Page 16 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
“Gabby? Are you sure everything is okay?”
“I’m fine, Wyatt,” she said, sounding anything but. Was she crying?
Wyatt set his hands on his hips. “If there’s something bothering you, you can tell me. I promise I won’t tell anyone. Whatever is sitting on your shoulders, you can let me help carry it.”
A long sigh. “I appreciate the offer, but I have work to do. I’ll talk to you later.”
What was going on that she wouldn’t talk to him? Well, whatever it might be, she wasn’t budging. Maybe over the next couple of days, possibly six weeks if her work let her take off, he could find out what it was that was troubling her.
With one last look, he stepped inside Hunter’s room, gathered his brother’s things, and took them down to the room Wyatt had occupied the night before. Once he’d thrown his own stuff back in his duffle bag, he strode back to the room across from Gabby.
If nothing else, even if she didn’t confide in him, he’d at least get to see her every day, and for some reason, his heart even did a skip. He was losing it.
He shut the door, putting the strange feelings aside. He was just happy Gabby was home. He hadn’t seen her in a while, and that’s all it was—excitement. The family had missed her. Spending time with her would make it feel like old times, and that’s what he was needing most: normal, head-clearing time with his whole family.
Chapter 7
“Why are you sneaking around my kitchen?” Bandit asked.
Gabby startled as she stood in front of the fridge and nearly dropped the milk she was holding. “Bandit, by all that’s holy, you do that again and I’ll let a pack of wild dogs in here.”
His rich laughter filled the room, and she hushed him. “You’re going to wake everyone up!”
Bandit shrugged. “Aw, th-th-they can’t hear m-m-me. What are you t-t-trying to put together anyway?”
“I was thinking hot chocolate.”
He crossed the kitchen, stopping as he got to her. “That’s n-n-no way to make hot chocolate. You gotta use cream and—aw,” he said taking the milk from her. “I n-n-need some too. I’ll just make us b-b-both some.”
“Make that three?” Wyatt asked.
Gabby closed her eyes as he joined them. Why did he have to invade everything she did? She needed a second without him around.
He’s what had kept her up all night. She couldn’t believe Stephanie told him they’d been in Arkansas or that she’d left without telling him she was there. What no one knew was that she’d planned to tell him how she felt about him, and when she found him, a bunch of girls were hanging all over him. What chance did she have against them?
Family friend. Little kid. She couldn’t compete against older girls, so she’d left without saying a word. And after dinner, he’d reminded her of exactly how he’d always see her. Family. Nothing more.
“Sure.” Bandit said. “The more the merrier.”
Wyatt chuckled. “Thanks. Is that okay with you?”
Opening her eyes, she lifted her gaze to his. Why was he always so good-looking? Or more like how? Tousled bed-head hair, dark cotton t-shirt, and drawstring pajama pants. He looked like he’d walked off a magazine page.
If she said anything other than sure, he’d want to know why, and she didn’t want to give that answer. She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s okay with me.”
“Y-y-y’all take a seat in the living room, and I’ll b-b-bring the hot chocolate out when they’re done,” Bandit said as he pulled out a large pot. “It sh-sh-shouldn’t take too long.”
“Thanks.” Gabby slipped around Wyatt, hoping he’d want to stay in the kitchen and talk to Bandit.
Her hope was dashed when he sidled up beside her, smiling. “I thought I’d be the only one up this late, or I guess you could say early since it’s after midnight. What’s kept you from sleeping?”
Like she’d let that confession fly anytime soon. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“Me too.”
When they reached the living room, Gabby took a spot in the corner of the couch and curled her legs under her as she rubbed her arms. “It’s a little chilly.”
Wyatt walked to the fireplace. “I could get a fire going.”
