It's Always Been You

Swept Up

As soon as Wes had pulled me away from the foyer where we had just danced and kissed, he brought me off to the side where we could get away from the crowd.

Just as he had turned to look at me, Sage broke in and pulled me away.

"Wha-"

Sage didn't wait as she pulled me with her into the dining room. "Please don't make your mother introduce me to any more people on my own. You know how Ms.Gilbert never stops talking."

I didn't have the chance to say anything to Sage. Not only because I was still in complete shock from what just happened between Wes and I, but also because the next thing I knew was that Sage and I were standing in front of Mrs.Gilbert.

She was a short and very old lady who was in love with all things cats. Once she started talking, she never stopped.

Mrs.Gilbert pulled me down to her height to hug me and as soon as she did, I knew there was no way of getting out of the very brutally long conversation she was about to pull Sage and I into.

Eventually the night had come to an end and the last of the guests had headed out. The caterers and maids got to work, cleaning up the house.

I hadn't gotten to see Wes the rest of the night. We kept getting swept away by other people, technically being the hosting family so we had too many people to lend our company and small talk to.

I heaved out a heavy breath, my feet killing and whole body worn out and exhausted. I finally got up to my room and was ready to pass out.

I opened the door, dropping my heels on the ground as soon as I stepped in.

I looked up to see Wes who was sitting on the end of my bed, fiddling with his thumbs. He looked up when he saw me, his eyes soft

I slowly closed the door behind me, hesitant to walk towards him. "Hey," I exhaled. "The night it finally over with."

"Not quite yet," he mumbled quietly. It seemed like he was saying that more to himself than me. He stood up, taking a step closer towards me. "We should talk."

I nodded my head, agreeing. Both of us were very clearly reluctant and hesitant, not sure where to start or what to say. "What was that?"

Wes looked down sheepishly, gathering his thoughts before looking at me again. "I want to say that it was for show. Too many eyes on us and we do have to be convincing."

I nodded slowly, biting the inside of my cheek. My whole body was on the verge of buckling over and falling to the ground. My stomach was spinning, my mind was a mess filled with too much anxiety for me to think straight.

"Right," I spoke quietly. "We knew we would have to kiss at some point, right? We are supposed to be dating."

Wes nodded his head hesitantly, slowly. "We got swept up in the heat of the moment and... it was good timing?"

I exhaled deeply, my breath coming out shakily. "Yeah. That is what happened. Right?"

Wes sucked in his bottom lip, pausing. He looked at me with his warm eyes just searching through mine. I could tell he felt somewhat lost himself.

"I suppose."

I nodded, taking a few breaths. "I mean, obviously." I forced a laugh. "Our friendship would be totally ruined if... I mean, you know. The dating is just for show, we're just friends."

Wes pursed his lips, a frown nearly about to show but he shook his head and offered me a smile. It wasn't heartfelt though, I could tell. "Yeah," he spoke quickly. "Friends, right. Things just get confusing because we're pretending all day long."

"Right." But were we really?

I mean I knew we were lying to an extent and pretending to be dating but... a lot of it didn't seem forced. The small gestures, holding hands, him pulling me towards him or having an arm around me. None of that felt like it was pretend. It just kind of happened naturally. Like it was normal.

But no, Wes was right. We were pretending to be in-love and dating. We were just friends.

I was the friend who set Wes up on dates with other girls, trying to find him the perfect match. Wes was the one who comforted me and was there for me through my relationship mess with Nate and then throughout the breakup.

Wes avoided my gaze, his demeanor seeming to have fallen. "I should go take a shower before bed."

I nodded, watching him as he headed into the bathroom.

I took off my makeup with some wipes as quickly as I could, changing and getting into bed before Wes had finished his shower.

It seemed to be the smartest idea. If I got into bed and attempted to fall asleep within sixty seconds, or even if I continued to pretend to sleep while Wes was taking a shower, we wouldn't have to deal with any post-kiss awkwardnesses.

So that's what I did.

After a while, I heard Wes open the bathroom door and step out. I was still awake but kept my eyes shut and pretended to be asleep.

Wes closed the light. I felt the bed dip as he got in beside me. My body tensed up but I did the best I could to keep my breathing even.

As long as we didn't have to have a very awkward conversation where neither one of us knew what to say, I was fine. We could deal with all of this tomorrow or any other time really.

I heard Wes sigh softly. I was lying on my side and judging from his warm and minty breath that very lightly fanned my face, I knew he was also lying on his side and facing me.

I almost flinched when I felt the back of his index finger very gently graze down the side of my face. His touch was so gentle and warming, somehow bringing a tingling feeling to where ever he touched.

"What are you doing to me, Fia?" His voice was so quiet, in something not much than a whisper. I almost missed it completely.

Then, I felt him move forward. My breath hitched in my throat for a second until I felt his lips plant a small kiss on my forehead before he moved back.

"Goodnight, love."