Cristina gasps.
My gaze tracks hers to the door. Just inside it stands a man with trimmed dark hair, tight jeans, a button-down shirt, and a swagger that’s either from false confidence or more cockiness than is legal to own.
In this case, it’s false confidence—just my humble opinion.
“What’s Jace doing here?” Cristina says in a hushed voice.
“Hmm. Maybe he’ll go away in five minutes, once he sees all the people.”
“Maybe.”
He walks up to the bar. Isaac takes his drink order and then turns and spots Cristina. He gives her a look that silently asks if she’s okay, and Cristina nods.
Jace then spots his ex and his jaw tightens. He takes the beer Isaac slides in front of him and swaggers over to us.
The only thing that would be worse right now was if Luke Preston showed up. He works at the bank and is just the worst human being ever.
I nudge her with my shoe. “You don’t have to talk to him.”
“It’s fine. I can do this.”
“Before you go all sad-eyes on me, let me remind you what he said: That man, who you think is handsome, said you could be hisfirstwife. Not hisonlywife. His first one. Meaning he never planned for anything serious to happen between y’all. Once again I ask, can you be strong?”
Cristina lifts her head. Her chin wobbles for a moment before she grits her teeth. “I can be strong.”
Jace reaches the table, takes a pull of his beer, and swipes the back of his arm across his mouth. “Hey, Cristina. Coco.”
“Hey,” she says.
I don’t answer. Jace is a bottom-feeder, the worst of the worst. He stands there, shifting uncomfortably, most likely waiting for an invitation to sit.
Cristina starts, “Jace would you like to—”
I kick the chair closest to us so that it falls over. When Jace reaches to right it, I drop my heels on top, turning the chair into a footstool.
Oops! There goes Cristina’s chance to ask if he wants to take a seat.What is wrong with her?
“What brings you to Sparkle Bar?” I ask.
He casually glances over his shoulder. “Just meeting some friends.” He points to the balloons and lights. “What’s the party about?”
“Coco got engaged.”
His eyes widen. “You did? That’s great. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“What do you want, Jace?” I snap. It’s none of his business who I’m fake-engaged to.
“Wanted to say hey.”
“Hey.”
There’s a long, uncomfortable pause, and then Jace gives us a nod. “See ya.”
He turns and walks off. Soon as he’s out of earshot, Cristina smacks my arm. “You didn’t have to be rude.”
“Yes, I did.” Cristina watches him go, and I run a finger over the rim of my glass. “He wasn’t good for you. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”
“I know.”
