Page 63 of Hexed & Hazy

Even if it’s still true. This is likely a friendly dance, nothing more.

It isn’t the first time Seth and I have danced at an event, though it is a rarity, and it would be stranger for me to deny him.

I told him to find me when he was ready. Does this mean he’s ready? Has he broken the hex already?

He takes my hand and pulls me so close that my body is engulfed in the flames of his presence. He never looks away, and I hardly notice as David slinks off into the background, leaving us alone in a crowd of dozens.

“Ro…” Seth’s voice is raw. Broken. “You look beautiful.”

There’s something about the way he says it, about the way he looks at me, that makes me believe he can see me that way. Beautiful. Like art. His eyes drag over me, soaking up every inch of bare skin, until they finally land on mine with hunger. The hand on my waist flexes, his fingers digging in a way that makes me weak in the knees.

“Thank you.” I clear my throat and hold my head high, letting him guide me through the movements.

Neither of us is as good at dancing as David was, but there’s still something comfortable. Familiar.

“You look nice as well.” My lips turn up at the corners. “Did Laurel help you pick it out?”

His suit is more colorful than David’s, a bit less classic. Floral patterns, no tie… It’s laid back. Very Seth, like he could take off the coat and go for a run, still looking perfectly in place.

“Little bit.” We’re quiet for a moment, swept up in the music, and I refuse to be the one to break the silence.

He does it for us.

“Why are you here with him?” he asks. “I thought we⁠—”

“Don’t. Unless something has already changed for you, don’t.”

His jaw flexes, expression more serious than I’ve ever seen it. “Seeing you together…”

“So that’s it?” I let out a bitter laugh. Slow music floats around us, and others are falling in love with it, but my frustrations are bubbling. “You’re jealous. You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me?”

Maybe he wants me, but he still hasn’t said it in so many words, even after I made leaps for him. I broke down my walls for him and admitted secrets I’ve hidden for years. It wasn’t enough for him to do the same. What am I supposed to think? Seth, with all his great confidence, can’t tell me how he feels?

It’s more likely that he doesn’t know, or that he’s ignoring it, and either option is frustrating.

“That’s not it.” He peers at me so earnestly that it makes my heart twinge. “I didn’t know you wanted me until… until a few days ago. It’s a lot to process.”

“I have always wanted you. It’s not my fault that you couldn’t tell.”

It breaks my heart to say aloud something he should already know. How much must I spell it out for him, and when will he do the same for me?

“Please,” he says. “Don’t give up on me so fast. You’re the only⁠—”

The song ends, and David reappears, tugging me from Seth’s arms. I let him. Even though I don’t love David the way I want to, his hand wrapped around mine brings me a moment of security. Back to my date, drawn away from the one I don’t want to keep loving.

“Good night, Seth.”

Seth’s hands drop to his sides, and he remains there as David and I float away.

David takes me home a little before midnight. We’re quiet on the drive home until we get out of the car and he walks me inside, his coat still over my shoulders as we go.

“Be honest with me,” he says. “This was a good first date, as far as I’m concerned, but…”

I should have seen this coming.

David and I had a lovely night, and there was never an awkward moment. But he’s too perceptive—or perhaps I’m just too obvious—and a perfect communicator. Unlike Seth.

Gods, I need to stop comparing him to Seth.