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“Um, likewise. It’s been nice getting to know you a little.”
Dad doesn’t seem as though he is fooled. He’s looking at us both like we’re up to no good, and in truth, we were. How can we deny that when we were inches from kissing before he interrupted?
A long silence falls between us all. Dad must have noticed how the easy-going vibe left the second he entered the room. He stares at both of us, trying to figure out what it is that he is missing.
“Is everything alright?” Dad asks us both, folding his arms expectantly. Wes avoids his gaze, staring at his lap. Then, all of a sudden, he stands up.
“I think I’ve had a little too much to drink, that’s all,” he says, wobbling a little on his feet. I frown. He hadn’t seemed drunk a minute ago. Is he making an excuse to get out of here. And if so, can I really blame him after what we’ve just found out?
Still, it feels a little like a betrayal when he walks out of the room without even looking back. I want him to turn around and give me a flash of that gorgeous smile he has. I want him to give me some sign that this doesn’t have to be the end - maybe we can pick up where we left off when we’re out of sight and out of mind - but he gives me nothing. I sigh as I watch the one man I’ve ever felt a connection with leave me behind. Why couldn’t he be literally anyone else in the world?
“Are you sure everything is alright, sweetie?” Dad asks me, sitting beside me on the bed where Wes was just sitting. It feels wrong, considering what he and I had been about to do.
“I’m fine,” I say grumpily. “What are you even doing in my room, Dad?”
“Poppy saw you come up here. I was a little worried about you. You haven’t seemed to be enjoying yourself this evening.”
“You know I don’t really get these parties,” I mumble. The annoying thing is, the fun part would have actually started if he had just left me to my own devices. A few more seconds and I would have been in complete bliss with Wes at my side. But then again, had my father caught us a few seconds later, then there would have been hell to pay.
“Come on, sweetheart, is it really so bad to spend a few nights in the company of your old Dad?”
I wince. He just doesn’t get it. I’ve spent my entire life wishing he would pick up the phone and give me a call. Or just pop around a few times a month to take me to school or out for morning pancakes. I never wanted a lot from him. I just wanted him to act a little more like a Dad. But he never did. And now that I’m older, he just suddenly expects me to fake a smile and act like I’m happy to be around him when the last thing I want to do is be around the man who made my life miserable.
“I guess not,” I say, just to placate him and get him off my back. He grins at me and throws an arm around my shoulder. He’s clearly a little drunk. I can smell the whiskey on his breath. I’m certain he won’t remember this in the morning. I resist the urge to pull away from him, not wanting to cause a scene.
“That’s my girl. Now why not rejoin the party, hmm? You don’t want to be hanging around with the older generation all night. Poppy’s talking to some nice young men your age. You should join her.”
I don’t want to join her. I want to rush downstairs and spend my time finding Wes again. I want to pick up where we left off. I want him to take me in his arms and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. But it looks like that’s off the table now. I guess I’ll just have to accept that I’ll be waiting another lifetime to find someone like him.
Chapter Four
Wes
I seriously wanted to punch Lawrence in the throat for interrupting my moment with Zooey. I can’t believe how possessive I feel about her already, before we have even managed to share our first kiss. And now, thanks to Lawrence’s reveal, it looks as though I’m never going to get my chance with her.
I have to resist the urge to punch a wall as I head downstairs, leaving Zooey and her father behind. I can’t believe we were inches from kissing before I found out who she really is. The strange thing is, it doesn’t put me off one bit. I don’t see why it should when she seems so obviously perfect for me. I could move past the whole Lawrence thing if she could as well. All I want is my chance to be with her. And the more I think it might not happen, the angrier I seem to get.
