Wild about Weston (The English Brothers Book 5) by Katy Regnery Page B

“What happened to you?”
    “My face ran into Weston’s fist.”
    She gave Weston a look. “Do I want to know why?”
    “No,” Alex and Weston replied in unison.
    “Did he deserve it?” she asked.
    “Yes,” they replied.
    “Okay, then,” said Jessica, turning to the bartender. “A Bass, please.”
    Weston grinned, turning away from the bar to look out over the ballroom. Couples filled the dance floor, including Stratton and Val, who looked completely besotted with each other. Here and there people sat at their tables in small groups, chatting, or waiting for dinner to be served, while still more people milled around, talking in small groups.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Weston caught sight of a redhead in a black dress making her way through the crowd toward Daisy and Fitz, and suddenly his feet couldn’t move fast enough.
    ***
    “Thank you so much for inviting me today,” said Molly, holding Daisy’s hands after giving her a careful hug and kiss.
    “You aren’t leaving, are you?”
    “I-I think I am,” said Molly, cringing a little.
    Out of nowhere, Weston suddenly appeared at Daisy’s side, smiling a five thousand kilowatt smile in Molly’s direction.
    “Hi, again,” he said.
Molly’s stomach fluttered and her heart skipped a beat. It was the first time she’d seen him in full light—not the dim light of the bar, the moonlight on the stairs, or the soft bedside light of his bedroom—and he was so beautiful, her breath caught. He looked like Alex Pettyfer on a bad day. He looked delicious.
    “H-Hi,” she managed, chuckling softly for no reason as her cheeks flushed with warmth.
    Daisy squeezed her hands. “Can I meet Dusty before you go? I’ve heard so much about him.”
    Molly’s eyes cut to her friend’s, her mouth opening in dismay. “Oh. Oh, um, I…well, he couldn’t make it.”
    “What? Oh, no! Is he all right? Is everything okay?”
    Daisy searched Molly’s face before furrowing her brows together delicately. Dropping her eyes to their joined hands, she gently turned over Molly’s left hand, sucking in a quiet breath to find the fourth finger empty. “Oh, Molly.”
    Molly pulled her hands away, licking her lips nervously and darting a quick glance to Weston, who watched the interaction with interest and confusion, and finally…compassion.
    “It’s fine,” she said lightly, forcing herself to smile. “Some things aren’t meant to be. Unlike you and Fitz, who look so happy today.”
    Fitz drew his wife against his side, kissing the coiled braids on her head tenderly, but Daisy’s sympathetic eyes still reached out to Molly.
    “I’m sorry, Molly.”
    “Oh, no, please,” she said, horrified to feel her eyes watering. “It’s your day. The happiest day. That’s all that matters.”
    “Hey, Molly …Are we still on for that drink before you go?”
    Molly gratefully turned her head to look at Weston, who wore an easy smile. Deceptively easy, because behind it, Molly read empathy and kindness. He knew she was about to cry. He could see it, or somehow sense it, and he offered her an escape.
    “Yes,” she answered, blinking. She turned back to Daisy, offering the best smile she could. “You’re so beautiful, Daisy. Congratulations.”
    Grateful for Weston’s hand under her elbow, while incredibly humiliated by the way he just found out she’d been dumped by her fiancé, she couldn’t bear to look at him as he steered them out of the ballroom once again. An hour ago, he’d led her upstairs with sparks leaping between them. This time, he was less hurried, more gentle, and sparks? Well, it’s hard to make sparks when you’re about to turn on the waterworks.
    “I know where your room is. I’ll just go sit by myself for a minute and get myself together,” whispered Molly as they climbed up the stairs. “You don’t have to come with me.”
    “Yeah, I do.” He ran his hand down her forearm until he found her fingers and laced his with hers. “Why didn’t you