Page 29 of Coffee Break with the Billionaire

“You know what else doesn’t feel good?” Fenella asks as she leans down to take another look. “When your mom is around but clearly doesn’t want to be. When she makes everything and everyone feel more important than you. But you wouldn’t know about that because you’ve got this really cool uncle and a great set of grandparents who consider you the most important thing in their world.”

There’s a long pause. “Yeah,” Wyatt says finally. “I do.”

“You do,” she agrees. “The mother thing has to suck, though. But focus on the good things that are going on with your life instead of dwelling on the bad stuff.”

“Is that what you do?”

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about myself.” And then she winks at Wyatt, who breaks into a fangirl—fanguy—smile.

“You’re a lot cooler than I thought you’d be,” he concedes.

“Oh, I am the coolest,” she corrects. “Want to do a selfie?” And she poses with him, both with big grins. “Tag me if you want to increase your followers. Oops, no don’t, or Uncle Silas will be upset with me. How did you find this spot?” she asks me.

“I’ve lived in Battle Harbour my entire life. There’s not a lot of spots that I don’t know about.”

“What’s your favourite spot?” she demands. “The best place to look at stars or bring girls or—”

Wyatt snorts. “He doesn’t bring girls anywhere.”

“Like I would tell you.”

“It’s a small town,” Wyatt says in a dry voice. “I’d know if you were dating.”

“I date.” I glance down at Fenella, who watches me with an expectant expression. “I date.”

A corner of her mouth lifts like she’s trying not to smile. “Where would be your favourite place to take a date then?”

Right here, but I don’t say that out loud. I’ve only brought one woman here and it didn’t mean much to her. That kind of spoiled it for anyone else, but now that Fenella seems to be enjoying herself…

“There are a couple of good restaurants in town,” I tell her.

“Really? You knowall the spotsand you’d take a girl to a restaurant?”

“Where’s that place you used to take Mia?” Wyatt is still looking into the telescope, so he doesn’t see my jolt from Mia’s name.

I hope Fenella doesn’t notice.

Four years, and I still react when I hear her name. I know that’s because I haven’t let myself move on, or get over her, or picture a future that doesn’t have her in it.

I feel the weight of Fenella’s gaze on me. I shrug.

“What about you?” she asks Wyatt. “Who are you dating?”

“I asked Brody to the Halloween dance.”

“I don’t know who that is, but sounds great.”

“Is that all that interests you?” Wyatt asks. “Who is dating is who?”

“Around here? I have to be interested in something.”

“Why are you here, then?”

“Because the guyIwas dating turned out to be an idiot. Let me have another turn.”

They take turns looking and pointing and I tell them what’s out there.

When she’s not looking through the lens, Fenella moves back to my side.

---