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“SINCE YOU WERE SO DOWN yesterday, I have a surprise for you!” Henry declared, joining Ciara in the living room.
Ciara looked up, raising an eyebrow in question. “A surprise?”
Henry sighed, crossing his arms. “Could you at least try to act like you’re excited? Or even mildly interested?”
“I don’t know anything about the surprise. I can’t be excited about something I know nothing about,” Ciara pointed out.
“Alright, fine.” A grin appeared on Henry’s face. “Jenna and Mia are coming over.”
Ciara’s frown turned into a smile. “That sounds like a great surprise.”
“There’s also another surprise coming.”
“Another surprise?”
“You can thank Mia for that.”
Ciara’s eyes widened at hearing Mia’s name. “Please, tell me it’s nothing bad.”
“I don’t know what it is.”
Ciara groaned, covering her face with her hands. “So, it is bad.”
“We’ll see.”
“When are they coming over?”
“Any minute now.”
Ciara looked down, checking her outfit. Jeans and a top. At least she didn’t have to rush to change.
Mia’s surprise was a mystery, but Ciara had multiple worst-case scenarios running through her mind. She knew how Mia could be.
Long minutes passed before someone finally knocked at the door. Henry jumped up and rushed to open it.
As expected, it was Jenna and Mia. Jenna’s face lit up upon seeing Henry, and even more so when he pulled her into a loving embrace.
Mia smiled at the couple. Ciara stood up from the sofa and couldn’t help but smile, too. They were so cute together.
“Hi,” Ciara said to her friends when Henry and Jenna let go of one another.
Mia rushed to hug Ciara with a wide smile on her face. “It’s so great to see you.”
“Exactly what she said,” Jenna said. She hugged Ciara right after Mia stepped back.
“It’s great to see you both.”
Mia laughed. “You’ll change your mind soon.”
Ciara turned to look at her, raising her eyebrows. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You two are going speed dating.” Jenna moved to stand beside Henry who snaked his arm around Jenna’s waist.
Ciara stared at Jenna with her mouth open. Then she turned to face Mia. “Speed dating?”
She had never tried speed dating. Hadn’t even considered it.
She hadn’t dated anyone after Theo. His death still plagued her mind. She wasn’t ready to move on, and there was no way she would seek comfort in another man’s arms.
She still loved Theo. Moving on was hard enough. She wouldn’t be able to move on to another relationship anytime soon.
“Unless you’re still mour—”
“No, it’s not that,” Ciara said, cutting Jenna off.
Except it was. Although speed dating didn’t mean she was off to marry a new guy, she wasn’t ready.
But if she said that out loud, Henry would worry.
“Wonderful!” Mia grinned. “I don’t want to go alone, and you’re the only single friend I have.”
Ciara grimaced. “The only one? Really?”
Mia nodded, but it wasn’t enough to convince Ciara.
“B-but I don’t have anything to wear,” Ciara said, despite knowing excuses were useless with Mia.
“We’re going shopping,” Mia said and grinned from ear to ear. “The speed dating event starts at seven, so we have time to find the perfect outfits, get our hair and makeup done and get there.”
Ciara looked at Mia with a baffled expression on her face. “I can’t believe I’m being forced to go speed dating.”
Mia laughed. “It’ll be fun!”
“You’ve tried speed dating before?” Ciara asked.
“She hasn’t,” Jenna said, answering for Mia.
“But I trust it’ll be fun,” Mia said, still smiling.
Ciara wasn’t so sure. Biting her lip, she said, “Let’s hope so.”
***
JENNA JOINED CIARA and Mia for the shopping part. After that, she would head back to Henry’s flat. Then Ciara would be left at Mia’s mercy.
Ciara couldn’t believe what she had got herself into. Trying on new outfits in a fitting room felt stupid—pointless. Trying one dress after another was silly.
She should have been out there trying to find the witch hunters. They were still wreaking havoc across Great Britain and they needed to be stopped. Ciara still hadn’t avenged Theo’s death.
She couldn’t believe she was going to a speed dating event. For once, she should have known how to say no.
She suggested quitting, but Mia and Jenna were having none of it.
It took the trio an hour longer than expected until they found outfits for Ciara and Mia. Mia had a flowery summer dress and stylish trainers, complementing her personality.
Ciara didn’t want to go too overboard. She ended up with beige trousers, a tight top, and some heels. Simple, but at least she looked as though she had put some thought into it.
