Page 106 of I Saw Her First

He lifts his champagne glass, sending me a melancholy smile. I know he’s trying to do the right thing by keeping his distance, but it physically hurts me to see him and not be able to speak to him. Not be able to touch him.

I tear my gaze away, my chest tight, and escape upstairs under the guise of changing my camera battery. I need a moment to center myself.

You’re not here for Weston, I remind myself, pacing the quiet living room. The sound of music and laughter drifts up from downstairs, and I square my shoulders resolutely.You’re here to do a job.

With a deep breath, I turn to head back down, just as Kyle appears at the top of the stairs.

“Hey, Daisy!” He grins, clearly a little looser than usual after a few glasses of champagne. Either that or he’s drunk on love. “You having a good time?”

“Yep.” I paste on a smile and move to step around him, but he stops me.

“You sure?” He peers at my face, then gives a shake of his head. “You’re not. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” As if I’ll ruin his wedding by blabbing to him about my problems with Wes. I try harder to make the smile seem genuine, but he’s not buying it.

“Hey,” he says gently, motioning for us to take a seat in the living room. “Talk to me.”

“It’s nothing,” I repeat, forcing a light laugh, hovering by the stairs even though he’s settled in for a chat.

“It’s Wes, isn’t it?”

That’s all it takes for me to sink into the chair beside him. “How did you know?”

His green eyes sparkle. “Violet filled me in on a few details, but even if she hadn’t… it’s hard to miss the way he’s looking at you.”

“How’s he looking at me?” I ask, in spite of myself. Has it really been that obvious to everyone else?

“Like a lovesick puppy.” Kyle chuckles. “And based on all the looks I’ve seen you send his way, I’d guess you feel the same.”

Busted. Shit, I am so unprofessional.

“I swear, I’ve got so many good pictures—”

Kyle’s laugh cuts me off. “I know you have. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying you should be down there dancing with him. We don’t mind.”

“Oh.” My cheeks warm. “It’s not… it’s a little complicated.”

Kyle strokes his beard, eying me thoughtfully. “Wait here.” He disappears down the stairs, then returns with two fresh glasses of champagne, handing me one. “Now, tell me what the problem is.”

I take the glass gratefully. “That’s very kind, but this is your wedding. I’m not going to—”

“Exactly.” He gives me a smug look. “It’smywedding, so you have to do what I say. Now, tell me why you’re up here talking with me and not down there with Wes.”

I open and close my mouth, hesitating. I really don’t want to dump my problems on the groom, but he’s gazing at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. And it’s not like Kyle doesn’t know about us, despite Weston’s intentions to keep things discreet.

At my hesitation, Kyle softens. “Do you remember that early morning I came into Joe’s last year, and you listened to me talk about what was going on with Violet?”

“Of course.”

“This is me returning the favor.” He smiles gently, and I sigh.

“Fine. Five minutes, then you go back downstairs.”

“Deal.” He clinks his glass to mine. “Now, go.”

I take a deep breath and begin, finding it surprisingly easy to spill everything to Kyle. I haven’t spoken to anyone about this, and the words come tumbling out. I tell him about meeting Weston at Joe’s over a year ago, slowly getting to know him, thinking he was married, getting together with Jess, things imploding with Jess, then eventually getting together with Wes. His encouragement for my photography, falling for him, thenJess discovering our relationship. My decision to step back, and how hard it’s been.

Kyle listens intently, cradling his glass, his face kind. When I finish, he exhales long and slow. “That’s… a lot.”

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