Page 64 of Tempting Wyatt
Sutton smiles. “I love that.”
“Coco Chanel said it, and I try to remind myself of it often.”
Her eyes brighten. “I think I need it on a T-shirt.”
I toss her a wink as I stand. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Maybe I’m overreacting,” she mumbles, glancing at her silent, dark phone beside us. “Every time I say anything, theyboth tell me I’m being ridiculous and tell me not to be insecure and jealous.”
I shake my head.Gaslighting little shits.“Doesn’t matter if they’re hooking up or not. If you’ve conveyed to them both that this behavior hurts you and they’re still doing whatever they’re doing regardless, I think that’s a pretty good indicator of how little they value your feelings.”
She swallows thickly, and a small hiccup escapes. “That’s pretty much what I left on both of their voice mails. If they cared about me at all, they’d let me know immediately if they had some kind of feelings for each other or whatever, not just put me in this shitty position by going behind my back.”
I nod. “Smart girl. See, you got this.” I smile warmly at her. “Actually, a similar situation brought me here. Sounds like I could’ve used your advice a few weeks ago.”
Her aquamarine eyes widen. “Somebody cheated on you?” Before I can confirm this, she continues. “But you’re, like, insanely gorgeous. When you got here, I figured you were an actress or a model.”
I want to hug this girl. And laugh because if she saw any actual models in LA, she’d realize I’m not model material.
“People suck sometimes, Sutton. And if you check that mirror, you’ll see thatyou’reinsanely gorgeous. Some people are just cheaters, no matter who they’re with—at nineteen or at thirty. I wish I could tell you it gets better, but it only gets better if we hold ourselves to the standards we deserve.”
“Feels like everyone cheats these days,” she mumbles. “You should ask Willow what her dickhead of an ex did.”
I have to admit, I’m curious. Willow seems very self-assured. I can’t picture her letting anyone break her heart. But I’d be far too intimidated to ask Willow much of anything. Though I do plan to take her up on the offer to visit the equestrian center.
“I think there are some good guys left,” I tell Sutton before I leave. “Look at your brothers. They seem like solid, honest guys.”
Wyatt’s steely gaze flashes in my mind. I know at that moment that he’s one of the good ones. Maybe I’ve known since the minute we met.
“Hey, Ivy,” she calls out as I head toward the door.
“Yeah?”
“Could I maybe have your number? You know, in case I ever get to visit California. Or just to talk sometime. My sister is great, but she’s busy and hotheaded, like my brothers. She’d be out looking for Brad and Cara right now if I told her what was going on.”
“Of course.”
When I put my number in her phone, I see the picture of her hugging a dark-haired guy in the background. Her gaze drops to the screen as mine does.
I wrinkle my nose. “Eh, he’s cute. But you can do better.”
She bites her lip. “I’m beginning to think you’re right.”
“Focus on your goals, precious girl,” I say. “The right guy will come along when the time is right. And only if he’s worthy.”
“I’m glad you came here,” Sutton says softly. “I wish you were staying longer.”
I only smile as I close her door behind me, but my heart changes rhythm at her words. As if to say,Me too.
After I locate and use the bathroom, I return to the kitchen just as my phone buzzes in my back pocket. Expecting some nonsense from Malcolm that I still have no intentions of entertaining, I’m surprised to see a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: I came by the cabin to see how you’re feeling today, but Isaac said you’re up at the house.
I smile because even though I’m not sure how he got my number, I know it’s Wyatt. I save his contact asRancher.
Me: Who is this? Because you’re kind of giving stalker vibes. . .
His response is immediate.
