Page 11 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
Gabby returned the almost too-tight hug. “It’s good to be home. I’ve missed you too. All of you.”
Her friend leaned back. “Wyatt especially, huh?”
Pulling away, Gabby walked to her bed and sat on the edge. “I can’t let myself think that way, Carrie Anne. He doesn’t see me like that. It’s never going to happen. And I told you, I’m dating someone.”
“And that’s hogwash. You can’t sell that to me.”
Narrowing her eyes, Gabby crossed her arms over her chest. She should have known Carrie Anne would meddle. “Fine. I made him up because I didn’t want you pressuring me. Is that why you set me up?”
“I didn’t set you up. Everyone else was busy. Wyatt was the only one who was available.”
“Pretty stinkin’ convenient. The one man I don’t want to see, and I have to spend two hours with him and nowhere else to go.”
Then add being tossed over his shoulder like a flour sack and carried to her room. And that weird hug that lasted almost too long. For a second, it even looked like he might kiss her. Already, her mind was playing tricks on her, and it’d only been a couple hours.
Carrie Anne joined Gabby on the bed. “Well, regardless, I know you and Wyatt would be great together if you guys would give it a chance.”
“If you love me at all, you’ll stop. I’m begging you to stop. I’m here through Thanksgiving weekend, and I just want to relax.”
Before Carrie Anne could respond, a light tapping came from the door. “Can I come in?” Gabby’s mom, Pauline, asked.
Gabby jumped up and met her mom halfway, giving her a hug. “Hey, Mom.”
“Where’s my hug?” Carrie Anne’s mom, Caroline, asked with waiting open arms. Gabby hugged her too. “Oh, it’s so good to see you.” Mrs. West held her out. “Oh my word, I think you’ve gotten even prettier.”
Waving her off, Gabby shook her head. “You always say that.”
“Because it’s true.” She smiled.
Gabby’s sister, Stephanie, laughed as she hugged Gabby. “Hey, it’s good to see you!”
Gabby returned the hug and said, “You too.”
Stephanie dropped her arms and stepped back. “This house is amazing, am I right?”
Nodding, Gabby smiled. “Bear did an incredible job, but I’m not surprised. He’s only talked about this ranch since he could speak.”
“True. Still, it’s wow-inducing. Big enough for our families, but not so big you get lost. I love how homey it feels. I especially love the peace and quiet.” Her sister turned her attention back to Gabby.
Peace and quiet? Gabby could use some of that. “Yeah, out in the middle of nowhere, I think you should expect that.” She laughed.
Mrs. West looked at her daughter. “Carrie Anne, did you ask her yet?”
Gabby looked from Mrs. West to Carrie Anne. “Ask me what?”
Carrie Anne stood and chewed her bottom lip. “I wanted to see if there’s a chance you can stay until the wedding. I have dress fittings, food tasting, all the things that go with a wedding, and I can’t imagine doing those things without you. I know it’s last minute, but you’ve hardly taken any time off from work. Do you think they’d be okay with you staying until New Years?”
Six weeks? In Caprock Canyon? With Wyatt? Her heart wilted. The thought of five days had been bad enough. But this was Carrie Anne. Her best friend in the whole wide world. She could be a pest, know-it-all, instigator, and every other annoying thing possible, but Gabby loved her. If the roles were reversed, there was no way Gabby could get married without Carrie Anne by her side.
It wasn’t like she had a job anyway. Not that she’d spill that just yet. Plus, there was no one waiting for her in Charleston either. It would just be her, looking for jobs and nothing else to do.
“I’d have to call the paper and ask, but I don’t think they’d mind.” Gabby didn’t like the fib, but the last thing she wanted right now was to talk about her job situation. Not only would Carrie Anne try to fix it, but she’d be begging Gabby to move back home. Something she couldn’t do just yet.
Carrie Anne clapped her hands, jumped up and down, and then grabbed Gabby in a bear hug. “I’m so glad you can stay.”
Laughing, Gabby hugged her. “I didn’t say I could. I said I’d call and ask. They may very well want me back.”
“Do I need to bribe them?” Carrie leaned back as she asked.
