Page 32 of The Sound Of Silence

Playing my part, I run my hands slowly up his body before linking my fingers behind his neck. He doesn’t say a word, but his body stiffens at my light touch, a similar reaction to what I’ve seen with Pippa.

“Better?” I ask, even though I’d say he’s hating every moment.

“Much,” he lies, clearly uncomfortable. “Now dance.”

As we sway to “Lover” by Taylor Swift, I ask the question that stopped me from walking away. “Why Buttercup?”

Jesse freezes as his eyes flash to mine, confusion set in his expression.

“You also said it at dinner last night. Have you given me a pet name? Do youlikeme?” I joke to break through the sudden tension between us—even though it’s highly inappropriate—and it works. Jesse grunts as his features soften.

He moves us again, and I assume that means he’s not going to answer, until he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Do you know much about flowers,Willow? You do work next to a florist.”

Shaking my head, I huff out a laugh and tilt myself back, looking up into his eyes. “Surprisingly, flower knowledge hasn’t magically seeped through the walls and into my brain. So no, Ican’tsay that I do.”

“Well then.” He shrugs. “You definitely can’t assume that I like you.”

This guy cannot take a joke.Only now I desperately want to reach for my phone to search buttercups.Why the hell didn’t I bring it?

Tucking my head into the crook of his neck, I focus on the music while trying to ignore the world around me, blocking out the fact that I’m in the arms of my sister’s man and not at all hating it.

When the song changes, I expect him to let go, but he doesn’t. Instead, his hands glide farther around me—keeping me in place—and the pads of his fingers sink into my bare skin, his touch igniting something deep within me, making my heart take flight.

God, I’m a horrible person.I can’t do this.

Loosening my hold around his neck, I pull back and create some much-needed space between us, even though it’s barely more than an inch. “I’ve got to ask…why the jealous boyfriend act?” I say, using the question as my excuse for moving away. “I’m more than capable of handling myself around guys.”

Jesse’s eyes narrow as he throws out “I’m sure you can,” making me certain he’s not sure at all. “But I know that guy," he continues, "and he’s not someone to be messed with.”

Accepting the fact that he may have actually been looking out for me, I sigh. “I wasn’t planning onmessingwith him. It was just a dance.”

“It’s neverjusta dance.”

“Isn’t it? Then what’s this?”

“This is me saving your ass from the wrong guy.”

He tugs at my waist with a force that leaves me no option but to fall back into his chest, then huffs out a laugh. I want to fight him. To break away from his grip. But at the same time, I don’t…and that’s all kinds of wrong.

For the next minute and a half, I’m hyperaware of every touch, every sound, and every move Jesse makes. This moment is taking over my senses, and I hate that it’s bringing me to life. With the way my heart’s racing in my chest, I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed, or maybe he has but he’s trying to ignore it. Trying to pretend.

When the song ends, Pippa interrupts, and the guilt I feel is all-consuming. I break away from Jesse so fast it may as well be an admission. “Pippa, I—”

“I finally got away from Jackie,” she says with a relaxed smile on her face, referring to our Mom’s friend. “Willow, thank Jesse for helping you out, and then I’m dragging him away.”

Huh?

Jesse smirks but there’s an edge to it. Almost like he’s an accomplice to my crime. Like he’s mimicking my feelings. But that makes no sense.

What makes sense is his reasons behind dancing with me. They must have seen something about Alex that I didn’t,so Pippa sent Jesse to help.

Swallowing a lump in my throat, I smile in return and do as she asked, thanking him for the dance, before leaving them alone and heading back to my table.

After only one more song, we’re asked to take our seats again as dessert is served, and the speeches begin. The moment I’ve been waiting for.The moment before I can leave.

While I’ve been in a rush to get out of here, the second my Dad takes the stage, my entire view changes. Tonight was worth it. Seeing the emotion in his eyes as we all rise to our feet in celebration and the genuine smiles he shares with my mom are things I’ll never take for granted. And when he mentions me and my sisters, I almost tear up.Almost.

It definitely puts me in a lighter mood for when Jesse steps up onto the stage. Not that my heart realizes that because it skips a beat as soon as he opens his mouth.

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