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“I was tired of being lonely, and Josh, he made things better. He was kind, patient, and driven. But I don’t know. There was never that spark. That inexplicable attraction.”
“He was safe,” I said, and she nodded. “Do you love him?”
“I— I think so, just not the way I’m supposed to. Does that make me a horrible person?”
“You can’t force these things,” I said. Like I was a qualified expert in these matters. The only person I’d ever loved was my mom.
“But something must be wrong with me, right? I mean, Josh is perfect. On paper he’s perfect, but I…” Tears pricked the corner of her eyes, and I wanted nothing more than to pull Dayna into my arms and comfort her.
What the fuck?
“Oh, I don’t know what I’m saying,” she sniffled. “I’m drunk, and it’s late. We should probably go.”
“Whatever you want,” I said, draining the last of my beer. Dayna watched me intently, and I asked, “What?”
“I was wrong, Aiden Dumfries. You are nothing like they say you are.”
“Don’t be fooled, freckles. I’m not the good guy here.”
I didn’t know how to be. Yet, sitting here, listening to her story, the pain in her voice, it made me wish I was.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” I stood and offered her my hand. The second her palm slid against mine, a shiver ran down my spine.
Fuck me.
This girl.
This fucking girl.
It was because Carson had marked her as off-limits. Guys were wired to want the chase—the hunt. Being told I couldn’t have her was like laying a challenge at my feet.
And I never backed down from a challenge.
But something about this—about her—felt different.
We walked out of Moonies in a thick silence. Dayna swayed gently on her feet, humming a tune as we walked toward the beach.
“We can get a cab,” I suggested.
“No, I like the walk. Besides, I should probably give myself some time to sober up before I get home and Mom starts fussing.”
“She’ll wait up?”
Dayna chuckled. “You’ve met Judy Benson. Of course, she’ll wait up.”
We were still holding hands, but Dayna didn’t seem to mind. Besides, it wasn’t like I could let go of her. She’d probably face-plant on the sidewalk.
“She seems like a good mom.”
“She is. The best.” Dayna grinned. “But after Dalton… I’m surprised she let me go to Boston.”
“It must have been hard on her and your dad.”
She nodded. “But I needed space. I needed to find myself again.”
“Did you?”
“Did I what?” She peeked up at me.
