Page 28 of The One That Got Away

‘I’ll leave you to get on with your Love Task. Do you know what songs you’re going to choose yet for your playlist?’

‘I have an idea…’

‘Great! Have fun and speak soon.’

‘Love you.’

‘Love you too.’

I hung up feeling a little better.

There was a manual on the table so I got up to get it. Inside were instructions for the playlist. Although I was exhausted and wanted to have a nap before dinner, I decided it was best to get this out of the way first.

I’ll admit: Max did a kind thing today and I was grateful for his help. But that didn’t mean I forgave him. And Jasmine said that the first playlist was about our first impressions yesterday, right? Just like that a flurry of song ideas flew into my head.

As I launched Spotify and clicked on my first choice, I turned up the volume and danced around the room.

I couldn’t wait to see Max’s face when he heard what I’d picked.

13

MAX

As I stepped into the restaurant for breakfast, I scanned the room. There was no sign of Stella and as bad as it sounded, I was kind of relieved.

She hadn’t shown up for dinner last night either. Or maybe she did, but managed to avoid me. The last thing I needed was to sit with someone who hated my guts.

If I had any doubts about her feelings towards me before, they were definitely confirmed when I listened to her playlist.

The opening track was ‘Dickhead’ by Kate Nash. That was followed by ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ by Taylor Swift, ‘Walk Away’ by Kelly Clarkson, ‘Silly Boy’ by Rihanna with Lady Gaga, and that angry ‘You Oughta Know’ Alanis Morissette song.

Even though Jasmine said we only had to include five songs, Stella clearly thought I deserved three bonus tracks so she’d added OneRepublic’s ‘Apologize’, Dua Lipa’s ‘IDGAF’ and finished with ‘Bye, Bye, Bye’ from *NSYNC.

It could’ve been worse, I supposed. At least she hadn’t included ‘Eat Shit and Die’ by Paloma Faith.

But she’d succeeded in communicating her feelings. She didn’t like me. Message received loud and clear.

My playlist was more apologetic, but I doubted she’d even listened to it.

I sat at the table and ordered an egg-white omelette and a coffee. As the waiter walked away, I glanced at the door again.

Speak of the devil.

Stella breezed into the room and I swallowed hard.

Fuck. She looked good.

Her hair was tied up into a ponytail and she was wearing a white sleeveless top that showed off her incredible shoulders and clung to her chest. And that bright yellow skirt accentuated her toned thighs and perfect legs.

I was trying really hard not to let her affect me, but it was difficult. Despite the bad blood between us, I was attracted to her. I had to find a way to get that under control.

I dropped my gaze to the table and pretended to scroll on my phone. I hoped she wouldn’t see me. Or if she did, that she’d have the sense to ignore me and find her own table.

Those hopes went out the window when I heard the sound of the chair opposite me being scraped across the floor.

‘Before you get any ideas that I’m sitting with you by choice, the restaurant’s fully booked this morning. That’s the only reason I’m here.’

‘Don’t worry.’ I looked up at her, instantly wishing I hadn’t when I saw that she looked even prettier up close. ‘I know you wouldn’t choose to live on the same continent as me, never mind eat with me. You made that clear by not coming to dinner last night. Oh and of course with yourlovelyplaylist.’

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