Page 83 of I Saw Her First

“Did you argue?”

“No.” He reaches for his wineglass and takes a long sip. “No, it was good. I wasn’t sure if I should… if you wanted me to talk about him.”

“Oh.” I set my fork down. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He lifts a shoulder, going to set his wine down, then changing his mind and taking another gulp. “He’s your ex-boyfriend, Daisy.”

“Who also happens to be your son,” I point out.

Weston’s gaze flits to mine. “Exactly. I guess… I don’t know the protocol for this situation.”

I reach for his hand where it rests on the stem of his wineglass, and squeeze. “We only dated for a few months, and I never felt for him anything close to what I feel for you. Besides, I knew you first.”

Wes chuffs a small, quiet laugh. “That’s true.”

I withdraw my hand, reaching for my wine. “The protocol is whatever we want it to be. Yeah, it’s a little weird, but I want to hear about your relationship with your son. I want to hear about how things are going for you guys. It’s important to me.”

His eyes move between mine, as if trying to read me. Finally, he exhales, giving in to a smile as he picks up his fork again. “Things are going well. He had a night off work and we hung out and watched a game, had a few beers. It was really nice.”

My heart swells as I listen to Wes talk about spending time with his son. Not just for him, but for Jesse too. For the relationship they both so clearly need.

And when we finish our meals and Wes rises to use the restroom, I force myself not to think about how much worse this makes it for me and him. How it could, very possibly, spell the end of whatever is blossoming between us.

I drain my wine and place my napkin on the table, a sigh of satisfaction slipping from my lips. The food, the wine, the company—this has been an absolutely perfect evening.

“Daisy?”

My head jerks up in surprise at hearing my name in such an unfamiliar setting. I glance over my shoulder, and my blood turns to ice in my veins.

33

Daisy

Rex weaves between the tables, gaze intent on me. His auburn hair has been cut and styled neatly with gel, and he wears a button-down shirt tucked into his dress pants. He’s smiling broadly as he approaches, but my pulse races so fast I can barely compute what’s happening.

How is Rexhere? Why?

More importantly, did he see me with Weston?

“I thought that was you.” He reaches the table and takes my hand, raising it to his lips for a kiss, as if I’m a princess in a Disney film. Everything about this moment feels out of character, and I blink, trying to make sense of the situation.

“Um, hi, Rex.”

“You know, that’s so strange.” He laughs, gesturing over his shoulder. “I swear I just saw Mr. Abbott in the bathroom.”

My breath freezes in my lungs. Somehow, I manage to coax my mouth into a bemused smile.

“That’s weird.” I choke out a laugh. “Are you sure it was him? I doubt he’s out of the city.” Rex opens his mouth to say something, and my pulse spirals. “Who are you here with? Youlook…” I wave a hand at his clothing, taking a moment to really look at him. He’s like a different guy, dressed up like this; if he hadn’t called out to me, I’m not sure I would have recognized him. “Fancy,” I finish at last.

Rex laughs, raking a hand through his hair, pink washing his fair complexion. “I’m, uh, on a date.”

He motions to a woman across the restaurant, and when I turn to see, she gives me a shy little wave. I return her wave, glancing back at Rex. He’s dressed up, on a date at averyexpensive restaurant, and he looks almost… nervous. I’ve never seen him like this.

His expression turns serious. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out with you and Jess.”

“Oh.” I fold my hands in my lap. “Yeah, that wasn’t… it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Still, he has you to thank for figuring things out with his dad,” Rex adds warmly. He gives my shoulder a squeeze, but it’s not the kind of touch from him that, in the past, would have made me flinch; it’s a sincere gesture.

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