Page 52 of I Found You
We don’t need to make a big deal out of it.
It was just a onetime thing.
Don’t even worry about it. I completely understand that you don’t think of me like that. That I’m not your type.
We’re still friends, right? Hug it out— No, don’t hug it out. That would put him too close to me.Maybe just shake on it?
Ugh.
I ran my sweaty hands over my bare thighs. My light pink dress had a sweetheart neckline, and the bodice was tight-fitting until it reached my waist, where it flared out in a full skirt. I loved dresses with full skirts like this. They made me feel like a princess when I twirled in them. Feeling pretty always gave me a confidence boost, and right now, it was badly needed.
My phone dinged with a new message in the cup holder, where I stored it while I was driving. Good, something to distract me for another few seconds before I had to get out of the car. I unlocked the phone, and my stomach dipped.
Wyatt: How long are you planning on sitting in your car?
I huffed out a breath, and because my hands were jittery, I ran them through my hair, making sure everything was in place. Time to face the music.
Jane was all smiles as I took her from the back seat. I didn’t have my carrier with me, so I sat her on my hip like the big girl she was growing into and made my way into the garage.
The fluorescent lighting was harsh, and the smells of oil or grease or something that was distinctly car related permeated the air. The place was spotless, the floors gleaming with a fresh coat of paint and the bays empty except for Jackson’s truck. Both guys were there, Jackson on the ground under the vehicle, just his legs showing, Wyatt bent over the hood. His head snapped up at the sound of the metal door closing.
He straightened, his broad chest rising and falling with his every breath. And with every one of his breaths, he stole mine away. His black T-shirt was pulled taut to him, making his arms look like they were going to bust it open.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll just stay right here, where I don’t have to watch you two awkwardly eye fuck each other,” Jackson said. I hadn’t even seen him get out from under the truck, but now he was on the ground again, going right back under.
Wyatt kicked his foot as he started to make his way toward me. “So, you made it inside, I see,” Wyatt said.
“I did. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
His eyes darkened, and he opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but instead, he closed his mouth and nodded his head once, gesturing to the small office space on the left.
I opened the office door and stopped in my tracks. It was completely destroyed. Papers were strewn about everywhere. The computer monitor was smashed on the floor. The filing cabinet was tilted forward; the only thing stopping it from tipping over was the chair.
Wyatt came in front of me quickly. “Yeah. I haven’t gotten around to cleaning up in here yet. After spending days cleaning the garage, I needed a break before I started on this mess.” He moved around the space efficiently, righting the cabinet and making a space for me to sit in the chair. Hestomped on the paperwork without a care in the world, so I did the same, acting like they weren’t even there.
He sat on the desk, looking devilishly hot, and stared down at me. I knew it was up to me to start this—I was the one who came to him. I think the expectation was that I would talk, but I couldn’t form a single coherent thought now that I was in front of him.
Just as I opened my mouth to start, Wyatt leaned forward and plucked Jane from my hands. Holding her in front of him, he whispered to her, “Hey, beautiful girl, I’ve missed you.” He kissed her on the nose and settled her onto his lap. He looked lighter, happier, with her in his arms.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said just as I said, “I’m so sorry, Wyatt.”
“Why are you sorry? I’m the one that’s sorry,” he said.
“Oh my goodness, Wyatt. You have nothing to be sorry about. I never should have jumped you like that. You were drunk, and I basically mauled you. I feel so awful.” My eyes were wet with emotion. I was trying so hard to hold it together. “I know it doesn’t mean anything to you—”
He stopped me, fire blazing in his eyes. “I was not drunk, Maeve. I knew exactly what I was doing. I wanted to. I wanted you. And I thought you wanted it too. I never would have touched you if I didn’t think you wanted me to. You have to know that, Maeve. I had a nice buzz, enough that I knew I shouldn’t drive, but it doesn’t matter how much I drink, there is never going to be a moment that I put my hands on someone who doesn’t want it. I have no idea what happened afterwards, but I truly thought you wanted it too.”
“I did want to. I’ve wanted you for so long, Wyatt. But you can’t tell me if the situation was reversed that you would havelet us go there. If I was the one drunk and you were sober. You know you wouldn’t. I never should have done that to you.” Tears were streaming down my face as I made my apology to him. I buried my face in my hands as a sob racked my body.
“Look at me, doll.” His voice held a command that my body reacted to on instinct. I pulled my tear-streaked face up to meet his. “What, on God’s green earth, would make you think I didn’t want to fuck you up against that wall?”
I shrugged my shoulder, too embarrassed to confess my insecurities to a man like him. He was so beautiful. He’d probably never had a single moment of insecurity in his entire life.
“Not good enough, Maeve,” he said, staring down at me. His face was a thundercloud of emotions. I couldn’t tell if he was hurt, concerned, or angry. Maybe all three. “What happened the other night?”
“You never took my clothes off. Like you didn’t want to see what you were having sex with,” I confessed quietly, my eyes trained on my hands in my lap.
I felt his fingers softly trail through my hair by my ear before he gripped the back of my head and pulled it toward his. He moved to kneel beside me, Jane held against his chest. Her little fingers were grasping at his hair. I tried to focus my attention there rather than look him in the eye, but he wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily.
