Page 31 of The Bride's Secret

“Never have.”

“I like that in a woman.”

She eyed him. “Now, I think you and I could have something, but I’m not going anywhere near that mess you’re in, not until it’s all figured out and has been for many months.”

He snorted. “I can’t say I blame you. I’ve never run so many miles on a treadmill in such a short amount of time, trying to deal with all this.”

“You’re lovely, Wyatt. Most women think guys like you don’t exist anymore. I wish you the best in your personal life. And much success in our new business relationship.” She stressed the word business and Wyatt nodded in acceptance. “I do apologize for that unfortunate evening and misunderstanding.”

“Makes for a great story. Some day.”

She stood so he joined her, and he was relieved they left on excellent terms. At least one time-bomb averted.

When his car pulled back into the hotel, Carisa and Heath were running across the parking lot toward an awaiting shuttle, hand in hand. Her face was full of laughter, and they looked about as close to carefree as a couple could be.

And his heart fell.

Maybe. That’s all he could guess. Maybe Heath had decided to change. Maybe Carisa had agreed to try again. Wyatt would do well to stay as far away as possible until they worked it out between them.

He ran a hand through his hair. But that kiss. He couldn’t even think about it without wanting to go running after them. What was his role here? Win her back? Wait to see what kind of woman Carisa was, as Bellami hinted, or something in between?

After a moment’s more hesitation, his driver waiting for the signal to open his door, Wyatt decided to lay low, almost invisible and see how the chips landed.

Chapter 14

Carisa studied the side of Heath’s face while he answered texts on the bus ride to their sunset cruise. After the initial shock and the awkwardness with Wyatt in the elevator, Carisa admitted she was happy to see Heath. Not happy to see him like she wanted to marry him, but genuinely happy to spend some time with him. She was grateful for the chance to make things right by him. Leaving a guy hanging like that at his wedding was uncool on so many levels she’d battled guilt about it since she left. He was handsome. Women checked him out everywhere they went. But besides friendship, besides relief that she could now talk things through with him, she just wasn’t attracted to him anymore.

Not once she’d spent time with Wyatt.That kiss.Her face burned at the memory. She’d tried not to think about it in front of Heath but images of his face, his mouth, the feel of his hands on her back, came back to haunt her during surprising moments. Like the first time Heath leaned in to kiss her.

She snorted.

Heath looked up. “What? Is there something on my face?” He held up his phone camera to check himself out.

Her non-answer went unnoticed.

His phone dinged and a face filled the screen, a woman’s pouty red lips took up the majority of the screen shot.

Heath smiled then dismissed the call.

“Who’s that?”

“Huh?” He turned to her, then pocketed his phone. “Just someone I met.”

“Where?”

“Look, babe, you left. What was I to do? I was pretty devastated by the whole thing to tell you the truth, and she offered some company. Just drinks. Didn’t mean anything.”

Carisa had no right to feel anything at all about this girl. But she began to put together lots of hints and clues she’d noticed the whole time she was with Heath. “Did you guys get together?”

“What?” He wouldn’t look her in the face.

“You did.”

He looked out the window then faced her. “I need to talk to you about some things I’m not proud of.” He looked around them. She followed his eyes. No one seemed to be paying attention. “Before, I didn’t think I was really ready to get married.”

“You’re the one who pushed things.”

“I know. I wanted to be married to you… some day. I just wasn’t ready for the whole commitment part of it all.”

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