Chapter 5: JACE

I got home and I couldn’t stop smiling. I have a date with a beautiful girl tomorrow and I’m so excited. I don’t think I’ll be able to go to sleep. I shot River a text and told her I was picking her up tomorrow for a date.

I’ve got so many plans for tomorrow so I shower and lay down, I fell asleep faster than I thought I would. I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, it’s my publisher and best friend, Zachariah. “Z, it is 4 in the morning, why are you calling me?”

“J, buddy, I just got you an offer for $25,000. For the painting of the blonde woman.”

“Seriously? It was posted for $3,000, why so much?”

“There was a literal bidding war for it. It was the most wanted piece here. So I need your signature ASAP, so we can get the ball rolling.”

“I’ll come by Sunday to sign them. I have a date tomorrow.” I said with a huge smile.

“J, that’s awesome, who is the girl brave enough to put up with you?”

“Her name is River, she an American girl and she is absolutely amazing. I really think my dad would have loved her. Is it crazy to think that she might be the one?”

“THE ONE!? J, you just met this girl, she couldn’t possibly be the one.”

“Have you ever just looked at someone and just knew that they were going to be in your life for the rest of your life? Have you ever just knew that you wouldn’t be able to go a single day for that point forward never seeing them, or hearing them laugh, or say your name?” I sighed. “As soon as I heard her voice, I knew I would never get tired of hearing it. I wouldn’t be able to go a single day never hearing it again. And her smile, it just makes everything better. Like her very existence is what I’ve been living for.”

“Wow, I’ve never heard you talk like this about anyone. You know, I’m going to have to meet her now that you’re in looove” he says, and I can literally picture myself smacking him for being a complete ass.

“Yes, you’ll get to meet her, but I’m keeping her to myself for awhile first.” I stated. “I’m going to go now, I can get a least 2 more hours of sleep before I have to pick her up. Goodbye, Z.”

“Goodbye, loverb…” I hang up before he can be an ass some more. God, I love the man like a brother but he really drives me nuts.

I wake up, fully rested and really excited about spending the day with her. I walk to my closet and slightly panic because I want to wear something that will… show I put effort into this. I pull out a white button up shirt, and a grey suit jacket. I pull out black slacks and my black dress shoes. I lay the clothes on the bed and walk into the bathroom. I brush my teeth, I grab my comb and run it through my hair. I make a mental note to schedule a haircut, it’s getting a big long. I dab on some cologne and smile at myself. I haven’t been on a date in a really long time. I focus mostly on my art, I never have a free time. But something about River makes me want to free my entire life so I can be near her forever.

I walk back into the bedroom and finish getting ready. It’s only 8 am, so I have plenty of time to go get us coffee and so I can talk to Shirley before I go get River. Shirley gives the best pep talks and I’m starting to feel my nerves. I just want everything to be perfect.

I walk into the café, and the smell of coffee puts a little pep in my step. “Good morning, Jace. How was your night?” Shirley asks with a sly grin.

“My night was wonderful, thank you for asking”

“What did you do all night?”

“I spent time getting to know River. She’s amazing Shirley.” I say with a huge smile “ I asked her on a date for today, and she said yes! She actually said yes!”

Shirley’s face lights up, and I swear I’ve never seen her this happy before, “ that is absolutely wonderful, I’m so happy for you Jace. I think she is going to be so good for you.”

“Alright, I need my usual and a small black coffee, to go, please.”

“Already on it, my boy, I hope you have a fantastic date!” After grabbing our coffees and two chocolate croissants, I walk out of the café. I don’t know how Shirley does it, but I’ve forgotten all about my nerves. She’s a witch. She has to be a witch.

I finally make it to Rivers hotel, and I’m about to get on the elevator when my phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Jace.” Comes a voice I know all too well.

“Carmen, what do you want?” Carmen is my on-again-off-again ex girlfriend, that I WISH would leave me alone. She was never good for me. And it took me a long time to realize how awful of a person she is. After, our last breakup I finally put an end to that chapter of my life. And that was over a year ago.

“Oh, Jace baby, don’t be like that. I miss you. Come over?”

“No, Carmen. I’m seeing someone. I have to go now.”

“Jace, you better not hang up on me!” She practically screams through the phone. And that’s exactly what I did. I hung up.

I finally finish my journey to River. But now my nerves are back and I’m pacing in front of her door like some weirdo.

I knock on the door, and I come face to face, with the most beautiful sight. Her beautiful eyes, her plump lips. Her dark hair curled. She’s in a burgundy dress, with black stockings. I just want to kiss her.

“Hi, Jace.” She says shyly while moving her hair behind her ear.

“You’re breathtaking.” I whisper.