MATT
My stomach twists, and I slump into my seat, releasing a slow, shaky breath as my eyes drop to the table in front of me.
“So… the art girl. You know her, don’t you?” Jaci’s voice cuts through the quiet, and my head snaps up, meeting her gaze.
“What?”
Jaci smirks, sinking back into her seat with a cocked brow, her confidence radiating effortlessly. She’s stunning—so stunning it’s almost impossible not to feel drawn to her. But no matter how magnetic she is, she’s not the one for me.
“You know that girl. The one who left with the hot guy, right?” she asks, her tone teasing but pointed.
“I, uh… yeah,” I mumble, shifting uncomfortably. “We kind of… did this internet dating thing together.”
She smirks, sitting forward in her seat, and licks her lips. “Look at you opening up to me. You’re sad she hit it off with her date, and you didn’t?”
I furrow my brows. “What? No. We hit it off. This wasn’t a total disaster.”
“Wasn’t it?” she asks, tilting her head. “Matt, I think you and I both know we’re leaving here alone and will probably never speak again. You’ve ignored me the whole evening, too interested in someone else’s date, and you’ve told me I don’t meet your expectations. I know I did the wrong thing, and it made you switch off, but if you had told me who you were from the start, it might have been different. I might have been better prepared.”
I huff. “And if I told you who I was, you would have believed me?”
She exhales, looking up at the ceiling as if to ponder that thought. “I guess you have a point there. I’m so sorry this didn’t work out for us, and I am sorry I ruined the evening. I really like you, though. But if there is any consolation in this, I’m sure if the roles were reversed and you met one of your idols, you’d have reacted the same way.”
I exhale and retake her hand, giving it a slight squeeze. “I’m sorry, too… about everything. I should’ve been more present with you here tonight. You deserve better.”
“I did, but at least we know now before we get too attached. It was amazing to meet you, Matt. I can honestly say I’ll never forget this evening, even if it was one-sided.” She stands, and I stand, too, leaning in to embrace her. “Walk me to my car?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I would, I really want to, but I can’t just walk through the restaurant. Being who I am, it’s not safe. The public, the fans, they could swarm us. It’s dangerous, not just for me but for everyone around me. We could get mobbed.”
“Of course…” She shakes her head and lets out a small giggle. “For a second, I forgot. Then I guess this is goodbye?”
I clasp both of her hands in mine. “It’s been a privilege, Jaci. You’ll make some lucky man very happy one day.”
She leans and kisses my cheek. “Think about whatyouwant, Matt. I meanreallythink about it. You may already have the answer,” she says, pulling back and grabbing her purse from the table.
Furrowing my brows, I answer, “What does that mean?”
“You’ll figure it out when you’re ready. Thank you for an…” she tilts her head, “… interesting night. Don’t worry, I won’t go telling anyone who I met on my date. You have my word.”
Looking into her eyes, I know she’s telling the truth. I may not know Jaci that well, but I know sincerity when I see it. “Appreciate that. And you don’t have to be a stranger. I meanit, if you ever wanna come to a concert or anything, just let me know.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
I chuckle softly. “I don’t feel right letting you walk to your car alone. I’ll have Dwayne go with you.” Turning to Dwayne from security, I give him a quick nod, signaling him to come over. “Goodnight, Jaci,” I add, offering her a small smile before stepping back.
“Goodbye, Matt.” She embraces me again quickly, then turns, walking out of the room with Dwayne following her.
It’s funny, I thought I’d feel something. Sadness. Loss. Remorse. But nothing. Other than maybe slight relief.
Jaci exits, and I realize I’m left in the room with Scott from my security detail and figure…
Once again, I really am alone.
This is me.
This is my life.
And this is probably how it will be for the foreseeable future.