After clothes it was time for the makeup and hair. Jenna walked Mia and Ciara to the salon, but then she left.
While the hairdressers and makeup artists were working on Mia’s and Ciara’s makeup and hair, they had time to catch up while still talking with the lovely ladies at the salon. Ciara had nearly forgotten how fun hanging out with Mia could be. For a moment, she even forgot to think about the witch hunters and her revenge.
Once the work was finished, Ciara had some lip gloss and dark eye makeup. For her hair, she had a high ponytail. She looked quite beautiful—in her own opinion, too.
Mia had warm eye makeup with bright coral lipstick to match her new dress. Her hair was curled to complement her flowery look.
By six o’clock, it was time to head to the event. Both women looked beautiful, and even Ciara was warming up to the idea of speed dating. Talking with Mia had eased her mind, and somehow she had realised she was in need of a break. She hadn’t had one in months.
Not since Theo’s death.
It was a beautiful summer evening, and Ciara and Mia agreed to walk to the venue.
“I can’t remember the last time I had my hair and makeup done,” Ciara confessed when they were walking along the pavement. “In fact, I think I’ve only ever done this for work. Like an undercover job.”
“Well, it’s a wonderful thing that you have me. We are going to have so much fun!” Mia was beaming, thrilled to try speed dating.
Ciara smiled. “It is. I’m actually warming up to the idea.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “I wish I had recorded that.” She gaped at Ciara. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Ciara chuckled. “Well, I said it.”
“I know! But I still can’t believe it.”
“Take your time adjusting.”
“So are you planning to go home with someone or...”
“I don’t even know what kind of men there will be.”
“I hope there’s at least a few smoking hot guys,” Mia said, twirling her hair between her fingers.
Ciara chuckled, amused by Mia. “So, are you looking for a one-night-stand or a long-term guy?”
“Either suits me.”
“Feeling that single?”
“You got that right.” Mia’s smile turned into a frown. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
Ciara knew what Mia meant by that. “He would want me to move on.”
Mia nodded. “He would.”
***
SPEED DATING WASN’T for Ciara. Three minutes per guy was either not enough or too much.
She noticed right away when the man was the arrogant type. She could also tell if the guy was there for easy sex.
Still, Ciara chatted with a few men who seemed nice. But even if they were nice, she didn’t feel any connection.
Mia seemed to enjoy herself. Ciara could tell she had eyes on at least two candidates by the time they had met ten men.
Towards the end, Ciara had come to a conclusion. Speed dating wasn’t for her.
The next guy strode over to her table. “Oh, my goodness! I almost didn’t recognise you.”
Ciara looked up, at last paying attention to the guy. Her eyes widened, staring at her ex in shock. “Jesse Kingston?” Her voice filled with disbelief, and her smile grew. The coincidence—running into him—was almost too good to be true.
Jesse—Ciara’s ex-boyfriend from her teenage years—sat down, chuckling. “I’m glad you still recognise me.”
“Well, you’ve changed a lot,” Ciara said, admiring Jesse’s physique. “In a good way.”
He had gained muscle since graduation. He had to be hitting the gym at least five times a week to have his arms look like that.
Jesse smiled at Ciara—a smile she had seen hundreds of times. “It’s been a while.”
“It has.” Ciara chuckled a little. “I mean, it’s been years.”
Jesse nodded, still smiling. “I’m surprised to find you here. I thought you moved across the ocean. America, right?”
“I did, but I just moved back. For now, I’m staying with Henry while I look for a flat.”
“Are you back for good?” Jesse asked.
“I don’t know yet. But I’m back for now.”
“So, you like America? Had fun there?”
“More or less, but I’m happy to be back.” Ciara smiled at Jesse. “What about you? What have you been up to?”
“I have my own flat, and I own a gym.”
Ciara’s eyes widened. “You own a gym?”
Jesse chuckled and nodded. “Yes. It’s right below my flat, too, which is great.”
“So gym music every hour of every day?”
Jesse laughed. “Thank goodness, no! I made some renovations, and the flat is now soundproof both ways.”
Ciara grinned. “I’m sure your ears thank you.”
“And my head. I’d lose my mind if I’d have to hear that music all day every day.”
“I bet.”
“So what made you try speed dating?”
“This is Mia’s surprise for me,” Ciara said, gesturing to the table where Mia was talking enthusiastically with a blond guy.
“Oh, I see,” Jesse said, nodding.
