“I can’t keep pretending I don’t still want him.”
This time, it doesn’t gut me. It frees me.
Even if it hurts like hell.
Chapter Thirteen
The Coffee Shop Collision
Sarah
Iwake up with my face pressed into the pillow and my eyes already sore.
Not from crying but from holding everything in.
Last night sits heavy in my chest the second I open my eyes. The date at The Bar. The look on Jace’s face when he saw me. The way my whole body reacted before I could even think.
And Brian.
God.Brian.
A genuinely nice man I basically abandoned mid-conversation because my heart decided to do emotional parkour the moment Jace walked through the door.
I groan into the pillow.
Before I can talk myself into rolling over and ignoring the day entirely, my phone buzzes somewhere near the foot of the bed. I stretch until my fingers brush the screen and drag it close.
Emma:Morning. How’s your heart? And more importantly, how hungover are your emotions?
Me:Emotions are… wobbly. Physically I’m fine.
Emma:Uh-huh. Now tell me the truth. And tell me about Brian, because I’ve been waiting all night. Ethan said it wasn’t good.
I press the heel of my hand to my forehead.
Me:The date wasn’t great. And none of that is Brian’s fault.
Emma:Oh no. How bad are we talking?
Me:Bad enough that I owe him an apology and maybe a fruit basket.
I pause, staring at the blinking cursor, because she’s going to drag the truth out of me anyway.
Me:Truthfully, I feel awful about last night.
Emma:About Brian or about… Jace?
Me:Both. Mostly Brian. He didn’t deserve to sit there while I mentally imploded.
Emma:I knew you were spiraling when you texted. I’m just glad you made it home in one piece.
Me:Same. Still mortified though.
Emma:That’s because you’re a decent human. So. What’s the plan?
A beat passes.
Me:I should definitely apologize. He was kind, and I bailed on him mid-date.
