Daisy Hartley

The morning sun filters through the wide windows of the bridal suite, bathing everything in soft, golden light. It's early, but the energy in the room is already buzzing with excitement and nerves. Makeup brushes are whirling, hair irons sizzle, and dresses in every shade of blush, cream, and ivory hang carefully along the wall.

I'm here with the bride and her bridesmaids, going over the last minute adjustments to the dresses, making sure everything is perfect.

"Daisy, this is gorgeous." Sophia says as she looks at her reflection in the floor length mirror.
Her wedding dress, a masterpiece of lace and satin, hugs her figure in all the right ways, and the soft tulle skirt gives her the ethereal look she dreamed of. "You're a genius. Honestly, I don't know how you pulled this off."

I smile, warmth spreading through me. "It's all you, Sophia. I just made the fabric match your beauty." I say.

It feels good to be here. To be apart of this day, even though I've still got that strange knot of nerves twisting in my stomach.

"Okay ladies, we're officially running behind schedule." One of the makeup artists calls out, clapping her hands to get our attention. "We need to get the bride finished up, and you bridesmaids need to be in your dresses."

Sophia gives me a quick squeeze on the arm before she's swept back into the whirlwind of makeup, hair, and jewelry, and I take a step back, relieved to have a moment to breathe.

I head to the far end of the room, where my things are scattered across a small vanity, and check my own appearance in the mirror.
But as I smooth down my hair, something in my reflection betrays me. My eyes are tense, and I can't quite shake the gnawing feeling in my chest.

Maybe it's just the wedding day pressure. Weddings are emotional, and I'm here in a professional capacity. That's all this is.

"Daisy, can you help with this zipper?" one of the bridesmaids calls out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I rush over, helping her zip up her dress and adjusting the straps. As I do, I try to focus on the task at hand, keeping my hands busy.
Sophia's voice breaks through the noise. "Daisy, you're coming to the reception, right? I won't take no for an answer. You've been such a huge part of this day, and I want you to enjoy yourself, too."

I smile, nodding. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

She beams at me before being pulled away again by her bridesmaids, and I make my way to the door, hoping to catch a quiet moment before the ceremony.
I slip out into the hallway, the cool air a welcome relief from the bustling energy in the bridal suite.

As I walk toward the reception hall, my phone buzzes in my hand, a text from Sarah checking in on how things are going. I'm about to respond when I hear footsteps approaching behind me. I turn, expecting a bridesmaid, but instead, I see a tall figure in a dark suit.

My heart skips a beat.

No. It can't be.

Gray.

I freeze, my breath catching in my throat as he steps into view, looking every bit as devastating as I remember. His dark hair is slightly longer than the last time I saw him, and his suit is perfectly tailored, the deep navy of the fabric bringing out the sharpness of his eyes. He's just as striking, just as magnetic, and just as dangerous to my heart as he was months ago.

Panic flares in my chest, and my hands tremble. I feel like the ground is shifting beneath me, and I don't know how to stand steady.

What is he doing here? How did I not know?

I back up a step, but it's too late, he's already seen me. His eyes lock onto mine, and for a brief moment, everything around us disappears. He is as surprised as me.
The noise of the wedding preparations, the laughter and chatter, all of it fades into nothing. It's just me and Gray, standing in this hallway, with the weight of everything that's happened between us hanging in the air.

He takes a step closer, and I can't breathe. I can't think. I need to get out of here.
"I...I can't." Is all I say before I turn on my heel and rush toward the reception hall.

I burst into the reception hall, the sight of the beautifully decorated space barely registering as I make a beeline for the bar. My hands are shaking so badly that when I reach for a glass of water, it slips from my fingers and crashes to the floor with a loud shatter.

Heads turn, and a few people gasp, but I can't focus on anything except the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. I mutter an apology, my cheeks burning as I try to step away from the mess.

I need to get out of here. I need to breathe.

I hurry toward the nearest exit, stumbling into the corridor that leads to the bathrooms. Pushing open the door, I rush inside and lean against the cool wall, trying to catch my breath. My chest feels tight, like it's being crushed under the weight of all the emotions I've been trying so hard to keep buried.

I slide down to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees as tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

Why is he here?

The pieces start to fall into place, and my stomach drops. This must be Noel's wedding. And where there's Noel, there's Gray. Of course.
How could I be so stupid?

I squeeze my eyes shut, the tears spilling over now. I thought I was prepared for this, thought I'd moved on, or at least buried the pain deep enough that I could handle seeing him again. But seeing him, standing there so effortlessly, looking at me like no time had passed... it hurts. It hurts more than I thought it would.

I don't know how long I sit there, curled up on the bathroom floor, but eventually, I hear the door creak open. My breath catches, and I quickly wipe my eyes, and stand up, trying to pull myself together.

"Daisy?" a familiar voice calls softly.

