Unwrapped

I can’t get her out of my head.

I don’t know how it happened, but now, she’s all I can think about. Even back at the beach house, seeing Juliet for the first time since everything went down, I didn’t care. All I could care about was Lacey.

Something was wrong, I knew it even on the drive up. The way she avoided my gaze, staring out the window, carefully moving around me, so we wouldn’t even accidentally touch. I wanted to ask, to see if I’d done something wrong, but somehow, I couldn’t find the right words. Maybe she just felt awkward, being stuck with me long after she’d usually make her morning-after escape. After all, one night flings aren’t supposed to stick around the next day like I did.

That was it, I tell myself. She just wanted to get away from me and forget the whole thing ever happened.

But what if you’re wrong …?

The possibility slips into my mind and shimmers there, too bright to ignore. If I’ve read this all wrong, if Lacey might be open to seeing where this could go … Hell, I don’t need a promise from her, I’d settle for a single date: any chance I get to make her see I’m not the boring, straight-laced guy she thinks I am. That I can make her happy, treat her like the queen she really is.

Love her the way she deserves.

It’s crazy. I should feel wrecked, seeing the girl I used to love so happy to be marrying someone else, but the strange thing is, I didn’t feel a thing: looking at Juliet was like a memory from a different life, like I was someone else when I was with her, and now, that moment is gone. Juliet is my past, but Lacey …?

She could be my future.

It’s a chance. The smallest, slimmest, craziest chance in the world, but even that tiny piece of hope is enough. It’s everything.

Before I know what I’m doing, I put the car in drive and spin a U-turn in the parking lot, the wheels screeching in protest. I head back on the coastal highway—heading the exact direction I just came from.

To Beachwood Bay. To Lacey.

I’m going to make her mine.

***

By three, everything’s ready. The backyard looks perfect, Juliet is dressed, and the rest of the guests have arrived and are taking their seats out back, wrapped in extra blankets and scarves. It’s a small group, just friends from town, and close family, but as the clouds finally part and shine crisp winter sunshine down on the snowy scene, I know, it’s everything Juliet and Emerson wanted.

Everyone they love, right here, to share in their happiness.

“All set?” Brit asks, pulling on a long, fake-fur cape. She’s standing as a bridesmaid, and has a bouquet of white roses, with fur lined boots on her feet. Hunter comes in from the other room to collect her, his eyes softening at the sight of her.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs quietly, and her cheeks flush pink.

“You look pretty dapper yourself.” Brit adjusts the lapel of his tux, and they share a look so full of love and passion, I have to look away.

“All set,” I busy myself with my own wrap, ignoring the lump in my throat. “You get everyone settled, we’ll be out in a minute.”

They head outside, and I’m left alone in the foyer for a minute. I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, and have to wince at the grim expression on my face.

Quit moping! I order myself. You’re happy for her, so try and look it!

I plaster a bright smile on my face and open my mouth to call Juliet down, but then I catch sight of something in the drive that makes the words die in my throat.

Daniel.

My heart skips a beat as I watch him leap out of the car and stride up the front steps, looking deadly determined. He throws open the door then stops in surprise, just inches away from me.

God, he’s gorgeous. I stare at him, at those deep amber eyes, and feel a wave of longing crash through me so powerful, I have to reach out a hand to steady myself on the bannister. But what the hell is he doing back here? My mind races, and then I realize.

Oh.

“You can’t …” I stutter, looking frantically around. “She chose him, Daniel, you can’t stop the wedding now—”

“What are you talking about?” Daniel frowns at me in confusion.

“Juliet,” I breathe, my voice weak. “You came back for her.” I swallow, my voice wavering with a treacherous hint of hope. “Didn’t you?”

Daniel takes a step closer, and then another, his gaze fixed on mine. My breath stills as he reaches to cup my face in his hand, gently tracing my jaw.

What the …?

Daniel slowly shakes his head, leaning closer. “It’s you, Lacey,” he whispers. “I came back for you.”

I don’t understand.

I blink at him, wordless, unable to process what he’s just said. It can’t be; this is some kind of game. A trick. He can’t mean it.

He can’t want me.

Daniel’s smile slips. “Unless …” He gulps, looking panicked. “Shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t know if you wanted …” He backs away. “I got this all wrong.”

He reaches for the door to leave as I stay frozen. And for a terrible split-second, I can’t say a word, I just watch him walk away.

Let him go. A small voice orders me. Because a man like that could never want you, not really. He’d get tired of you, bored, annoyed. You would wreck this, somehow, and wouldn’t it be worse in the end, hurting him? Letting yourself down. Trying, and failing to be the perfect girl he deserves.