Page 129 of Be Your Anything
“He’s notgoing afteranyone.”
Hannah and I speak at the same time, and I have to say, I’m a little grateful that she feels like sticking up for me.
Ben just gives me a nod, that light layer of disbelief apparent across his face. “Sure.”
“I’mnot.” I grit my teeth. “Lennon and I have been close since we were kids. I grew up half in love with her. She’severything.”
“So this is…what? Your last-ditch effort to convince her you’re ‘the one’?” he says, and I can hear the slight tone of mockery in his voice.
“You don’t believe in ‘the one’?” Hannah asks before I can respond.
Ben’s attention shifts in her direction, and I can see his slightly robotic impulses take a step back.
It’s been an interesting thing to observe the few times I’ve witnessed Ben around Hannah—how he adjusts his tone, his facial expression, even his mannerisms to become less threatening, less domineering.
“I think people are capable of choosing ‘one’,” he replies, “but I don’t believe in this fairytale notion of soul mates and ‘theone’, as if no one else would be a good match.”
Hannah’s face gets soft as she watches Ben. “I’ll be honest, Ben. That makes me a little sad.”
Ben laughs, and I can tell he thinks her response is legitimately hilarious. “It isn’t sad if it’s not something I want for myself. That would be like saying it’s so sad I’ve never won an Olympic medal when I’ve never wanted to be an athlete.”
“But an Olympic medal is something the rest of us normal people can still look at and be inspired by,” she replies.
“Look, Hannah, it’s great that you love my brother and all, but don’t think for a minute that you can understand—”
Wyatt clears his throat, and I can feel the tension in the room shift to something a little more uneasy.
“I think it might be time for you to take Ivy home,” Wyatt says, his eyes focused on Ben like a laser.
Ben sighs, his eyes flitting between his brother and Hannah. Then he smacks his hands lightly against each armrest with a nod. “Yeah, I guess it’s closing time, huh?”
He stands, and we all begin the slow process of waking up Ivy and saying goodbye.
“I think I’m gonna take off, too,” Wyatt says to Hannah, his voice low. “I have a work call in the morning and then I have to be at the race with Lucas tomorrow pretty early.”
Hannah makes a pouty face. “Alright. Well…I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
We all make our way to the door, Ben hugging Hannah and giving her a soft apology then giving me a wave before taking Ivy’s hand in his, the two wandering off to his car.
“I have to chat with Lucas really quick, but I’ll see you in the morning?” Wyatt says.
Hannah’s eyes widen slightly, realizing Wyatt’s asking her to give us a private moment. “Oh, yeah. No problem.” She kisses him on the cheek. “See you tomorrow?”
Wyatt nods, and then Hannah heads off in the direction of the stairs.
“What was that all about?” I ask, my brow furrowed.
He rolls his shoulders. “I got a text while we were eating dinner,” he replies. “My VISA has been approved.”
I raise my eyebrows, realizing the implication. In the next four to six weeks, Wyatt will be moving to London to start the first phase of our international expansion.
“That’s the call I have to make in the morning, to chat with Jasper.”
I nod, recognizing the name I’ve heard a few times. Jasper Travis is our primary business connection in London, the man who is going to be assisting Wyatt with developing relationships in Europe.
When I first heard the idea that a Calloway might need someone to assist with introductions, I laughed, but it was Lennon, actually, who pointed out to me the difference between old money and new money.
The people Wyatt will be hoping to connect with might not be so keen on inviting a Yankee into their fold.
