Page 57

“Come on.” Denise shocks me again by entwining our hands. “Let’s take a look around.”

I tell myself to focus, to be in the moment. It’s what I need.

“So…” Denise strikes up a conversation as we slowly browse the paintings on the wall. “Mia tells me you’re a painter…”

“Not really. I’m an actor.”

Denise glances at me. “Really?”

I smile. “She didn’t tell you that, huh?”

“No.” She frowns. “What sort of work do you do?”

Seems like when I told Mia I wanted an ordinary girl, she took it literally. Denise doesn’t even know Jack Calloway, the actor. I like that.

“I’m sorry,” she says softly, taking my hesitation the wrong way. “We’re a small town, and I don’t watch movies or use social media apps. I mostly paint, or you’ll find me working in the orphanage in town.”

She seems like a wonderful person, but I fight back a yawn. As the day wears on, I find myself further removed from the date. Denise is nice, but she doesn’t hold my interest, and it’s getting increasingly harder to pretend.

Almost three hours later, just before we go out to grab lunch from one of the food stands outside, Denise stops by another painting. It’s a beautiful representation of a Koi fish.

As Denise explains why it’s one of the most beautiful paintings she’s ever seen, I think to myself how this would make a great gift for Mia. At this moment, I can’t take it anymore.

“Denise.” I cut her short. “I’m so sorry, my head is banging.”

“Oh.” She blinks repeatedly and then smiles. “We have a medic outside. I can?—”

“No,” I answer hastily. Too hastily. “I really should go. I probably just need a nap.”

Hurt flashes in her eyes, and I feel a truckload of guilt, but it’s nothing compared to the relief that flows when she nods and says, “Okay.”

“Thanks. This was wonderful, I promise. Thanks for showing me around.” Before she can respond, I hightail it out of there.

As I step outside and head to my car, I try not to think about the awkwardness of the night. I tried to enjoy myself, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about her—about Mia.

I drive toward town, the thought of stopping by Mia’s flower shop popping into my head. I want to see her. I want to talk to her. At this point, we need a conversation. It’s time she stops running.

I Google the directions to Mia’s flower shop and in a few more minutes, I’m parking my car in front of the large store. It’s a beautiful space, and it shows exactly how successful Mia is. I park and walk to the door, taking in the ambiance around me.

To my left, a bakery with a hand-painted sign fills the air with the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls and croissants. The scent makes my stomach growl. On the right, a small souvenir shop with colorful trinkets sits at the corner, its door creaking softly as people come and go. I take in the beauty around me, telling myself to come out more. There’s a lot to explore in this small town.

When I reach the shop, I hesitate for a moment, my hand on the door handle. I feel like I’m walking into unknown territory. What if she’s upset to see me? What if she asks me to leave? What if she insists that she’s not ready for a conversation?

Before I can talk myself into leaving, I open the door anyway. The bell jingles as I step inside, and I’m greeted by the comforting, familiar scent of fresh flowers.

And then, I see her.

She’s seated in the back, with Ryan across from her. I can’t tell her facial expression because she has her back to me, but judgingfrom the little smile on Ryan’s face, they’re having a little cozy moment.

What exactly is this? Fury bubbles inside of me.

Ryan sees me first, and his answering smile causes Mia to turn her head and catch sight of me. She rushes to her feet, eyes wide.

“Jack? What are you doing here?” she asks.

I force myself to take a step forward, my voice coming out more strained than I intend. “I just came to update you on the date. You know, the one you planned.”

Mia’s eyes flicker, but she doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, she glances at Ryan, who’s still got that stupid grin on his face. I can feel the annoyance rising in my chest.