Page 43 of Set the Moment
Georgia must sense my worriedness as we make brief eye contact, because she immediately saves the day. Pulling Cleo into her side, she walks the two of them out.
“I think Si Si has plans tonight, but we can watch…” Her voice trails off as they leave, and I let out a deep sigh.
“Thank God…”
It doesn’t take long for me to get ready, seeing as I took a shower when I got home from the gym earlier today. Styling my curls is easier than ever, I add a little curling gel to ensure they don’t frizz. I throw on a lavender two-piece short set and a jean jacket. In less than five minutes, I’m dressed and ready for whatever Jace has planned. This time, when my phone dings, I don’t check it. I know it’s him.
Jace stands outside his car, leaning against the hood of it. The perfect picture of sin. Today, he reminds me of a model for a coastal magazine. His fluffy, blond hair is free and messy in the way that men always perfectly achieve. He’s dressed in jeans and a vintage, navy blue crewneck. My mouth waters from the sight of him and the small chain on his neck.
My goodness.
He smiles at me, and I swear something in my chest shifts. My palms dampen as I chew my bottom lip while approaching him.
Why am I so nervous all of a sudden? He’s a guy…one who I grew up with. One who I’ve kissed more than once…so why do I feel like a giddy school girl? “So, what are we—Oh!” My brows shoot to my hairline as he pulls a bouquet of orange Stargazer Lilies from behind his back, a cheeky grin on his face as he holds them out to me.
“M’lady,” he says, bowing his head slightly.
Th-Thump! Th-Thump!
Shut up, heart…Now is not the time.
“Wh-What are these for?” I cringe internally as my own question rings through my ears.
They’re flowers, Sienna…What do you think they’re for?
Jace doesn’t mind, though. He simply chuckles at me, placing the flowers in my clammy hands.
“You like lilies, right?”
Hesitantly, I nod. My eyes trail over the intricate flowers, my fingers dusting the velvety petals.
“That’swhat they’re for…Now get in, we have a list to complete.”
fifteen
Jace
Iguessit’ssafeto say that the music gene that ran in the Jones family for the past sixty-five years, died with Sienna Jones.
Standing inside of Mulligan’s, a coffee shop-bar duo, wincing as Sienna tries her own rendition of her grandmother's hit song,Twilight, was not how I expected tonight to go.
As Sienna hits her second high note of the night and the patrons of the bar wince, I clap, cheering for the tone-deaf woman.
“Woo! That’s my girl!” I shout, pumping a fist in the air while my brain battles with the urge to explode from her horrible singing.
I’m pretty sure a run-over hyena could produce better vocals than her, but I digress.
On the small wooden stage, standing under a lone spotlight, is a girl who is allowing herself to be free. I won’t stand in the way of Sienna’s happiness. Not now, not ever.
She giggles as her voice cracks and shakes her hips off beat to the melody she’d concocted on her own fruition.
My brows raise, amusement littering my body as she somehow nails one note before failing every single one afterwards.
It’s an art, truly.
But when Sienna bows, happy with herself, smiling brightly…I can’t help but to do the same.
If she has no fans, then I am dead because in a fraction of a heartbeat, I’m standing. My smile is bright and proud of her as I clap for the pink-haired singing “aficionado.”
