Page 14 of The One That Got Away

‘I’m so sorry, Miss Stella,’ he said. My stomach instantly tightened. ‘But your date is running late. He will, however, be here shortly.’

‘Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. Where are the ladies’, please?’ After finishing my drink, I was sure my lipstick needed touching up and I didn’t want to do it in public. Knowing me, he’d walk in just as I was applying it and I’d get flustered and swipe it all over my teeth.

‘Just down there on the left,’ he pointed.

‘Thanks.’ I slid off the barstool. ‘I’ll be right back.’

Once I’d touched up my make-up, I headed out of the bathroom door. As I took a few steps into the main restaurant area, Manuel rushed over to greet me.

‘Good news,Señora. Your date has arrived. He is waiting for you at the bar. He is a very handsome man. I am sure you will be very happy.’

Delighted butterflies fluttered in my stomach and as we got closer to the bar, they went into overdrive.

The guy sitting at the bar had his back to us and was wearing a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, which was already a big green flag. And he had a muscular back and arms like Hot Pool Guy. His hair was short and dark, just like his too.

Oh my God! My date was the man I saw earlier. I couldn’t believe my luck. This was brilliant!

I sent a silent prayer to God, the universe, my mum and everyone involved in making this wonderful miracle happen.

‘Señora,’ Manuel said to me as he tapped my dream man on his shoulder. ‘It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to your date.’

My heart fluttered and I smiled so wide I thought my face was going to crack.

That was until my date spun around and I saw his face.

Then my heart crashed through the ground.

I couldn’t believe it.

It may have been years, but I’d recognise that face anywhere.

The small scar just beneath his right eye that I used to kiss.

Those thick brows.

The square jaw.

Those sparkly, deep brown eyes I used to get lost in.

The ridiculously long eyelashes.

His full pink lips that I used to love roaming all over my body.

‘Stella?’ His eyes bulged.

‘Max,’ I spat.

‘You two know each other?’ Manuel frowned.Yeah, I recognised him all right.‘Did you meet earlier at the hotel?’

‘No.’ I folded my arms angrily. ‘Max is my ex. The arsehole who broke my heart.’

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.

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