“She didn’t want to come alone, and she said I’m her only single friend.”
“It’s nice to see you two are still friends.”
Ciara smiled. “We’ve reconnected since I came back.”
Jesse nodded.
“What brought you here then?”
Jesse shrugged. “I saw the event on Facebook, and I thought I’d try it.”
“And is speed dating working out for you?”
“Actually—”
The bell rang, informing them that another three minutes had passed.
“Alright, this was it! Now you’ll have time to converse freely before we end the event. I hope you all enjoyed your time,” the host declared.
Jesse turned to smile at Ciara. “Wanna get out of here?”
“You don’t want to continue with any girl?” Ciara asked, grabbing her handbag.
“I do. With you,” Jesse flirted.
Ciara chuckled, taken aback by the bold change in Jesse’s demeanour. “Alright.”
Ciara let Mia know she was leaving with Jesse, and they left the venue.
***
THE EX-COUPLE ENDED up going to a small bar. Jesse had ordered and paid for both of them like a gentleman.
They were sipping their drinks and catching up.
“So, what do you do for living?” Jesse asked.
Ciara smirked. “You won’t believe me.”
The corner of his lip moved up. “Try me.”
“I’m a hit witch.”
Jesse’s eyes widened, and he gaped at Ciara. His expression was unreasonably exaggerated as if he wasn’t surprised in the slightest bit. “For real?”
“For real.”
“Wow. That’s...wow.” Jesse grinned, his eyes turning playful. “Although, if you can ride a dragon, like you did at the tournament back at school, you can do anything.”
Ciara smiled, remembering the dragon-riding task. “That was fun.”
Jesse shook his head. “I doubt that.”
“Maybe you should try.”
“No, thanks.”
“It was terrifying at first,” Ciara admitted.
Jesse laughed at her confession. “I bet it was.”
Ciara smiled at Jesse and took a sip of her drink. She was having fun catching up with him. They hadn’t talked in years.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Jesse began, “when did you and Rossler break up?”
“After he met his current fiancée,” Ciara said.
Jesse gaped at her. “He cheated on you? I didn’t take him as that type of guy.”
“He didn’t cheat. He didn’t kiss her or sleep with her or anything. But I found out he liked her, so I decided it was best to break up.”
“Oh.”
“It was years ago, so it’s all good now. I’m even friends with his soon-to-be wife.”
Jesse raised his eyebrow. “Really?”
Ciara chuckled. “Yes, really. Sometimes it’s sort of weird and awkward.”
Jesse smiled. “I bet.”
“Yeah.”
“So, any guys after that?”
“I was engaged.”
“Really?”
“You remember Theo Boucher? He was in the tournament, too.”
“You and him?” Jesse said, his eyes widening. “Engaged?”
Ciara nodded.
“I have to admit, I always thought he had a thing for you.”
Ciara chuckled. “Recently I’ve been hearing that from everyone.”
“No doubt about that.” Jesse cleared his throat. “So, uh, what happened?”
Ciara took a sip of her drink to prepare for her next words. “He died.”
“He died?” Jesse repeated. His mouth hung open. “I-I’m so sorry, Ciara.”
“Thanks.”
“How are you?”
“Moving on.”
“Good.” Jesse nodded. “That’s good.”
Ciara grimaced, seeing that Jesse was at a loss for words. “I ruined the moment, didn’t I?”
“No, of course not.” Jesse smiled. “So, did you move to America because of him?”
“No. I got a job offer in Canada. I needed a fresh start, so it was the perfect timing. Theo and I worked together, and that’s how we met again.”
“I bet you made a great couple.”
“I think we did.”
“Looks like remeeting guys is a thing by now. Just a lucky coincidence?”
“Seems to be. But it’s nice to see you after so long.”
“I could say the same thing.”
With Jesse, talking was easy. There were no weird, tense silences. Unlike with Liam.
Ciara and Jesse had so much fun catching up. Jesse was especially interested in Ciara’s years in America. They didn’t talk nearly enough about his past years. He was so intrigued by her life.
Ciara and Jesse stayed at the bar until midnight. Towards the end of the night, the conversation had taken a turn. They had ended up flirting for an hour straight.
Right before it would have been the time for goodbyes, Jesse had the guts to ask Ciara to spend the night with him. She said yes, and they headed to his flat. They barely made it to the lift leading from his gym to his flat before the first layer of clothes went off flying.