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)
“Can I get you a drink?” Jace asked when I approached him at one of the tables.
“No,” I answered tersely, but then softened my tone. “Maybe just a Coke.”
He frowned. “Everything okay?” I must’ve been displaying some sign of being off balance because he seemed concerned.
“Not really.”
His frown deepened. “Tell me.”
I bristled with awkwardness. “It’s really nothing. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Shannon, I’m going to get you that Coke, and then you’re going to talk.”
I was about to argue, but he was already up and headed towards the bar. I couldn’t help watching him, and it brought me all the way back to our past. Alcohol hadn’t been Jace’s drug of choice, but I knew addiction was a lifelong struggle. That any substance offering an altered state could be dangerous, even alcohol. It was relieving to see him so at ease, no tension in his posture as he spoke casually to the bartender, offering some banter and a smile. He really had come a long way. Hopefulness blossomed in my chest. Maybe there could be something between us again … in time.
Francesca and her friend had just finished their rendition of Seal’s big hit, so I took the opportunity to bring her birthday present to her. It was a gift card for her favourite board games store. I’d noticed a lot of college aged kids were getting back into retro past times. Not that I was that much older, but I guess being a parent made you feel older in certain ways.
Once I was done wishing Jace’s little sister a happy birthday, he was at my side with a Coke in hand as he led me to sit with him at a free table. Elias was on stage singing the opening lines to some eighties love ballad, and my stomach twisted as I once again wondered what he’d gotten himself into. Jace dragged my attention back to him when he handed me my drink, his fingers gliding along mine. My breath caught, and his expression darkened when he noticed me shiver.
“Cold?”
“Nope.”
His eyebrow arched very slightly. “So, spill. What happened tonight to upset you?”
I let out a long exhale before shaking my head. “It’s silly, really.” I paused to take another sip, the syrupy sweetness soothing some of my tension. I’d had a few glasses of wine at Lotte’s, so the soft drink felt like a wise choice since I was a small bit tipsy already. “So, that Dominic guy who we thought was Margie’s date? She actually brought him there for me.”
Jace scoffed. “That was obvious.”
“You knew?”
“Of course, I knew. I saw the way he was looking at you. Why do you think I acted like a jealous arsehole?” The hint of humour had a smile tugging at my lips.
“It was kind of an arsehole move to call yourself my husband.”
He wore a wistful smile, a glint in his eye, “A boy can dream.”
I shoved his shoulder and laughed. “Don’t try to charm me, Lister.”
“Can’t do it, Kryten. Charming you is my life’s purpose.”
I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, I had to have a strong word with Margie since she didn’t give me any warning about bringing Dominic. She agreed she overstepped and promised to back off my romantic life. She can go a little overboard when she wants to help.”
Jace arched an eyebrow, obviously not feeling as forgiving towards Margie as I was. But I knew a lot about her, and I understood why she tried so hard to be a good friend. She’d had a rough start in life, had gotten pregnant young, like me, and lost the baby to a rare disease, then was estranged from her family in the aftermath. It was why I was so amazed by the success she’d made of herself, but she did really want to find someone to share it with. It was why she dated so much, and why she wanted me to find someone, too.
“I think she’s just lonely, and she doesn’t want me to end up where she is.”
“It’s understandable. She’s an attractive woman, though. Surely she can find someone who’s interested in her.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds, especially nowadays. Dating apps make people treat others like they’re disposable. I was actually thinking of introducing her to Dixon. She saw him the other day, and her jaw practically dropped to the floor,” I said with a chuckle.
“I could mention her to him,” Jace offered. “See if he’s interested.”
I grinned, enjoying the idea of matchmaking. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Margie, and Dixon was hot. I’d never say so to Jace, of course. If I did, he’d probably make sure I only ever had Isla watching over me for the rest of however long this strange period lasted.
“So, what are you going to sing?” Jace asked after a moment of quiet.