Chapter Twelve
MATT
Jaci’s stunning, even more breathtaking than her photographs online.
Her face is flawless, her hair falls along the side of her face perfectly, and her figure, well, she’s awe-inspiring.
The dress she’s wearing is relatively modest but still very appealing, and she’s everything I want in the girl I’m looking for.
She’s ticked so many boxes on my list just from a simple glance.
But in a single breath, things change.
My mind wanders back…
When the waiter introduced us, her eyes went wide, and she stared while I held her gaze. Jaci smiled a little too widely when she took the flowers from me, shaking her head like she was astonished. Then she took a deep breath and chewed on her bottom lip.
“Matt, I know now why you hid your profile picture and wouldn’t send me any others…” her voice is like a fucking angel, but her words cut me like a knife as I tense up while she continues, “… you’re famous. You’re a… a rock star. You’re him, aren’t you? You’re that guy from Recoil?”
My hopes that she wouldn't know, wouldn't recognize me, were crushed the minute she saw me and became like everyone else. Jaci reached out and grabbed my hand to pull me toward the main restaurant, not even bothering to try to control her reaction to me.
“We should sit out here with everyone,” she said, and I tensed up completely while shaking my head slowly.
How could I have expected anything different?
“Um… Jaci, I’d prefer not to. I’d rather spend the night with you, just you, no interruptions.”
Her smile faltered, but she agreed, and I turned, leading her to our table, feeling like maybe we’d done this all a little too soon.
As we approached the table, Jaci’s voice bubbled over with excitement.
“I still can’t believe I’m here with you,” she gushed, her words tumbling out in a rapid stream.
“Like, Matt freaking Levine! I’ve been a fan for years.
Your music… it’s been the soundtrack to my life.
That acoustic set you did at your last concert…
chills! And when you dropped that surprise album?
Oh my God, I think I cried for a week. My friends are going to lose their minds when I tell them about this.
Well, not everything, obviously—some things are just for me, right? ”
Her laugh was bright and airy, but it barely registered. I nodded absently, letting her words wash over me while my mind lingered on the choices I’d made. The weight of disappointment hung heavily in my chest, pulling my focus away.
“I mean, honestly, how does it feel to know you’ve inspired millions of people? You’ve got fans, real fans like me, who would do anything to see you live. And now, here I am, sitting with you…”
Her voice faded as I spiraled deeper into my thoughts, going over what had just transpired, lost in my disappointment.
So I draw myself back into the present by saying, “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
She gushes. “It’s amazing to meet you. I’ve always wanted to meet a celebrity.” She laughs like she’s super excited.
I die a little more inside.
On paper, she’s perfect.
She ticks so many of my criteria.
But in person, she’s falling short.
“Can we pretend like you’re meeting Matt, the guy from , and not a celebrity?”
She winces. “Right, sorry, Matt. I’m an idiot. I guess I had no idea it was you. You never gave me any clues at all. I’m in a bit of shock here.”
I clear my throat. “I know, and I apologize for not telling you. I just thought I’d show you in person rather than give you that information in a text message, and worry that your intentions were to be with me only because of who I am, not because of the man I am. If that makes sense?”
She nods. “You’re worried I’d want to be with you for your fame only?”
I shrug. “Kinda comes with the territory of being famous, Jaci.”
She lifts her shoulder as she plays with her braid. “Well, I had no idea you were famous, and I liked you before. Now I know you’re famous, I like you even more.”
Strike one!
The waiter comes over with some bread, and I nod a simple thank you before I glance over at Alex, who’s still sans Logan.
I quickly check my watch—that ass is well and truly late.
I want to drop-kick the bastard myself.
If he’s stood her up, I won’t be happy.
“So, be honest, why does a guy like you go on a dating website?” Jaci asks, and I half-smile.
“To try to date a woman who wants me and not someone to fangirl over. Is it so bad that I want to find someone for me, not my career? I may be in a band, but that’s not who I am,” I state. It's probably a little rougher than I meant, but how can she not see that?
The fact that Logan has yet to show is only adding to my irritation with the evening.
She swallows hard, and I can’t help but notice how she tenses at my tone. “So, what, if I were to continue dating you, would you not want me to be in the spotlight with you?”
“There would be times when you’d have to be, but for the most part, I’d want you out of the spotlight. Trust me, being famous isn’t what it’s cracked up to be,” I answer her as honestly as I can while glancing over to the security team standing by the wall.
