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His lips were pursed and his jaw locked in a tense grimace. She felt his pain as tangibly as if it were her own.
Daniel glanced at her and their eyes met and held. Before redirecting his attention to the road, he gave her a half smile.
They’d always been able to read each other’s expressions and unspoken thoughts. It came from years of shared experiences.
“Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. But, yeah, it gets to me sometimes.”
“You’re allowed to be sad.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “These children are babies. They’re bringing back all these memories of how useless I felt back then.”
“There’s a difference between now and then. This time you can help. You’re making things better.” She took his free hand and wound her fingers through his.
He caressed her palm with his thumb.
It was an intimate gesture, but he seemed unaware of his actions, so she didn’t stop him…despite the unexpected shiver that ran up her spine.
In fact, she enjoyed the subtle massage so much her eyes closed and her head dropped back against the seat. It was just as well Daniel parked then, because she was seriously considering moving his hand from her palm to her breast.
They made their way across the grass to a group of about fifty or so people gathered together. Some stood chatting in small groups while others sat on blankets scattered around the lawn. A table laden with drinks and food had been set up for the guests. Several people danced near a pair of portable speakers. Maroon 5 blared from the speakers, and the ocean roared behind them. The party was in full swing.
They helped themselves to wine, and Daniel scarfed down a chocolate as they searched for Lexi in the crowd.
A woman disengaged from a group and headed over to them. “Daniel, Amy, hi.”
She waited while Daniel hugged his sister happy birthday. She’d known Lexi as long as she’d known Daniel. She was two years younger than her brother and looked like a feminine version of him—tall and beautiful, with tumultuous blond curls that fell past her shoulders. She was as charismatic as Daniel, but while he was laid-back, Lexi was frenetic in her style. No wonder Daniel had succumbed so quickly to her request to do the exhibition. She was one tough woman to say no to.
Amy gave Lexi a kiss on her cheek and tipped her cup in her direction. “Here’s to a happy birthday and a great year.”
Lexi raised her own cup and smiled. “Thanks.” She winked at Daniel. “I hope we all have a great year.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Daniel answered, and they all sipped.
“Danno, you remember Jack, don’t you?” Lexi asked, pulling them into her group of friends.
Within minutes, Amy had been introduced to at least fifteen people. Her head boggled trying to remember their names. A chilly wind blew a strand of hair into her eyes. She pushed it away and nestled into her jacket.
“Cold?” Daniel slid his arm around her shoulder.
“A little.” She burrowed into her friend’s warmth.
Although she couldn’t put her finger on it, something about him seemed different. Something was way more…appealing than usual. It wasn’t just the hair, which the wind had now tousled, leaving it spiked at peculiar angles. Nor was it the dark blond bristles shadowing his jawline. It wasn’t his clothes, either, although no one filled a pair of jeans like Danny did. They hugged his ass, reinforcing Maggie’s assessment of how great it was. The navy jumper he wore set off the clear blue of his eyes to perfection.
Something about her friend was…different.
“You know, I’m not used to your hair like that, but I’ve got to say, you look pretty damn sexy.”
“I do?” He looked at her with a surprised grin.
“Yeah, you’ve got that look about you, like you’ve tumbled out of bed… Aha, that’s what you were doing before you came to fetch me. Who is she, then? When do I get to meet your latest conquest?” She joked as she fired the questions, but for some reason, jealousy tickled her ribs.
She’d never been jealous of Daniel’s girlfriends before. Never. So why now?
Maybe her earlier attack of lust had thrown her off balance. Maybe that same desire was skewing her thought processes. She didn’t give a shit if Daniel was sleeping with a new woman.
“I’ve been developing photos all day,” he said with exaggerated patience. “I’m allowed to look…unkempt. Doesn’t mean I had a little rough and tumble before collecting you.”