Dax: Hey. I’m sorry for any awkwardness last night. I was a little shocked, which is why I acted like a fool when I answered the door. It was so good to see you. You look great. And you seem happy to be back. I know you’re picking up Rafe later for dinner. I was wondering if you had time to meet up beforehand. Not at the house. I’m working from home today but can clock out early and meet you somewhere. No worries if you can’t.
Goose bumps covered my arms. You fucking idiot, I told my body. It hadn’t gotten the message that there was no point in getting excited to see Dax anymore.
“It’s him,” I told my dad. “He wants to talk later this afternoon. He feels bad that things were so awkward last night.”
Dad smiled. “I figured you’d hear from him.”
I texted back the only thing I could muster.
Wren: Sure.
The dots danced as he typed.
Dax: Are you at your house? I can swing by and pick you up.
Wren: Yes.
Dax: Say 4?
Wren: Sounds good.
I went to my room and debated what to wear, then swore at myself for caring. Why did it matter? Dax was with Morgan. As expected, she was beautiful. Blond, which seemed to be his type—other than the blip with me. I knew from Rafe already that she was a lawyer—smart, successful, and a little older than Dax by a year or two. That was also his type—older, shit together. The opposite of me.
When Dax came to the door, I let my father answer as I finished putting my eye makeup on in the downstairs bathroom. I suppose it was natural to want your sort-of ex to eat his heart out.
Dax was standing next to my father when I emerged from the bathroom. He swallowed as his eyes traveled up and down my body. I might’ve worn a sexy, super-short romper for the occasion. I would probably always crave this kind of silent admiration from him since it was all I had left now.
“Sorry to make you wait.”
“No worries.” He smiled. “You look nice.”
“Thanks. So do you,” I said, fidgeting with my hands.
My father looked between us, unable to hide the enjoyment peeking through his grin. Glad we’re entertaining you, Dad.
“Where are you going?” my father asked.
Dax’s eyes were still fixed on mine when he answered. “There’s a new tapas restaurant not far from here in Jamaica Plain. I was thinking it might be nice to try it. Unless you’re saving your appetite for dinner with Rafe later. We can just grab a drink.”
I shrugged. “I’m good with anything.” A few seconds of awkward silence passed. “Let me grab my jacket.”
After doing so, I followed Dax out the door. We didn’t speak as he opened the passenger side of his Porsche to let me in. It felt different sitting in this seat because it was her seat now. In fact, I looked down to find a stray blond hair on the leather.
He got in next to me, and rather than starting the car, Dax leaned his head back on the seat and let out a long breath.
“When did you tell your father we slept together?”
I gulped. “Did he say something to you?”
“No. But he knows. I sensed it. When did you tell him?”
“When he came to visit me in Europe a few months ago,” I admitted. “How could you tell?”
“It was the look he gave me—a cross between amusement and warning. He used to come visit Rafe, as you know, so I’ve seen him a few times while you were away. He’s never looked at me like that before.”
I sighed. My father was never one to hide his feelings very well. “Are you mad that I told him?”
Dax stared out the window. “No. How could I be? In retrospect, I remember you saying you tell your father everything.” He laughed angrily. “But fuck, a warning would’ve been nice. I would want to kill me if I were him, Wren.”
“He’s not mad. Dad thinks you’re a good guy. He understands why everything went down the way it did.”
Dax looked back at me. “You grew your hair out. I’ve never seen you with long hair before.”
“You stopped watching my videos.”
His smile faded. “How did you know?”
“Because you would’ve known I’d grown my hair out if you’d seen the latest ones. But you also stopped commenting a while back. I just sensed you were gone.” My eyes started to well up. Holy shit. What’s wrong with me? He hadn’t even turned on the car and I was already emotional?
“Fuck,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m—”
“Don’t you dare apologize. You have every right to be upset right now.”
I wiped my eyes. “Anyway… It’s not a big deal that you stopped watching. I just…” I looked at him. “…Felt your absence.”