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“Have you read Olivia’s writing?” he says.
I tense and pause to hear how they’ll respond. This was the kind of thing I was worried about. No one speaks and I sneak a look. They look like three mice that have been caught in a trap. I want to shake them. Say something.
“She’s very gifted,” Jace continues as if someone has spoken. He really is charming and awesome. It’s probably the most uncomfortable he’s ever been too but looking at him, you wouldn’t think it. “I’ve been encouraging her to pursue it.”
I go to the kitchen completely mortified. Charlotte joins me and together we wash the dishes without speaking. It’s been a disaster and I can’t wait for Marcus and Charlotte to leave so that Jace, Chris, and I can go to the concert. I’m so glad the concert was today. I can’t bear an evening alone with Jace. I’m so embarrassed.
***
The soaring notes of the electric guitar filled the air, cascading over the crammed crowd like an ocean wave. Jace, Chris, and I have seats at the very front and every so often, Maya blows a kiss to Chris.
“I love this,” Chris shouts in my ear. He looks so hot with his shirt sleeves folded up his arms, his shirt buttons opened at the top and his hair looking so sexily untidy.
I laugh and hug him. “Me too.” I’m having a good time, the events of the past hour shoved to the back of my mind, to be reexamined later.
Jace grabs my hand and we sway to the music together. The atmosphere is electrifying. Everywhere I look, people are dancing and singing, caught up in the emotion of the moment. The energy in the room is palpable and I’m grateful to share this moment with Jace. Maybe it’ll make him forget the disaster that was dinner.
Right now, nothing else matters except Jace and me and it’s a magical moment.
The band launches into the next song. It’s a slow ballad. Maya comes back to the mic to sing it. “I want to dedicate this song to my boyfriend’s best friend, Oliva, and her sweetheart, Jace.”
I let out a scream, shocked at hearing my name reverberate around the room. Jace grins and pulls me for a hug, then we settle into the slow dance, arms wrapped tightly around each other.
The concert lasts for two hours and when the band takes a last bow, we’re sweaty and on a high. Chris takes us backstage to say hi to Maya. It’s mayhem with crew rushing around and a sea of people and bouncers standing guard in front of the dressing rooms. Chris is obviously known around here and we are shown into Maya’s dressing room. Maya is seated on the couch sipping on an energy drink. She leaps off the couch and envelopes Chris in a hug.
"Babe!" she says, her voice filled with excitement. Chris laughs and kisses her. They forget we’re here for a few minutes.
The room is filled with the smell of the energy drink that Maya was drinking, a carbonated citrus concoction that I imagine she needs after that energetic performance. There are also a few bowls of snacks, a cozy armchair, and a full-length mirror that occupies one corner of the room.
Maya steps back and comes to hug me. I introduce her to Jace.
“The Jace,” she says with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Thanks for that, it was very special,” I tell her and Jace joins in, thanking her.
"Come, sit down. I'm so glad you guys are here!"
I see why Chris is so taken with her. She’s unlike any celebrity I’ve ever met. We hang around chit-chatting and then Jace and I excuse ourselves.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Chris says and draws me in for a quick hug. “It was a pleasure to meet you, bro,” he says to Jace.
We leave the concert soon after. Outside the night is warm and still lit up with the energy of the show. People are milling around, leaning on their cars, having drinks, and chatting. Jace unlocks the car and opens the door for me.
I find myself stealing glances at Jace, his strong features illuminated by the street lamps. He catches my gaze and smiles and I feel my heart flutter.
“That was great, I really enjoyed myself,” Jace says as he follows the queue of cars leaving the venue.
"Are you angling for another free ticket?" I tease.
He grins and shrugs, but doesn’t deny it. "Hey, I had a good time."
I laugh and relax back in my seat for the ride home. I realize too late that we’re going to my apartment. Not the best idea. I’m worried that it will remind us both of the disastrous dinner we had.
I wasn’t wrong. As soon as we step in and the door bangs shut the easy, playful atmosphere changes.
"Meeting your family was interesting," Jace says, breaking the silence and addressing the elephant in the room.
I move to the window and look out even though my view is shit. I don’t know what to say. It was a disaster. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed. All I wanted was for Jace to know that he is important to me and to meet my family. Instead, I’ve made things super awkward.
