“We should sit out here with everyone,” she said, and I tensed up completely while shaking my head slowly.
How could I have expected anything different?
“Um… Jaci, I’d prefer not to. I’d rather spend the night with you, just you, no interruptions.”
Her smile faltered, but she agreed, and I turned, leading her to our table, feeling like maybe we’d done this all a little too soon.
As we approached the table, Jaci’s voice bubbled over with excitement.
“I still can’t believe I’m here with you,” she gushed, her words tumbling out in a rapid stream. “Like, Matt freaking Levine! I’ve been a fan for years. Your music… it’s been the soundtrack to my life. That acoustic set you did at your last concert… chills! And when you dropped that surprise album? Oh my God, I think I cried for a week. My friends are going to lose their minds when I tell them about this. Well, not everything, obviously—some things are just for me, right?”
Her laugh was bright and airy, but it barely registered. I nodded absently, letting her words wash over me while my mind lingered on the choices I’d made. The weight of disappointment hung heavily in my chest, pulling my focus away.
“I mean, honestly, how does it feel to know you’ve inspired millions of people? You’ve got fans, real fans like me, who would do anything to see you live. And now, here I am, sitting with you…”
Her voice faded as I spiraled deeper into my thoughts, going over what had just transpired, lost in my disappointment.
So I draw myself back into the present by saying, “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
She gushes. “It’samazingto meet you. I’ve always wanted to meet a celebrity.” She laughs like she’s super excited.
I die a little more inside.
On paper, she’s perfect.
She ticks so many of my criteria.
But in person, she’s falling short.
“Can we pretend like you’re meeting Matt, the guy fromLovepessimist.com, and not a celebrity?”
She winces. “Right, sorry, Matt. I’m an idiot. I guess I had no idea it was you. You never gave me any clues at all. I’m in a bit of shock here.”
I clear my throat. “I know, and I apologize for not telling you. I just thought I’d show you in person rather than give you that information in a text message, and worry that your intentions were to be with me only because of who I am, not because of the man I am. If that makes sense?”
She nods. “You’re worried I’d want to be with you for your fame only?”
I shrug. “Kinda comes with the territory of being famous, Jaci.”
She lifts her shoulder as she plays with her braid. “Well, I had no idea you were famous, and I liked you before. Now I know you’re famous, I like you even more.”
Strike one!
The waiter comes over with some bread, and I nod a simple thank you before I glance over at Alex, who’s still sans Logan.
I quickly check my watch—that ass is well and truly late.
I want to drop-kick the bastard myself.
If he’s stood her up, I won’t be happy.
“So, be honest, why does a guy like you go on a dating website?” Jaci asks, and I half-smile.
“To try to date a woman who wants me and not someone to fangirl over. Is it so bad that I want to find someone for me, not my career? I may be in a band, but that’s not who I am,” I state. It's probably a little rougher than I meant, but how can she not see that?
The fact that Logan has yet to show is only adding to my irritation with the evening.
She swallows hard, and I can’t help but notice how she tenses at my tone. “So, what, if I were to continue dating you, would you not want me to be in the spotlight with you?”
