I nod. “Just one, in the afternoon.”
Neither of us mentions what that means, though I know we’re both thinking about it. Me, in Grayson’s arms. Keeping up appearances for the cameras.
“You’ll be great.” Wyatt’s lips find my temple.
“Thanks. What are you up to?”
He sighs. “Unfortunately, I have a full schedule of meetings that will probably run late. And…”
“What?”
“I also have to talk to Caroline at some point.”
I blink, surprised. “Oh…Oh.”
“It’s not what you think. We were never serious. She always knew I had feelings for someone else.” His voice is full of stark honesty. “But I still feel like I owe her an explanation. I don’t want her waiting around for a call that isn’t ever going to come. Things have changed; it’s only fair I let her know.”
I look at him and see the worry in his eyes. I hate that he’s fearful of my reaction — hate that he thinks hearing this might make me bolt. I slide a hand over his heart and lean in close, so he can’t miss the truth in my words.
“You’re a good man, Wyatt Hastings.”
The worried look vanishes. A smile tugs at his mouth. “Can I take you to dinner afterward?”
“Of course. Dinner sounds good.” My lips twist mischievously. “But, instead of going out, maybe we could stay in… and cook…. and alsonotcook….”
His eyes glitter. “I like the way you think, baby.”
I nuzzle against his chest. He’s so warm, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn he’s got a thermal conductor under his skin.
His hand slides beneath my sweater, coming to rest directly against my stomach, right over the spot where my tiny dictator has taken up residence. I feel myself stiffen.
“Hey, you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, heart hammering. Trying not to think about the small nuclear bomb rooted inside me, ticking down on an invisible timer. About to explode my newfound happiness into bits of irreparable debris.
Only a matter of time.
I know I need to tell him. But in this perfect moment, I cannot find the words. I cannot bring myself to wreck the beauty of this fragile start between us. Not when it took us so long to find our way back to each other.
I swallow down the words.
I’ll tell him tomorrow,I think, relaxing against his chest again.One more day won’t change anything,
* * *
Wyatt dropsme off at my place on his way to work the next morning. I watch him drive off from the end of my driveway, already counting down the minutes until I’m back in his arms. When I spot the SUV parked under the tree in front of my garage, I brace myself for what’s to come but it’s ultimately useless. Prepping for Harper is like sheltering in place during a tornado. All you can do is close your eyes and hope like hell the roof doesn’t cave in.
“Hello?” I call, stepping inside my own house like a guest. “Harper? Masters? You here?”
I hear a sound to my left and jump about a foot when I see my best friend standing there, silently beaming at me from the archway of the kitchen.
“Jesus, Harper, you scared the crap out of me!”
“Sorry!” she sings, not looking at all apologetic. In fact, she looks downright giddy as she closes the gap between us, grabs my hand, and starts jumping up and down. “It happened! You and Wyatt!” Her expression twists and she stops jumping. “Wait… ThatwasWyatt you took off with the other night, wasn’t it? You haven’t been holed up somewhere with a long-haired lookalike in a mask?”
“Of course it was Wyatt,” I confirm, laughing.
The jumping starts up again. “I need to hear everything!”