It's Always Been You

The Firing Squad

I rubbed my hands together anxiously, trying to dispel the nervous energy thrumming through my veins as I looked up at Wes. "You ready for this?"

He quirked one eyebrow teasingly, amusement dancing in his warm eyes despite the tense situation. Somehow, he seemed utterly unruffled-a stark contrast to my own frazzled state. "Don't worry about me, sweetheart. The real question is, are you ready to face the firing squad?"

I let out a shaky breath that was half-laughter, half-disbelief at how calm and collected he appeared. Trying to laugh it off did nothing to ease the knot of dread in my stomach. "It's ridiculous that I'm this anxious about seeing my own family, right? I must sound completely insane."

Wes shrugged nonchalantly before closing the distance between us, his hands coming to rest on my upper arms in a steadying grip. The moment his fingers made contact, I could feel the tension slowly bleed out of my rigid muscles under his reassuring touch.

"You've got this, Fia," he stated with quiet confidence, holding my gaze intently. "That's why I'm here-to be your personal peacekeeper-of sorts-through all the family drama."

"Peacekeeper?" I echoed, one eyebrow raised skeptically even as part of me melted a little at the protective determination in his tone.

Wes nodded firmly. "Yep. Just squeeze my hand whenever you feel yourself about to snap or lash out. I'll be there to change the subject or diffuse the tension before things get too heated." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as a teasing smirk played across his full lips. "Or if an argument does break out, I could always just kiss you to shut you up instead."

My mouth dropped open in a soundless scoff as heat flooded my cheeks. I quickly recovered enough to shove him away from me with an embarrassed laugh. "Very funny, Wes. You were actually being helpful for a second there."

He only grinned cheekily in response, not even having the decency to look abashed at his suggestive comment.

Clearing my throat, I decided to move past his flirtatious remark and get down to strategy. "Okay, you should know that my sister loves nothing more than to brag endlessly about her own life accomplishments or anything that allows her to self-aggrandize."

"Got it," Wes replied with a confident nod and smile. "So she and Adam recently went to Bali for some volunteer program teaching English, right? And didn't Ralph Lauren personally design her wedding dress?"

I blinked owlishly, thoroughly impressed by his sharp memory and attention to detail. "Wow-you really do pick up on things quickly, don't you?"

Wes's grin morphed into a smug smirk as he gave me an unmistakable once-over. "I can do a lot of things quickly, if that's what's wanted, love."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes dramatically as I shot him an exasperated look. "Don't be gross. Anyway, speaking of Adam, he's the subtle, humble-bragging type who wants his superiority acknowledged and ego stroked at every opportunity."

Wes made an exaggerated gagging sound, rolling his eyes right back at me. "Yeah, yeah, I got that one covered too. Just keep complimenting his success and accomplishments at the law firm to feed his massive ego, right?"

"Ugh, what a lovely, well-matched pairing those two make," I muttered sarcastically.

"And your dad is the typical workaholic businessman who loves talking about-well, work and business, I'm assuming?"

I nodded in confirmation. "You've got the right idea there."

"Okay, and what about your mom?" Wes asked, his expression turning more serious as he studied me intently. "What can I expect from her?"