Chapter 34
Jake
I watch her move around the room, laughing and engaging with everyone except me. Since she walked away from me at the square, it’s as if I don’t exist; I’m completely invisible and painfully ignored. I don’t know what I expected by just showing up unannounced, but it was certainly not this.
The image of her arms wrapped around his waist, and the way her eyes narrow when they met mine, still haunts me.
Each time that she smiles, my heart sinks a little lower. The memory of her words, “You shouldn’t have come,” and “There was nothing to move on from. We were just having fun, right?” reverberates through me like cold water. But I know the connection we felt wasn’t just a fragment of my imagination.
Yet, seeing her now, it is as if no time has passed, except she is more beautiful than ever. Her curls frame her face beautifully. Her smile, bright and seemingly carefree, lights up her entire face, reaching those deep brown eyes that have always drawn me in—a gaze I find myself helplessly searching for, even now.
My heart races as if struck by lightning, surging painfully through my veins every time her eyes accidentally meet mine. Our hearts are still beating in sync despite the distance she puts between us. Every nerve of my body is acutely aware of her, as if my soul has always recognized hers.
I’m so absorbed in watching her, I barely hear Alex talking next to me. It feels distant, muffled by the thunderous beating of my heart.
“Are you even listening to me?” Alex’s irritation snaps me back to reality, his tone sharp.
“You said something about the menu.” I say, still caught in her orbit.
“I was saying I like the name of the drinks.” He laughs, but his amusement doesn’t reach me. I’m too ensnared by my turmoil.
“Yes, they’re brilliant,”I say, though my gaze drifts back to Mia, admiring her from afar yet aching from the proximity.
“So, what did you two talk about?” He leans in closer.
“Nothing, except that she’s not happy to see me.” The words are heavy with a mix of resignation and a lingering hope.
Alex frowns. “I’m guessing it didn’t go well?”
Well, you ’d guess right.
“I guess I’m a little too late,” I sigh, the weight of my realization pressing down on my shoulders, bending me inward.
“What are you talking about?” Sarah, overhearing our exchange, interjects, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“Her and that French guy over there,” I say, nodding subtly towards Luc, as the green monster of jealousy claws its way into my tone.
“Luc? They’re just friends,” she chuckles, clearly seeing the jealousy written all over my face. Maybe they are just friends, but the way he watches her says more—at least to me. But maybe, just maybe, I still have a chance. If only I could find the right words, the right moment to show her that what we had was real and worth another shot.
Maybe this time, I won’t let fear hold me back.
She is finally standing alone, absorbed in her phone. Maybe to avoid looking at me. The soft opening of her café has been an amazing success, and I’m so proud of her.
People’s been raving about the menu and the aesthetic of the place all morning. With most of the guests gone, and no sign of Mr. French, I seize the moment.
I make my way towards her. My heart’s racing a mile per second like driving in the fast lane. She’s the only woman who makes me nervous by just being in the same room. I used to be good at hiding it, but right now it’s a struggle. A lightning in my chest the closer I get.
“Hey,” I clear my throat and wipe my sweat palms on my pants
She looks up, a complex expression crosses her face. And my heart short circuits. She’s so gorgeous. For a moment, her guard seems to drop, and the raw emotions I’ve always loved about her flicker across her features before she quickly masks them again.
“Before you say anything, I want to congratulate you. The place is amazing,” I say, pausing as I notice her eyes soften just a touch. “I’m really proud of you.” My heart swells with so much admiration. “I’m sorry for showing up like this and possibly running your big day.”
She says nothing, and I’m about to turn away when her voice stops me. “You didn’t ruin it, and… it was nice of you to come.” Her words catch me off guard, and for a moment we simply hold each other's gaze.
An enthusiastic voice abruptly shattered our moment. “OMG girl, this has been amazing.” A tall black woman approaches, her presence commanding. She eyes me skeptically.
“You must be Mr. Hot and Asshole,” she says, and I glance around, momentarily confused, before I realize she’s talking to me.
“Wait, Mr. What ?” I laugh, thrown off by the blunt words.
Mia’s laughter hits me like a brick, and I can’t move. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now. I don’t know what is happening, but my stomach is doing many flips.
“I used to call you that,” Mia says with a grin.
“I’ll take Mr. Hot, without the asshole,” I laugh.
“And you must be Rylee,” I say, holding her stare and giving her a handshake.
Here comes Mr. French inserting himself into our interaction with an ease that grates on me. “Allons-y,” he says, locking eyes with Mia, and I know just enough French to understand.“ And do you girls need a ride?” he switches to English, turning his attention to Sarah and Rylee with a charming smile, and his perfect accent. “Y’all staying at the vineyard, right?” He adds folding his arms casually as he leans against the counter, looking relaxed and at home.
“Yes, we’re staying at the cottage,” Rylee says, her smile broad and unmistakably friendly as she looks up at him. A kind of smile that was absent when she looked at me earlier, and the difference stings more than I’d like to admit.
I watch the interaction, a tightness forming in my chest. Luc is undeniably good-looking, a fact that’s clear to anyone with eyes, and yes, he’s taller than me, and I’m 6 feet 2 inches. I cross my arms, looking cool and all, but I can feel my jaw clenches.
It’s annoying the way he stands there, confident and assured, and a part of me wants to find fault with him, to diminish his presence in any small way. It’s clear he’s inserted himself into Mia’s life in ways I can no longer claim, and as much as I hate to admit it, his presence here is both wanted and welcomed by everyone but me.
“Where are you staying?” Sarah tilts her head to look at me.
“I booked a room at one of the boutique hotels nearby,” I say, my gazes inadvertently following Luc as he stands a little too close to Mia for my liking.
“So, Mia’s grandmother has a cottage reserved for us, all three of us.” Alex points towards Rylee and Sarah. “Can I stay with you instead?” His eyes almost pleading. “Save me from this,” he points between Sarah and Rylee.
“Sure, you can stay with me.” I booked a suite and there’s a separate pull out bed. “I’ll call an Uber.”
We all walk outside, and Mia locks the door before they follow Luc to his car.
“After you,” Luc says, opening the door for Mia, then for the girls.
“Merci,” they both say, giggling, like they have never seen a good looking French man before. For God sake . I resist the urge to roll my eyes, which reminds me of Mia of when she used to roll her eyes at me.
I loved that.
I watch as he pulls away, taking her with him. My eyes follow the car until it fades into the distance. The silence stretches between Alex and me as we wait for our ride.
“You’re coming to her party later, right?” He breaks the silence while his eyes watch my reaction.
“I don’t think she wants me there. Maybe it was a mistake coming here.” The words taste bitter in my mouth as I shove my hands in my pockets. My gaze drops to the ground.
“So, you’re just gonna give up?” He leans against the wall, crossing his foot over the other.
“I don’t know, man. I had my chance and I think I ruined it.” My chest tightens, making it difficult to breathe. I shuffle my feet, and force air into my lungs. Every muscle in my body hurts.
“You don’t know that.” He pats my shoulder. “Talk to her, tell her how you feel. You’re not the one to back down from a challenge, right?” He gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I think she’s worth it, man.”
His words bring back memories of mine and Mia’s last night together. I hope you find someone worth falling for. She did not know that she was and always has been that someone for me.
The driver pulls up, and we load bags into the back seat before climbing into the car. As we settle in, I pull out the necklace from inside my long sleeve shirt, and rub it between my fingers thoughtfully.
Maybe there’s still a chance for us.