Chapter 6
6
MAX
‘Fuck.’ I dragged my hand down my face.
I couldn’t believe I’d flown all the way to Spain to meet my perfect woman and they’d matched me with my ex.
This was a nightmare.
I should’ve worn a stab-proof vest instead of this shirt, because Stella was looking at me like she wanted to plunge a knife into my chest.
And I couldn’t blame her. The way things ended between us was… messy .
‘I need to see a manager!’ Stella shouted. ‘Or My Love Alchemist lady, Jasmine. I’m not going on a date with him . No way!’
The restaurant fell silent and the other guests’ heads whipped in our direction.
‘I… um, of course. Se?ora , por favor , please follow me.’
As the ma?tre d’ led Stella away she gave me a look so dirty, a million gallons of bleach couldn’t wash it away.
Yep, she hated me.
Looked like I’d be getting my wish to go home early. But they at least owed me a refund.
This hotel was supposed to be run by a reputable company who employed the world’s best matchmaking experts. But I was starting to question their skills. Who set two exes up together? I’d say it was a joke, but it wasn’t remotely funny.
I needed air. I strode towards the door and stepped outside. The hot, sticky heat seared my skin. Even though it was past nine, it was still thirty degrees.
I crashed onto the outdoor sofa and put my head in my hands. My mind raced. What a shit show.
I’d thought about Stella a lot over the years, wondering how she was, whether she’d met someone and if she looked the same.
Tonight two questions were answered: she was single and I didn’t think it was possible, but Stella was even hotter now than when we dated.
Although she was wearing a long dress with just her arms, shoulders and neckline on show, she looked sexy as hell. Her light brown skin glowed, her pretty dark brown eyes sparkled and her hair was shorter than before, but she still had those gorgeous curls that I loved.
And even though she’d scowled at me the whole time, I found my gaze fixed to her lips for longer than was appropriate. I’d always loved kissing that mouth.
On the way here, I’d worried whether I’d find my date attractive. Now I knew that wasn’t an issue. But if someone asked Stella whether she was attracted to me, I could guarantee that the feeling would not be mutual.
Thoughts of how things ended between us flooded into my mind.
Shit, shit, shit.
If all the stuff that happened in the past wasn’t bad enough, I was late for our date. And I knew Stella hated when people weren’t on time. But I had to help that lady. I hoped reception had passed on the message explaining why. That was the least of my worries right now, though.
I reached into my pocket for my phone and dialled Colton.
‘Hey! You on your way to your date now? Wait.’ He paused. ‘No. It’s past nine over there and your date was at nine, so… what’s up? Did something happen?’
‘It’s a fucking disaster.’
‘I’m sure you’re exaggerating. Did she have two heads? Even if she did, it’s no bad thing. That means two sets of lips and double the kisses, right?’ He laughed. I didn’t.
‘You know earlier you joked about every woman liking me?’
‘Yeah. It’s true.’
‘I knew it wasn’t true before, but now it’s confirmed. My date definitely doesn’t fancy me. I’d bet my life on it.’
‘Impossible! Who is this anomaly?’
‘They matched me with Stella.’
‘Who’s Stella?’
‘Stella Matthews .’
The phone went silent.
‘Babe,’ he called out to Natalie. ‘I need to take this call upstairs.’
The sound of his footsteps echoed through the phone. I heard a door open then close again.
‘You still there?’
‘Yeah, I’m just… trying to take it all in. They matched you with Stella ? Shit, man. This is bad .’
‘I know.’
‘ Very, very bad . You were not good to her towards the end.’
‘I know. I wasn’t nice to anyone back then.’
‘Yeah. Even I hated you. But you had your reasons. And eventually, I understood. Maybe Stella will too. ’
‘Doubtful. It took me months to win back your friendship. This holiday is only for two weeks. And she won’t even talk to me.’
‘I’m not gonna lie. I wouldn’t blame her. You’ve got your work cut out to bring her round. And I don’t rate your chances…’ Wow. If Mr Optimistic, glass half full didn’t think I had any hope, then it was even worse than I thought. ‘But there’s still a chance. Even if it’s one in a billion, it’s still a chance, so you have to try.’
‘I don’t know, man.’
‘Remember, you promised Betty that you’d see this challenge through ’til the end.’
‘But this is the end. There’s nothing I can do if she won’t talk to me.’
‘ Try . Until you’ve attempted multiple times and Stella has categorically refused and left the resort, it’s not the end. Find her and try to talk to her. Even if she doesn’t want to date you, you at least owe her an explanation. Give her a better ending than you did before.’
He was right.
And that was all that I could ask for.
One conversation.
My chest tightened. I was dreading it, but it had to be done.
If only I had some body armour.
Something told me I was gonna need it.