“Um, sure,” I bit my lip, then glanced back at the cake display cabinet. “I’ll take an almond croissant, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Not at all. I’ll be right back.” Rufus left and walked up to the counter while my phone buzzed again. Suspecting it was Jace, I tried to resist checking the message and failed. My curiosity got the better of me.
Jace: So how’s it going?
Me: Fantastic. He’s the man of my dreams.
Jace: Impossible. I already hold that title.
Me: You did, and then you lost it. Now quit texting me.
Jace: I’ll win it back. Everyone loves a comeback story.
I frowned down at the text in confusion. Was that his plan? Was he trying to win me back for real? The idea never occurred to me, but just thinking it had flurries of butterflies invading my stomach. This wasn’t fair. I was trying to see if Rufus and I had a connection, and Jace was going out of his way to distract me.
Deciding I wouldn’t entertain him any longer, I put my phone on silent just as Rufus returned with my croissant.
9.
Shannon
Rufus was not, as it turned out, the man of my dreams. After chatting about our jobs, he proceeded to speak about his marriage, the reasons it fell apart, and basically why it was all his ex-wife’s fault. It was clear he was still processing the split and certainly wasn’t ready for a new relationship.
But the sad fact of the matter was that I just wasn’t attracted to him. He had a handsome face and a decent physique, but I just didn’t feel the pull I did with … well, Jace. Would every man be overshadowed by my ex? Please say no.
We ended the date after about thirty minutes, and I paid a visit to the bathroom to change out of my heels and into the flats I’d packed in my handbag. I felt like walking back to the house to collect Zara, but no way was I doing it in heels.
Walking was my favourite way to clear my head. I just always felt better after a long stroll. It took about forty minutes to get there, and I was already knocking on the door before I realised it was barely eleven thirty. I’d told Jace I wouldn’t be back until one. Dammit. He was going to know the date didn’t go as well as I’d hoped.
Thankfully, his mother was the one to answer the door. “Shannon, you’re back early. I just made a berry smoothie. Would you like one?”
“Sure,” I replied and followed her inside. I could hear someone playing the guitar nearby, or at least trying to play. As I passed by the living room, I peered in. Jace was sitting across from Zara. He held an acoustic guitar, and Zara held a much smaller version.
“Okay, so press down on the strings like that,” Jace said, instructing Zara on where to place her fingers. “And now strum.” Zara strummed, then smiled wide.
“Perfect, you just played a C chord. How does that feel?”
“I want to learn how to play Olivia Rodrigo,” Zara said, and Jace laughed.
“Okay, rockstar, but you need to learn the basics first.”
Zara pouted, and I found myself smiling as I watched them. Jace must’ve sensed eyes on him because his gaze lifted, meeting mine. He arched an eyebrow, a vaguely pleased expression shaping his features to see I was back so soon. I quickly dragged my gaze away and hurried after his mother.
“Did Jace get Zara a guitar?” I asked as Matilda poured the bright red smoothie into two separate glasses.
“He did. She’s been asking him to teach her for a while, but up until now, he’d been touring so much, and he never had the time.”
“I guess it was going to happen sooner or later. She definitely inherited the musical gene from him.”
“True,” Matilda agreed. “She loves to sing, too.” She took a sip from her smoothie before eyeing me. “Jace mentioned you went on a coffee date?”
I pursed my lips and fiddled with the glass, feeling awkward. “Um, yeah, I did.”
“That’s great. How did it go?”
Wincing, I shot her a disappointed look before sighing and finally taking a sip from the smoothie. Matilda sent me a commiserating frown. “That bad?”
“It’s just … there was no spark. Don’t tell Jace. He’ll be way too pleased.” I spoke low so as not to be overheard.
