Page 56 of I Found You
“What? Why?” she asked. “You’re beautiful. Obviously caring and compassionate, taking in a baby in need. You’re smart, fun to be around. I literally can’t think of a single bad thing to say about you.”
A nervous laugh escaped me. Compliments were always a struggle for me to accept, but it was something I was working on. When someone said, “Hey, I like your dress,” I could respond with a simple thank-you without having to elaborate. But big compliments, personal ones that were about me, that was still pretty foreign. Wyatt had told me those same things just yesterday, but I had been so far removed from romance, or even solid friendships, for too long for it to be something that I felt accustomed to.
“What about you? Anyone special in your life?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“No. I was seeing some guy for a few months, but then I found out… get this…” She paused and met my eyes with an icy stare. “He was married.”
My stomach dipped. I knew I should have stayed clear of this conversation. Sweat coated my skin as I tried to figure out how to respond. “What? Really? You didn’t know that atthe beginning?”
“God, no. He told me he was divorced.” Her head lowered to her chest, her fingers slicing through the condensation collecting under our drinks. “Honestly, it was humiliating when I found out. I was at the market when I ran into him and his wife. They were shopping together. I didn’t even say anything to him I was so shocked. That night, he texted me to see if he could come by, like nothing happened. I know he saw me. We made full eye contact. And then he just pretends like it’s nothing. I blocked his number.”
I reached out and put my hand on hers. “There is absolutely nothing in that story that you should feel humiliated about. He sounds like a real jerk.”
“Yeah. I just can’t believe I bought it. All his stories. All his lies. I’m just so mad at myself. I really can pick ’em,” she sighed. “It’s like I have an unnatural attraction to unattainable men.”
“Well, screw him!” I yelled.
She let out a small laugh and picked up her drink to a toast. “Yeah, screw you, Jeff. I hope every shoe you own eats your socks while you walk.”
I brought my drink to clink against hers in a cheer. We were still laughing when I felt a familiar tug to look up. Luke and Wes were walking into the bar area, oblivious to us, but Wyatt’s attention was solely on me. A sly smile pulled at his lips before he gave in and let his full smile out. He walked toward our table, ignoring the other two.
“This looks like a good time,” he said as he came up to us, gesturing at the number of glasses. I was on my second margarita, and Scarlett had just started her third beer. “Is this just a ladies’ night, or are us fellas allowed to join you?”
Just then, Luke and Wes walked up. Our two-person table wasn’t going to work for all of us.
“Of course you guys can join us,” Scarlett said, brushing her curly hair away from her face.
Wyatt’s eyes met mine, and the fluttering in my chest was back.
“Yeah. Stay.” Stay and hang out with us. Stay a part of my life. Stay with me.
We moved one of the larger high-tops that fit four people and pulled up an extra seat. Wes handed Wyatt a beer as they all took their seats, but he passed it to Luke. “I’m sticking with water tonight,” he said, his eyes trained on mine. “Can I get anyone another drink while I’m up there?”
“Didn’t you want one more margarita, Maeve?” Scarlett asked.
“Oh, no. I’m fine.”
When no one else needed anything, Wyatt went to fetch his water from the bar. He came back, margarita in one hand and water in the other. Setting it down in front of me, he shot me a dirty wink.
24
Wyatt
Harpoon’s had filled in since we arrived. The crowd was pressing in on us, but at least no one besides me felt the impact. Maeve was sitting with her back to another table, same with Wes on the opposite side. Luke and Scarlett were sitting at the far end of the table with their backs to a wall. I took the seat at the front, which left my back open to the crush of people filing in. Someone elbowed me in the back as they walked past, mumbling a quick “Sorry, man” as he kept walking. I took my hat off and ran my fingers through my hair. Usually, I would rather situate myself to be able to see my surroundings better, but I liked sitting close enough to Maeve that I could put my arm around her or put my hand on her leg, so it was worth the occasional jab.
Maeve reached over and took my hat out of my hand, turning it around to look at it. She smiled softly at me, handing the cap back. I took it from her and placed it on her head.
Her shy laughter filtered through the noise around me. “How do I look?” she asked with humor in her voice.
Like you’re mine.
Whoa, calm down there, Wilder. That’s not your speed. Dating is supposed to be fun and easy, not serious, and certainly not possessive.
“Fucking stunning,” I told her. I may need to hold back my sudden possessive streak, but I wasn’t going to lie to her either. She tried to take it off, chuckling, but I held it in place. “Keep it on.” My tone came out commanding, and when she listened to me, not taking it off, my blood heated. I swallowed hard and took a sip of my water, trying to calm myself down.
I needed a distraction before I hauled Maeve over my shoulder and walked out of here like a caveman. Changing topics, Luke and I told the girls about the events at the garage earlier.
“Jackson was able to convince hisfriendto stop by. When the punk got there, Wes was there. He stopped the kid before he even put the car in park,” I told them. “Dude’s eyes were so big he looked like a cartoon. He tried to reverse to get away from Wes, but I was right behind him in my pickup truck.”
