Page 8 of You've Always Been Mine

It’s pathetic to still be so affected by him. After all, I don’t even really know the man he is now. He could be an arrogant jerk now that he’s rich and successful. But none of that matters to the teenage girl in me—the one who pined after him for years.To her, Derek will always be the man of her dreams. And I can’t fault her for it. And now, looking up at him, I’m taken aback by the intensity I see in his expression. It could be the dark playing tricks on me, but I’d say he almost looks as affected by our proximity as I am.

“Thanks.” I swallow.

“No problem.” I expect him to step back, but he doesn’t.

Derek and I stand chest to chest under the tropical night sky, and I can’t even begin to describe how confused I am.

I’m trying to figure out how to extricate myself from his arms when it’s the last thing I want to do when he says, “You look beautiful tonight, Liv.”

Be still my heart.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “You too.”

His grin grows. “Can’t say I’ve been called beautiful before.”

I feel my cheeks heat. “You know what I mean.”

He chuckles. “I’ve missed messing with you. Actually, I’ve just missed you.”

My pulse accelerates. “You have?”

He nods. “I’m sorry for being so distant at my parents’ anniversary party. I was a bit of a wreck after Kyle…” He averts his gaze as he trails off.

My heart squeezes in my chest. “That’s understandable.”

He stares at the incoming waves and swallows the lump in his throat. “He was my best friend—ourbest friend. I’m sure it was hard for you to lose him, too.”

It was, but not like it would be for Derek. He and Kyle never had a falling out. They’ve been close for the majority of their lives.

I change the subject, “We should get back to the reception. We don’t want to miss the toasts.”

Derek’s eyes slide back to mine. The intensity in his gaze makes me catch my breath. When he looks down at my lips, Ithink I might faint. There’s no way Derek Lawson is thinking about kissing me. Is he?

The thumb on the hand still holding my arm caresses my skin. Anticipation builds, but it tumbles to the sand under my toes when he drops his grip. “You’re right. Come on.” He extends his arm.

Hoping to hide my disappointment with a timid smile, I slide my arm through his and let him escort me back to the large white tent where the reception is taking place. As we get closer, Derek’s steps slow until he comes to a stop when we’re still a decent distance away from the party.

I look up with a raised brow only to see him already looking down at me. He wears the same intense expression from earlier.

“Derek?” Once again, his attention makes my heart race. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He continues to stare. “Nothing at all.”

Thank God it’s nighttime. I’m sure my face is beet red from his attention. The dark, coupled with the glass of wine I had during dinner, emboldens me. “Then why are you staring?”

“Because looking at you makes me remember.”

“Remember what?”

“How much of an idiot I’ve been all these years.”

I tilt my head to the side. “What are you talking about? Are you drunk?” I’ve overheard his parents discuss their concerns over their son’s drinking habits with my parents. Not wanting to pry, I never asked for details.

“I’m not drunk.” Thankfully, he doesn’t sound offended by my question. “But maybe I should be for this.”

My forehead furrows. “What do you?—”

“Will you dance with me, Liv?”

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