Page 51 of Say You Want Me
I grab my phone to see what time he thinks he’ll be home and see I have a message.
Wyatt: Go to Presley’s house. I’ll pick you up there at seven.
Umm, that’s weird. Why the hell would I go there? Are we going on a double date?
Me: Why?
Wyatt: Because I said so, woman.
I let that slide for now. But later, after I find out what he has up his sleeve, I’m going to make sure he hears all about him bossing me around. That shit won’t fly here.
Me: I’m already dressed. It makes no sense.
Wyatt: Since you must know . . . I want to pick you up. I want to drive to a house, knock on the door, have you take your sweet ass time answering, and take you out. So get your butt to Presley’s and wait.
My God.
There’s only one response that I can say to him.
My fingers type across the screen.
Me: You trying to get laid tonight?
Wyatt: You’ve made me wait long enough.
I laugh. He’s been patient, but this has been hell on me. I swear, pregnancy messes with every part of you.
Me: Maybe tonight you’ll get lucky in more than one way.
I toss my phone in my purse, deciding I don’t want to see if he responds. It’s so much more fun this way. I grab my sweater and look myself over in the mirror. Instead of wearing a dress, I opted for jeans, since they still fit, and a really cute olive green top. I curled my hair so it hangs down my back in soft waves. I dress it up with a pair of heels and one of my favorite chunky necklaces. Without knowing where we’re going, this is the best outfit I could muster.
On the ride over to Presley’s, I call Erin and go over the details of the building she found. She emailed me yesterday, but I didn’t know what to say. The longer I’m here . . . the less confident I am about my being able to actually leave. Therefore, I’ve put off making any decisions regarding the expansion.
“Angie, we need to move fast. We can’t drag our feet.” Erin releases an exasperated sigh. “I have to make an offer.”
“I’m not sold.” It’s not a lie, but I also know it’s a pretty phenomenal space. It’s almost double what we have now in Media and has an area we could use for some tables, which our store doesn’t have now.
Erin doesn’t say anything. I wait her out, knowing that she’s one who has to think things through. It’s one of the reasons I brought her on. She’s extremely business savvy and always leads with her mind, never her heart, other than with the men she dates. I can tend to be a little more impulsive.
She clears her throat. “I understand you’re going through a life changing event. I’m trying to be really understanding.”
“You have been—”
“Right,” she interrupts me. “You’re my partner, though. I invested a lot of money into this company. We’ve had some huge opportunities, and I think we have to capitalize on them. Now, I see it can go two ways.” This isn’t going to be good. “You can give me the control of this project and allow me to do what I feel is right, or we table this whole thing.”
Now, I have to be the owner. Yes, we’re partners, but I’m the owner and founder. I put the car in park as I arrive at Presley and Zach’s. “I’m well aware of the position we’re in. However, I told you I needed three months. We agreed, Erin. I’ll keep doing what I can from here, but I’m not going to sign off on a location that I’ve never seen. It’s unfair to do this to me when I’ve been gone just under a month.”
“I’m not trying to be unfair,” she quickly interjects. “I don’t want to blow this chance.”
I get that. I don’t either, but I’m making concessions left and right in my personal life and her making me choose right now is going to push me over the edge. I’m just getting my footing with Wyatt, things aren’t secure and until they are, I need my business to stay the same. “I’m not saying no, Erin. I’m saying that I need the time we agreed upon. I need to be there when we choose a location.”
I also need to figure out how deep I am with this man.
“So you want to table the expansion?” Erin’s voice raises slightly. “Because if we pass on this space, we’re clearly not moving forward.”
Is that what I want? Am I really willing to give this up for him? Right now, yes. I am. Even if it doesn’t work out, this is the most I’ve ever felt for someone. My heart races when he touches me, and everything settles when I’m in his arms. The fact that I’m even questioning it says something. I’m not the girl who goes all mushy at some boy. I’m the girl who stands strong behind my independence. I don’tneeda man. But I want Wyatt.
Damn it.
