This was worse than being yelled at. This was purely business. He searched—actively looked—and couldn’t see any of the emotional torment he was currently feeling in her face.
She was still kind of mad about the way he’d ended things. That much was clear.
But what was also becoming clear was that she’d gotten over their relationship in a way that he never had.
She hadn’t summoned him here for anything personal. Not even a fight.
She only wanted to do business.
The knowledge lodged like a lump in his throat, and he had to cough to clear it before he could get any words out. “What kind of offer?”
“We’re working on that. We wouldn’t cheat you. I hope you know that. And we know you have to do what’s best for you. But I hope you’ll give us a chance to think of something that might be in the best interests of Azalea too.”
He nodded jerkily. “Yeah. Sure. Of course. I won’t accept any offers until I hear from you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She was smiling again, but it wasn’t the smile he remembered. She seemed cooler than she used to be—not brimming with warmth and life and humor and generosity. It had always seemed like she was filled with so many good things that they simply spilled out of her.
They weren’t spilling now. Maybe she’d changed. Or more likely she just didn’t want to share her good things with him anymore.
He deserved it.
He was the one who had left.
“Of course. No problem.” So far, in this conversation, he hadn’t managed to speak a sentence of more than four words. He wished he could be as cool as she was. Even if it would be an act, at least maybe he could convince her that he’d gotten over her the way she had him. “So how have things been going for you?”
That was better. A longish sentence in a fairly natural voice.
“Good.” She was smiling again. Cool and far too distant. “Really good. Second Chance Flower Shop has been amazingly successful. I really can’t believe it. It’s a miracle.”
“It’s not a miracle though, is it? It’s because you’re smart and talented.”
She gave him a half shrug. “Maybe. But a lot of people are smart and talented and don’t find success. It’s luck as much as anything else. Plus Skye is really good on social media.”
“Yeah. I guess. But it’s got to be more you than anyone else.”
“It’s not.” She was frowning now even though he’d intended the comment as a compliment. “Madeline and Skye are just as important to the business as I am.”
He was about to respond—try to take back the idea that had evidently offended her—but the chime on the door sounded just then.
They both turned to look.
Jacob knew the man who entered. Billy something. He’d been a couple of years before them in school. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, and he was smiling as he came in.
Smiling at Ria. Jacob wasn’t going to be confused about that detail.
“Hey, Billy,” Ria said, smiling in response. Her smile looked more like herself now. Sincere. Spilling over with good things.
Jacob experienced an immediate and uncontrollable surge of resentment.
Why did Billy get that smile from her when he didn’t?
“Hey, I’m not interrupting, am I?” For the first time, Billy glanced over at Jacob, as if he’d just realized he was there.
“No, not at all. You remember Jacob Worth?”
Billy’s eyebrows drew together. “Yeah. I think so. Good to see you.” Then he turned back to Ria, who was obviously his main point of interest here. “Hey, are you free on Saturday night?”
Jacob blinked. Did Billy not remember that he and Ria dated for years in high school? Or did he simply not care if it was awkward to ask her when Jacob was standing right there listening?
If Ria felt awkward, she didn’t show it. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t... I don’t think so.”
“Please say you’re free. We’ve got a church picnic and concert thing, and I desperately need someone to go with me.”
“Oh.” Ria glanced briefly from Billy to Jacob and then back. “I think I’m free.”
“Perfect. So you’ll go with me?”
“Uh. Sure.” She gave Jacob another quick flick of her eyes, and he had absolutely no idea what she was thinking. “Why not?”
“Fantastic. I’ll pick you up about six?”
“I’ll be ready. Thanks.”
To Jacob’s relief, Billy made a quick exit.
If he hadn’t, Jacob would have been tempted to give him a good, hard punch.
What the hell?
When did it become standard practice to ask someone out right in front of their ex? Even if there were no lingering feelings, it was just rude.
And why would Ria be going out with Billy anyway? He wasn’t her type. At all. He was friendly enough but shallow. Not smart enough or deep enough for her.
She’d never be happy with him.
Jacob needed to rein in the sudden flood of feelings—jealousy being the primary one—before Ria could see it in the tension of his body. He purposefully loosened his fingers from the fists he’d been clenching. He breathed deeply a few times.
It was fine.
It was just a date to a church picnic.
Ria wasn’t going to fall in love with Billy. Get married. Have kids. Fall forever out of his reach—even in his daydreams, which was all he had left of her now.
“Sorry about that,” Ria said after the door closed behind Billy. “Kind of weird for him to do that when you were standing right there.”
“It’s fine.” Jacob managed to shrug. “He probably didn’t even remember that we were... a thing. Way back when.” He hated the sound of his own words. How dismissive they were. As if she hadn’t been the best thing that had ever happened in his life.
“Yeah. Probably not. Anyway, thanks for considering us for any offers. We’re working on a few things. And if you decide you want to hang on to the property, that would be great too.”
Jacob took a deep breath.
