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“Alex called him Uncle Wes.”
“Yeah, well, he is family.” Dad rubs the back of his neck.
“Not theirs.”
“As good as,” Dad sighs heavily. “Look, growing up I made a lot of mistakes with you, and you never held that against me. You gave me more chances than I deserved, but you’ve never even given him one. I’m not even entirely sure what happened between you that makes you think he doesn’t deserve that. I respected the fact that you had your reasons for avoiding him, and I did the best I could to help. But heisfamily. And there are some things even I can’t control. This is one of them. You just said you’d survive, right?” He offers his hand to help me out of the car.
I spent years convincing myself that when I finally saw Wes again, I’d be fine. I knew it would happen eventually, and I was determined that when it did, I’d retain my composure. I’d show no sign of weakness or hurt or resentment, or any other sign that would demonstrate just how completely he broke me. But right now, sitting in the limo knowing he’s merely steps away, my heart feels like it’s about to explode.
“Sawyer,” Dad prompts.
I take a deep breath, repeating the mantra I’ve said so many times over the years. I don’t need him, I don’t want him, he means nothing.Then I take Dad’s hand and let him pull me toward the door.
He steps out first, shielding me behind him as he gives Wes an affectionate slap on the back. And then he shifts, and I find myself face to face with the man who’s haunted my dreams for nearly a decade.
Wes
I’mvaguelyawareofsomeone exiting the limo behind Colt, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect that person to be Sawyer.
Her face is still as captivating as ever, light green eyes under heavy brows, porcelain skin, the smattering of freckles barely visible beneath the makeup she’s wearing, which you might not notice unless you know to look for them.
She’s taller now, though part of that is undoubtedly due to the heels she’s wearing. And her face is thinner, more mature, though there’s a softness about it that reminds me of the fresh and innocent girl I fell in love with. Her figure is still slender, but there’s more shape to her hips and breasts, which are impossible not to notice in the floor length green dress that brings out her eyes.
Years ago, I thought Sawyer was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. I told her she was breathtaking. That’s even more true now.
The shock makes it nearly impossible to breathe let alone speak, so I stand motionless, soaking up as much of her as I can.
I’ve played this reunion out in my mind hundreds of times over the years, and now that it’s here, I have no idea what to do. I want to pull her into my arms, stroke her back, and kiss the fuck out of her. I want to shake her silly for hiding from me all these years, pull her into my arms, and then kiss the fuck out of her. I want her, in spite of the blank look on her face that I know is a mask to hide what she’s thinking.
It’s not until a passing elbow bumps my arm that I realize I haven’t moved since she stepped out of the car. Screw the mask. I’m done doing things her way.
“Sawyer,” I exhale as I bridge the gap between us and pull her into a hug. Her body goes stiff, arms hanging limply at her side, but I don’t care. I feel whole for the first time in years, and if the hitch in her breathing is any indication, I’m not alone.
“God, I missed you,” I whisper, tightening my hold. I don’t care that she’s not hugging me back, I’m not cutting this short when I’ve waited so long.
“We’ll meet you two inside.” Colt places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze before steering his family toward the entrance.
“Wait,” Sawyer calls, trying to pull back. Over the top of her head I see Colt shoot her a warning look. At least someone is tired of her hiding from me.
“Eight years apart wasn’t long enough for you.” I sigh, relaxing my grip so she can step out of my arms, reality setting in.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The mask is firmly in place.
“You expect me to believe you haven’t been avoiding me all this time?”
“You expect me to believe you’d care if I had been?” she fires back.
“Of course I care. If you hadn’t ghosted me, you’d know that.”
“Ighostedyou?”
“How many times did I call before you blocked my number? Two? Ten? And you changed your email, Hollie let that slip when I came home for Christmas the first year. So yeah, I’d say you ghosted me.” I cross my arms and stare her down, daring her to object.
“You said you’d give me space, and you didn’t.” She gives me an indifferent little shrug. “Besides, it was your idea to give each other up.”
“I meant the timing was bad, not that I didn’t want you in my life.”
“That’s not what I heard.” Her tone is so sharp it could cut glass.