She looks up, following my gaze, and takes them in, letting out a stifled laugh.
“Those men, they’re with you?” she asks, and I nod.
She sits up taller. “I think that’s cool.
Your own personal bodyguards wherever you go.
Being in the spotlight? I’d love this life, Matt. I think you’d be great for me.”
Strike two!
And we haven’t even ordered our meals yet, for fuck’s sake.
The waiter comes over. “Your menus for tonight. Just wave your hand when you’re ready, and I’ll take your orders.”
“Thanks,” I say, and Jaci opens her menu with a grin that hasn’t left her face since we met.
“Wow! This place is fancy. Is this what it’ll be like for us, going to fancy places? Driving fast cars? Living a life of luxury?” Her smile is so wide now it’s ridiculous.
I scratch the top of my head and don’t answer because I simply don’t know how to reply.
She runs her finger down the menu, humming, then gasps. “Matt, is there a set budget for tonight? Oh, what am I saying? Of course, there’s none. You’re a massive rock star. You can afford anything on the menu, right?” she asks.
I slump my shoulders. I mean, of course, I was going to pay for her dinner, but the way she’s talking? I mean fuck! Really?
“Ah, yeah, sure, anything you want,” I answer as I glance over at Alex and her still-empty table. My chest aches for her as she looks completely lost. I want to go over there or gain her attention somehow, but Jaci throws up her hand, calling over the waiter, interrupting my thoughts.
The waiter approaches, notepad in hand, offering a polite smile.
I glance up, realizing I haven’t even opened the menu yet.
Before I can say a word, Jaci dives in, rattling off her order with confidence, like she’s been here a hundred times before.
“We’ll have a dozen oysters for appetizer…
” She pauses with a giggle. “Aphrodisiac and all.”
I grimace, glancing back at Alex when I see her stand up and start to walk out. My entire body tenses, and I fight my feelings of wanting to go to her. She must feel like crap. Her date hasn’t shown, and I’m here with Jaci ordering aphrodisiacs while Alex walks out.
I feel terrible and start to stand. “Jaci, I—”
But as I talk, the waiter walks in with someone I’m guessing is Logan, so I stall my actions.
Jaci looks at me and raises her eyebrow. “Yes?”
I clear my throat, feeling relief flood through me. “Sorry. I, ah… don’t know what I’m ordering,” I say, and she waves her hand through the air.
“Oh, never mind, I’ll order for you. I’ll have the lobster and prawn linguini, and Matt will have the steak tartare.”
“Very well,” the waiter says and walks off with the menus.
I shrug, not knowing what steak tartare is, but it has steak in the name, so that’s good enough for me.
I watch Logan walk in, ignoring Alex. He heads straight for the table and pours himself a glass of champagne. He doesn’t even offer her a glass. What a fucking asshole.
“Matt… Earth to Matt,” Jaci says, clicking her fingers in front of my face.
I blink rapidly and look back at Jaci, giving her my full attention. “Sorry, what?”
“You were a million miles away. Where did you go?”
I glance back over to their table—wishing I hadn’t—only to see Logan kissing his bicep. I gawk at him, the guy’s obviously a serious dick. She has to see that.
“Matt!”
“Shit! Yeah, I’m here.” My eyes zip back to Jaci, and I take a sip of my champagne. “How was your morning?”
“Oh, it was amazing. I spent my time being pampered and prepped for tonight. I went to the salon and got my hair and nails done. See…” Jaci thrusts her hands across the table so I can check out her red-tipped nails.
I nod and smile—they look nice, I suppose.
They’re just nails. I don’t really care about that kind of shit, but if it makes Jaci happy and keeps her looking lovely, then good for her, I suppose.
“They look great, Jaci. Actually, you look beautiful tonight.”
Her stunning eyes look up at me, sparkling in the dim mood lighting. “Thank you, that means a lot. I feel like we’ve really bonded over the short time we’ve known each other, Matt.”
“Yeah, I certainly felt a connection with you through our messages,” I say honestly.
“Well, knowing who you are now doesn’t change anything for me. Just know that. If anything, it makes everything far more exciting, more entertaining. You’re way more interesting now, Matthew Levine. A rock star is better than the humble entrepreneur you said you were.”
Strike Three!
Dammit.
Sighing, I sink into my chair.
As much as I like Jaci, it’s painfully clear my fame is more than just a novelty to her—it’s everything. On paper, she seemed perfect, the kind of match that should’ve worked. But in person, she’s managed to shatter the illusion entirely.