It's Sophia.

I look up, trying to offer her a weak smile. "Did something happen?" I ask trying not to make it obvious that I cried. She doesn't notice thank god. She's too stressed about the wedding to notice anything right now.

"One of the straps on my bridesmaid broke! I need your help!" She panics and I follow her back to the room. It's an easy fix.
And they all head out to take some pictures before the ceremony starts.

Once they are gone, I take a deep breath. I glance at myself in the mirror, my eyes red rimmed and my makeup slightly smudged, but I've got no choice but to go back out there.

I can't hide in here until the ceremony ends. Besides I don't want Gray to think I still think about him. I don't want him to have this hold on me. So I'm going out there and proving to him and myself that I'm better off without him.
With one last shaky breath, I square my shoulders and step out into the hallway, ready to face him.

***

Guests are mingling, dancing, and enjoying the celebration, but I'm finding it hard to fully engage. My eyes, despite my best efforts, are drawn repeatedly to Gray, who stands beside Noah, fulfilling his role as best man.

Noah and Sophia are radiant as they make their grand entrance as newlyweds. The applause and cheers are deafening, and the first dance that follows is a beautiful moment that draws everyone's attention. I'm happy for Noah, he deserves every bit of joy. But my emotions are a tangled mess, the sight of Gray stirring up old wounds.

I try to keep myself occupied, chatting with guests and pretending to enjoy the evening. I grab a glass of champagne from the bar.

As I approach Noel, he's surrounded by a group of friends and family, all eager to congratulate him. His face lights up when he spots me.

"Daisy!" Noel exclaims, pulling me into a warm hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

I hug him back tightly, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "Congratulations, Noel. You look incredibly happy."

He laughs, his eyes twinkling with the same infectious energy he's always had. "And you look stunning as always. I've missed you."

"I missed you too," I admit, laughing as he pulls away. "It's been way too long."

Noel introduces me to some of the other guests, but my attention keeps drifting. The sight of him makes my heart pound, and I try to shake off the unease.

After a few more polite exchanges and congratulatory words, I excuse myself from Noah's circle. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I move toward the bar for another drink. I need something to calm my racing heart.

As I reach for another glass of champagne, my fingers tremble slightly. I accidentally knock over the drink, causing it to spill across the table. The sound of the glass shattering draws several curious glances, and I mutter a quick apology, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

In the midst of trying to clean up the mess, I hear a familiar, smooth voice behind me.

"Having some trouble?"

I turn around, and there he is, standing with that calm, collected demeanor. His eyes, however, are filled with a mixture of amusement and something I can't quite place.

I try to steady my voice. "Just a little mishap. Nothing I can't handle."

Gray steps closer, his presence both comforting and disconcerting. "Looks like you've had quite the night."

I raise an eyebrow, trying to maintain my composure. "And you're here to make it more interesting?"

He smirks, the playful glint in his eyes making it hard to stay mad. "I'm here to see if you're as good at avoiding me as you are at spilling drinks."

I can't help but let out a small, reluctant laugh. "Well, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Gray's gaze softens, and he takes a step closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I didn't expect to see you either. But here we are."

Before I can respond, a waiter arrives. I grab one champagne from him, trying to focus on something else. Gray watches me.

"You seem to be handling things pretty well," he says, his voice low. "Despite everything."

I turn to face him, my eyes red and puffy from the tears I've tried to hold back. "What do you want, Gray?"

The space between us feels electric, charged with the words we've left unsaid for months.
Gray's eyes don't leave mine, and the tension is unbearable.
We're both standing there, pretending not to care, pretending like the distance we've put between us means something. But it's all a lie. The anger, the hate, it's easier to hold onto that than the truth.

I take a deep breath, gathering strength. "Do you still think about...us?" I ask, and I know it's a stupid question. It's so stupid.
But I have to know. I need to know I'm not the crazy one here, since I'm constantly thinking about him.

For a second, just a brief second, I see something flicker in his eyes, something real. But then it's gone, replaced by the same cold expression I've come to expect.
"I try not to think of you at all." He says. I turn away looking over at the crowded dance floor.

Stay angry, I remind myself.

Gray runs a hand through his hair, looking away for the first time. His usual calm, collected demeanor seems to falter, just for a moment. When he looks back at me, his voice is lower, almost vulnerable. "You seem happy. Good for you."

I'm caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. "I am" I whisper, though I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince, him or myself.

We stand there, the air thick with everything we're too proud or too scared to say.
Gray runs a hand over his face, looking suddenly exhausted. "Why did you come here, Daisy? Why did you agree to do this? To make her dress, to be at Noah's wedding?"

I bite my lip, feeling trapped by the question. "I didn't know it was Noah's wedding at first. I found out too late, and I couldn't back out."

