Chapter 39
Dex
I could sense earlier that Dani was avoiding me again, and I wasn’t going to let that happen. I may have let it slide last time she pushed me away after our drunken hookup, but I’m in too deep now.
I know her. I want her. Every infuriating fucking piece of her.
Maybe I’m setting myself up for heartbreak, and this one will undoubtedly hurt more than any other, but oh well.
She takes way too long to return after our little tryst against the tree—which, by the way, left me hard as a fucking rock—and I’m about to go searching for her when I finally spot her making her way through the crowd.
Her hair is slightly messed up in the back, but she’s never looked more perfect to me. That shining golden-brown hair, those sexy curves, and that sassy, pouty look that always seems to be stamped on her face—it all hits me like a blow to the chest.
She locks eyes with me and smiles, but then someone grabs her and starts chatting, so I head to the bar for a drink.
“Dex!”
Shit.
I turn around, ready to face Marny.
“Where have you been? I want a dance, handsome!”
She runs a hand down my shoulder, way too intimately for my liking. I politely shake it off, pretending to look at something as I shift my arm away.
“I don’t think so, Marny. You have a good night, though.”
“Ugh. Why not, Dex?” She gives me a puppy face that does not work on me whatsoever. “This isn’t because of the teacher, is it?”
“Her name is Daniela. And that’s really none of your business.”
“Fine then, no dance.” Her expression twists into something impatient. Irritated. So does mine.
“How about we sneak away somewhere private then, like we used to?” She’s persistent .
“That was ten years ago. And to be honest, I haven’t thought about you in years. Not once.”
I’ve had enough of her. I begin to walk away before she can say anything more.
I move around her—only to find the most beautiful girl watching me. Dani. I make my way over to her and grab her hand, stealing her away. I don’t care who she was talking to.
She follows me to the dance floor, holding my hand tightly.
My other hand grabs onto her waist like a kid clutching its favorite toy, never wanting to let go. She smells like flowers and sunshine, and I want to breathe in only that scent for the rest of the night—at the very minimum.
“Ah. I love this song. Even though the movie kind of frightened me as a kid.”
“What is it?”
“It’s called ‘Flightless Bird, American Mouth.’”
“Interesting. What movie?”
“ Twilight .”
I laugh.
“You know we’re never going to hear the end of this.” Her smile hits me right in the chest.
“You’re clearly very concerned about that.” I grin back.
“Are you always so persistent?” she asks, changing the subject .
“Yes.”
“Then what stopped you before?”
“You might recall that I texted you for several months after you spent the night with me and then ignored me the next day until you could get out of here and never look back. If it weren’t for the accident over Christmas, I probably wouldn’t have seen you again until this summer. I’m persistent, but I’m not a fool.”
“Sorry about that…”
She wants to say more. I can see it written all over her face. But now isn’t really the time.
I give her waist a reassuring squeeze.
The song changes to a more upbeat one, and the crowd around us starts to dance more frantically. I grab her hand again, leading her away.
“Come here for a minute,” I holler back at her.
I release her hand, and she follows until I reach the table where my parents are sitting. I glance back, expecting her to look hesitant, but she follows with no complaints.
“Dex. Hi, honey,” Mom says when she notices me. Then her eyes fall on Daniela, and they light up even more.
“This must be Daniela?” she asks, looking at me for confirmation. Didn’t even let me make the introduction first. Typical.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Daniela cuts in, reaching out a hand .
My mom ignores it and pulls her in for a hug. “We’ve heard so much about you. I’m Alana,” she says as she releases her, beaming.
“Oh really?” Daniela lifts an eyebrow at me, smirking.
I shrug, rolling my eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Daniela. I’m Steve,” Dad interjects. They shake hands. Dad has a good heart, but he can be intimidating to some. But Dani isn’t one to be intimidated by a man with a firm handshake. And her face reflects that.
“Are your parents here as well?” Mom asks. “I know Layla grew up with you, just like Liam and Dex. Such a sweet story those two have.”
Mom can really get to talking right away.
“My mom is around here somewhere with her wife,” Daniela responds, looking around at the crowd. “Ah. There they are. Taking up the dance floor, of course.”
She points to a woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair—the same color as Daniela’s—and another with shorter black hair. They’re smiling and having fun dancing together.
“Well, hopefully we’ll meet them later,” my mom says with a warm smile.
Daniela nods, and then we’re interrupted by someone in a puffy white dress.
“Layla!” Daniela shouts, embracing her friend. “I’ve barely seen you all night! Everyone else is hogging you. ”
“I know, I’ve barely had time to eat,” Layla beams at all of us. “I see you’ve met Dex’s parents.”
She shoots me a look. I’m pretty sure she gives Daniela a similar one.
“You should go get some food, dear. It’s delicious,” my mom tells her.
“I will do that, thank you,” Layla loops her arm through Daniela’s. “Mind if I steal her away with me.”
I shrug. Not sure what I’m supposed to say to that.
I watch them walk off, then decide to sit and visit with my parents for a few minutes, even though I know my mom is going to grill me.
I take a moment to look around, soaking it all in.
I would love to get married someday. But I think I’d want something a little smaller, even though this did turn out incredible. Everyone seems to be having a good time. And the food was great, of course.
I spot Jameson sitting alone at a table nearby, and when I follow his gaze, I find Carly at the other end of it. She’s dancing with her boyfriend, though.
Interesting.
I make a mental note to go talk to Jameson more later.
I still don’t know much about the guy.
“She’s beautiful.” My mom smiles at me, giving that annoying, knowing, motherly look.
“Yep. ”
“I didn’t expect to be introduced by you tonight. I mean, I was going to introduce myself either way, but you brought her to us.”
I laugh. “So?”
“It was a surprise, that’s all. A nice surprise.” Her smile lights up her eyes, and I look away, rubbing a hand down my face.
My eyes follow Daniela across the yard, her hips swaying in that silky dress, and I try not to think about how I was tasting her not twenty minutes ago—and how I already want more.
I leave my parents to go mingle some more, and twenty minutes later, as I’m talking with one of Liam’s relatives, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I turn and find Daniela looking at me with an almost shy smile on her face. I excuse myself from the previous conversation and join her. She’s followed closely by her mom and stepmom.
“Dex. Hey…um.” She pauses. “I wanted to introduce you to my mom, Sadie, and her wife, Bria.”
A huge smile takes over my face as I reach out to greet them. Her mom doesn’t exactly give the impression that she wants to be hugged, so I decide on a handshake. She seems friendly still.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I say to both of them, shaking each of their hands.
“You too,” her mom responds with a timid smile .
“So, you’re the best man? I hope you’re all treating our Layla well here.”
“Yes, ma’am. Our little circle is lucky to have her.”
“Good. And I hope my Daniela isn’t giving you too much trouble?” She has a mischievous smirk on her face. “If anyone knows how spirited she can be…it’s me.”
“I like her spirit,” I reply with a smile, looking at Daniela. She seems slightly uncomfortable, but not unhappy. Based on her history, I wonder if she’s ever introduced someone to her parents before.
Her mom wears a warm smile, appearing satisfied.
“Okay. We’re going to dance,” Daniela announces, grabbing my hand and leading me away.
I follow her happily.