Page 108 of I Saw Her First

I fiddle with the camera, my anxious fingers needing something to do.

“New camera,” he murmurs.

“Yeah. I wanted to get one of my own to, I don’t know, prove to myself I’m taking this seriously.”

“That’s…” There’s a pause, and when he speaks again, his voice has a raw edge to it. “That’s great.”

I swallow. “How’ve you been?”

He shoves his hands into his suit pockets. “Not great.”

My heart presses against my ribs. I’m reminded of the man who first came into Joe’s last year. The one who would barely look at me. The man who was broken.

“I tried to speak to Jess,” I blurt. “I went to his work, and we talked, but he’s still so angry. I tried…” I trail off helplessly.

Wes is quiet, and I strain my eyes, wishing I could see him more clearly, could read his face. I open my mouth to say… honestly, I don’t even know what, but he looks at me and asks, “Would you like to dance?”

It takes me completely by surprise. I should say no, because if he so much as touches me, I’ll crumble in his arms, but I don’t have the strength to be anything other than honest.

“Yes. I’d really like that.”

I can’t see his expression, but he turns for the dance floor, and I follow, my heart beating in my throat. Violet and Kyle are back outside, swaying closely to a slow, romantic song. I set thecamera aside, catching Kyle’s eye as I join Wes on the dance floor, and he sends me a hopeful smile.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’ve been punishing myself, and it’s time to stop.

Weston looks uncertain when we face each other, but I step forward and slide my arms around his neck, so we’re closer. When his hands land on my waist, the nerves in my stomach settle, because this is where I’m meant to be. In Weston’s arms.

He draws me close as we sway, lowering his mouth beside my ear. “You look absolutely beautiful, Daisy. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you.”

His words make my pulse jump. “Thank you.” I run a hand down the front of his suit, tugging gently on the lapel. “You look good too.” That’s an understatement if there ever was one.

“I don’t feel good.” His thumbs draw gentle circles on my back, sending a shiver across my skin. “I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I miss you too much.”

I let out a shuddering breath. “Me too. It’s been… it’s been hard.”

He’s quiet as we move together, slowly drawing closer, until our chests are touching. My skin buzzes with electricity. My heart hurts.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, and Wes draws back to look at me from under low brows.

“For what?”

“For leaving.”

He lifts a hand to tuck a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to apologize. I know your heart is in the right place. You want me to be happy.”

I nod, my throat tight. “I really do.”

“But what you don’t realize is that I’m happiest when I’m with you.” His thumb brushes my cheek tenderly. “Youare theperson who makes me happy.” He takes my face in both hands, his ocean-blue eyes searching mine. “I love you, Daisy.”

My breath catches in my lungs. “You do?”

“I do.” His eyes glisten in the light of the bulbs strung above the yard. “I never dreamed I could feel this way again, but I do, and I don’t want to lose what we have. I don’t want to lose you. I’ve lost enough.”

I press my eyes shut, his words piercing something in my chest. But it’s still there, that guilt, the knowledge that I drove his son away.

“But Jess—”

“Jess will do whatever he wants,” Wes says, lowering his hands to my waist again. “We can’t control that, and there’s no point in us being apart for his sake.”

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