a new person. No one else’s expectations, no compromises, no emotional projects that needed me to carry the weight. I’d rather be alone than sort through duds and … well, the occasional douche, if Margie’s stories were anything to go by. But if someone came along that I gelled with, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore it. For now, it was about reclaiming myself, living for me, and reminding myself that my happiness didn’t depend on anyone else. I could have fun. Fun by myself. Fun dating. It didn’t need to be stressful and daunting.
I walked down the wide hallway and into the living room where Zara was sitting with her grandmother, telling her all about the songs she’d be performing at the concert. It made me happy to see her so energised, to have something she loved, and she really loved singing.