Damn him. He knew that Sorrento’s was my favourite. “Well, so long as it’s no trouble.”
Jace stepped aside, motioning me into the house at long last. “No trouble. My parents love you more than me, if you recall,” he said, dipping his head down as I stepped by him.
“That’s not true,” I argued while a waft of his cologne, something cool, fresh, and citrusy assaulted my senses.
It was new. I hadn’t remembered smelling that on him when we’d been together, and it made me wonder if he had a new woman in his life. Did he wear that for her? It was a silly thing to fixate on, but I couldn’t help it. I’d been single since the divorce went through. I’d always planned to get back out on the datingscene, but raising Zara took precedence, and on top of my work, there wasn’t a lot of time for anything else.
Perhaps Jace having her more often would be a good thing in that regard. I might finally get the chance to see what was out there. Although according to my friend, Margie, it was rough going. At twenty-seven, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to dive into dating, and honestly, I didn’t have to. I knew the option was there, but this time was forme.
I’d take myself on day dates if I wanted. A quiet coffee at a café, a spa afternoon, maybe even a haircut that made me feel like a new person. No one else’s expectations, no compromises, no emotional projects that needed me to carry the weight. I’d rather be alone than sort through duds and … well, the occasional douche, if Margie’s stories were anything to go by. But if someone came along that I gelled with, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore it. For now, it was about reclaiming myself, living for me, and reminding myself that my happiness didn’t depend on anyone else. I could have fun. Fun by myself. Fun dating. It didn’t need to be stressful and daunting.
I walked down the wide hallway and into the living room where Zara was sitting with her grandmother, telling her all about the songs she’d be performing at the concert. It made me happy to see her so energised, to have something she loved, and she really loved singing.
“I haven’t seen her this excited about anything before,” Jace said, and I was suddenly aware of his warmth behind me. He was tall like his dad and had always towered over me. And just like always, I couldn’t help admiring how much bigger he was, his shoulders wide and solid, like a wall I could just fall back into and find no resistance.
What was going on with me? This reaction to him was simply because I hadn’t seen him in a year. That was all. My body remembered him, and I hadn’t been touched in a very long time.
It was only when his eyes darkened that I realised I hadn’t responded to his statement, merely turned my head to stare at him. His voice was low and rough when he murmured, “Better stop looking at me like that, baby.”
Immediately, I stiffened, my back going ramrod straight as I folded my arms across my chest. “Don’t call me that. And I wasn’t looking at you any sort of way.”
“You forget,” he whispered, dipping his head ever so slightly, “that I know you inside and out, Shannon. I know all your looks, and I know what they mean.”
My belly flipped, and embarrassment took hold because he was right. He did know all my looks and what they meant. We’d been together too long for him not to know so much about me that I wished he’d forgotten by now. What did it say that he hadn’t? Instead of responding and getting into a petty back and forth, I stepped farther into the room and joined Matilda and Zara on the couch.
“Look, Mam. Granny made me a brooch to wear for the concert.” Zara presented the pretty beaded creation that was now pinned to her lapel.
“Wow, it’s gorgeous,” I exclaimed before looking to Matilda. “Thank you. Everything you make is always so beautiful.”
“Well, I wish you’d wear some of the dresses I’ve made for you,” she said with a teasing smile. My mother-in-law was an incredible designer. She’d made a name for herself making bespoke pieces over the years, and many celebrities coveted her work. She’d even designed a dress for an Oscar winner to wear to the Met Gala last year. So, yeah, Jace, though incredibly talented in his own right, was never escaping those nepo baby accusations. Not with a mother and father like his.
“I do plan on wearing them,” I said, thinking of the colourful designs that I adored looking at in my wardrobe but would feel far too uncomfortable actually wearing. I’d neverenjoyed clothes that drew attention. “I just don’t get a lot of opportunities working from home.”
“Haven’t you learned by now, Ma, that if it isn’t black, white, or some kind of neutral shade, Shannon isn’t going to be caught dead in it,” Jace put in as he leaned back against the wall and folded his arms.
“That’s not true,” I argued, annoyed by his statement even if it was admittedly correct. “Sometimes I’ll wear a red scarf.” A smile tugged at my lips. “Or purple gloves.”
My eyes met Jace’s, and he was smiling, too. A flurry of butterflies swept through me before I forced them down.
Matilda glanced between us, her bright blue eyes soft in a way that told me she was relieved we were being cordial and I wasn’t freaking out too much that Jace was there.
“Jace, will you pop upstairs and tell your dad we’re ready to go,” Matilda asked, and he nodded, leaving the room. Zara eagerly followed after him.
“Dad, wait, I’m coming with you. I want to tell Granddad about my solo.”
When they were gone, Matilda shot me a look of apology, her voice low when she spoke, “I’m so sorry I didn’t get a chance to warn you that Jace was home. He arrived this morning, and I’ve been in my workshop all day. I only found out when I checked my messages less than an hour ago.”
I placed my hand on hers. “Don’t fret about it. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Because I know how you feel about being around Jace after—”
“Really, I’m okay. Jace is Zara’s father. I’m going to have to get used to seeing him, and it isn’t fair to keep relying on you so much. It might take some getting used to having him around again, but I can handle it.”
“Well, please don’t feel like things have to change right away. We can ease into it. And you know me and Jay are happy to helpout. We love our granddaughter, but we love you, too, Shannon. You’re a part of this family. Don’t ever forget that.”
Her kind words made something seize in my chest, leaving a lump in my throat. I had to look away, blinking hard to chase the sudden emotion down. My father-in-law stepped into the room then, his warm smile distracting me as he pulled me in for a hug.
“Good to see you, Shannon,” he said, and just like when I was a scrawny, lonely little twelve-year-old, his hug let me know that I was one of the people in this world he cared about. Jace’s parents were so special in that way. They didn’t try to cut me out of the family just because I’d divorced their son.
