Page 10 of Close to My Heart

“You can’t do one without the other.”

“Maybe not at Rosesmith Estate, but at my place, it’s low key.”

“Not anymore it isn’t.” Sutton grinned, and I wondered if she was avoiding thinking about her issues in favor of tackling mine. If so, I was all for it.

I nodded toward the water and pill bottle on the nightstand. “Take the pills.”

“Of course, Dr. Calloway.”

My lips twitched. “I like the sound of that.”

“Officer Calloway sounds better,” Sutton said softly as she opened the bottle and popped a pill into her mouth, chasing it with water.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Her family had discouraged her from being friends with me because I wasn’t part of their social circle. It had only gotten worse when I chose my profession.

She finished her food, and I removed the tray, setting it down on the nightstand.

“Your phone is blowing up with messages.”

Sutton rolled her eyes as she settled onto the pillows. “That’s my mom. She wants me to get started on picking a suitable bachelor.”

“She doesn’t know you were in an accident?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Why would it matter if she did?”

And that was the unfortunate truth that settled like a brick in my stomach. Sutton was coming to me last night because I was the only one who showed genuine emotion when it came to her.

“Mom claims to be vetting them for me. Only men interested in marrying me for a piece of the Rosesmith Estate will be considered.”

My blood ran cold. “She’s only going to attract the worst kind of men if she puts that out there. Ones who only want the money. They won’t care about you.”

Sutton shrugged. “That’s the way it works. You think my mom married my dad for love? She wanted the money he stands to inherit. It’s no different.”

I sat on the edge of the bed near her hip. “This sucks.”

Sutton’s eyes were suspiciously shiny, but she rarely cried in front of me. Then she closed her eyes and sighed. “Do you think we could cut down a tree and forget what a shitshow my life has become.”

I chuckled. “I’d be happy to do that.”

When I moved to get up, Sutton snagged my wrist. “You’re the best friend I could ever ask for, Wes. Thank you for always being there for me.”

I stood, letting her hand drop away. “And I always will be.”

3

SUTTON

How had my life come to this? My mom was texting the names of eligible bachelors, complete with pictures and short bios, when all I wanted to do was forget about it. I wanted to spend the day with the Calloways and my favorite person, Wes.

I put on Wes’s sister’s clothes that I found in the drawers. They consisted of sweats and hoodies with their high school logo, but I appreciated not having to put on the cashmere sweater and designer jeans I wore to dinner last night.

When I opened the bathroom door, Wes sat on the bed, looking at his phone. He looked up, his mouth dropping open slightly. “I thought you’d wear your clothes.”

I laughed. “You think heels are good for walking the farm?”

“No, but that’s what you always wear.”

I wondered if that’s what he thought of me, a high maintenance girl who couldn’t let loose. “I’m capable of dressing casually.”

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