“Dance with me, Liza.”
My head was telling me not to take his hand, but my heart seemed to be running the show. I placed my hand in his and Walker took us out onto the dance floor. I took deep breaths, preparing to be close to his body. When I woke this morning to find that Walker had held me all night, I was so pissed that I’d fallen asleep so fast. I’d slept the best I’d slept in months, and I knew why. I was in the arms of the man I’d loved since childhood.
Walker spun me around once and pulled me to him as I laughed.
“Do you remember how good we were together?” He said. When I made a face, he quickly blurted, “I mean how good we danced together.”
I looked away as I nodded. “I remember,” I said, biting the inside of me cheek.
Hunter Hayes song “Storyline” was playing. Walker put his hand on my neck, pulling me closer as we took off two-stepping. It didn’t take long for us to fall back into sync. I saw my father talking to a few older men. He did a double-take when he saw Walker and me. I gave him a quick wave. He smiled and waved back. Then it happened. The fast song stopped, and a slow song began to play. The heavens were not on my side, it seemed.
Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” began playing and Walker held me closer to him. I buried my face in his chest. I couldn’t bear the thought of looking at him. His touch alone was beginning to bring my defenses down. Keith. I’m engaged to Keith. Well…not really. I haven’t said yes.
Walker moved his hand softly up and down my back. I sucked in a breath as the craziest feelings zipped through my body. I’d never really gotten over Walker. I’d just pushed my feelings down for so long, convincing myself that I was okay.
I pulled back and looked into Walker’s eyes. It was as if the entire room disappeared and it was just the two of us. He gently placed his hand on the side of my face.
“You look so beautiful tonight, Liza. You’re absolutely breathtaking. No other woman in this room holds a candle to you.”
I tried to hold back a sob. If only Keith had said those words to me.
I tried to talk, but all that came out was an awkward sound. I cleared my throat and whispered, “Thank you. You look…so handsome.”
I wanted to reach up and feel his face, rough with stubble. I needed him to touch me so badly that I wanted to cry out. His eyes fell to my lips and I licked them, anticipating the kiss I knew he wanted to share. He slowly leaned in, and I moaned quietly. His lips barely brushed against mine, and I sucked in a breath. “Walker…” I whispered.
“Liza,” he said against my lips. “You’ll never know how much I wish we hadn’t…”
“Walker?”
My father’s voice made Walker let go of me. He took a step back as he removed his cowboy hat and pushed his hand through his hair. My breathing was erratic and I felt dizzy. Now we’d almost kissed twice in the last two days. And twice we’d been stopped. Fate was stepping in—we both needed to listen.
I swallowed as I turned to see my father. The look in his eyes said it all.
“Taylor, are you ready to head back to the McMurphys’?”
My father only ever called me Taylor when he was upset or disappointed. And he’d just called me Taylor. My eyes darted back to Walker. He looked like he was about to puke. I knew the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint my father.
“Um…sure,” I said.
My father had decided we’d stay this evening instead of traveling back to the resort. I turned and headed for the table. Then it hit me—I’d had a lot of alcohol. Damn it.
My father held the truck door open for me as I climbed into the cab. When I glanced out the window, I saw Walker walking to the rental truck. I leaned my head on the seatback and sighed. Daddy got in and shut the door, started the truck, and pulled out. The entire ride back to the ranch was in dead silence. I could feel his questions burning.
When he pulled up and put the truck in park, he dragged in a deep breath. “Liza? I just need to know something.”
My lower lip twitched as I tried to hold back tears. I stared straight ahead, watching the lights of Walkers truck as it came down the drive.
“Are you in love with Walker?”
My jaw trembled. “Yes.”
“Are you in love with, Keith?”
The tears could no longer be held at bay. I let them fall freely as I turned to my father.
“Not…like…I…I love…Walker.” I cried as my father pulled me closer. I buried my face in his chest. “Daddy, please tell me what to do. I don’t know what to do. I’ve never stopped loving him. Please tell me what to do.”
“Shh…it’s okay, baby girl. I promise you, it’s okay.”