He raises an eyebrow, skeptical.
"So, you just conveniently ended up here, making dresses and playing nice? Spare me."

"It's not like that." I insist, my frustration bubbling over. "I didn't come here to see you, Gray. I came here because it's my job. Because Sophia is a friend, and she asked me."

Gray lets out a bitter laugh. "Right. So this has nothing to do with us, then?"

"No, it doesn't."

His gaze narrows, searching my face for any hint of the truth. I know he doesn't believe me. I can feel the tension, the pull between us, and it's killing me to stand here and pretend that we're not still tangled in each other's lives.

Gray takes a step closer, and I can feel the heat of him, the familiar electricity sparking between us. "I think you are lying Daisy. I think you know there is still something here." He says pointing between us.
Am I breathing?

I place my hand on his chest and push him further away from me.
"In your dreams Gray. I've moved on." I say this time more confident.

I'm a good liar.

Grays jaw clenches as he turns away from me. Hands in his pockets.

Sophia yells from the dance floor, waving her hands at us. "Hey! You two, the slow dance starts now, join us I don't want to dance alone!" She says from the center of the dance floor.
I put my hands on my forehead, massaging it. Exhausted from all of this. I just want to go home and forget it all.

"Gray ask the young lady to a dance!" Sophia yells. We stand beside each other awkwardly. It's not Sophia's fault. She doesn't know about us. About our past. She's just being herself. Wanting two people to join her and Noah at the dance floor.

I feel a warm hand on my back pushing me forward. "What are you doing?" I say turning to Gray.

"Dancing at my best friends wedding." He says grabbing my waist and turning me to him.
People are looking.
God what is he doing. I don't want him this close to me. I can't think. Can't speak.
He left me.
He left us. I don't want this.
"Get your hand off of me." I whisper, my voice low, warning. But instead of letting go he tightens his grip.
With his other hand he grabs my hand, sending shivers through my body. The feeling of his hand in mine brings back too many memories.
I let out a shake breath. Trying not to look at him.
He takes a step and I follow. Following his lead.

"Were at a wedding, let's not make a scene." He says calmly. How can he be so calm. I've lied to him. Hurt him.

"A scene? You think dancing with you isn't already a scene?" I say a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

I see Noel smiling from beside us. God that smart ass probably planned this. He had to know, right?
He knew we would meet.

Gray doesn't answer only pulls me closer as he guides me into another step.
My pulse quickens, and I hate how he affects me. How easily my body remembers the warmth of his touch. It's infuriating.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask. Refusing to look at him but I can feel his eyes on me, watching every breath, every bit of emotion in my face.
"Because, it's Noah's wedding. And I can't think of a better way to make you not run away." He admits.

I stiffen in his arms, finally facing him. "Running?" I spit the word out like it's poison.
"You're the one who left, Gray. You walked away. Not me." I say.

His jaw tightens. "Because you lied. For months you made me believe what we had was real." He says. The accusation hangs in the air between us, and I feel the familiar burn of guilt settling in my chest. But I'm tired of this, tired of blaming myself for it all. He was wrong too. "You didn't even give me a chance to explain. You just...left." I say my voice trembling with frustration.

"What was there to explain? You were a part of a game, Daisy. For months you lied to my face." He says.

I grit my teeth, trying to keep my voice steady as we move to the music.
"I was trapped. I didn't ask for this." I say.

"I shouldn't be here..." I murmur, more to myself but Gray hears me.

"But you are." He says. My gaze goes back to his face. For the first time since this conversation started, I let myself really look at him. The sharpness of his features, the cold detachment in his expression... but behind that something more. Deeper.

"You're still an asshole, you know that?" I say, now making him smile. God that smile.

"Cruel, beautiful thing." He says catching me off guard. I blink up at him unsure if I heard him right.
It's been a while since he's called me that. "What?" I say shocked.

Gray's gaze doesn't waver, his voice low and steady. "I knew I could never forget you, ever since I kissed you in that restaurant." He says.

Wait.

He knew? All this time, he knew?!

I open my mouth to say something, anything but the words doesn't come out. I have spent so long convincing myself that the kiss meant nothing to him, that he probably didn't even remember it. I looked different before Eleanor made me prettier.
"You remember?" I ask, my voice barley a whisper.

"How could I not? You slapped me across the face." He says and a laugh escapes my lips.
No. Daisy. Stop having fun with him. I'm supposed to be mad at him for leaving me.

The music stops and Gray steps back, his hand slipping from mine. The sudden loss of his touch feels like a punch to the chest.
He takes one last look at me, and in that moment I see everything we have been trying to avoid. The love, the pain, the regret. It's all there raw and exposed. But neither of us knows how to fix it.
I turn and walk away.
When I get outside I finally let my tears fall.

I love my babies❤️
Who's your favorite character in this story?

I have much planned for this story, so I hope you are ready for a lot of...drama.