Page 65 of The Reason I Married Him
“Very happy,” I say as I scoot in even closer to Wyatt. He wraps both arms around me now and, to my utter shock, kisses my neck.
It’s two parts thrilling and one part horrifying. I shouldn’t like the feel of his lips on my skin, nor should I have chills running down my legs. My stomach shouldn’t be bursting out in a cloud of unruly butterflies. But my body reacts a certain way. My mind begs it to stop, and I wonder if he will kiss my neck again.
“Good.” Amanda awkwardly looks around. “Well, I guess we’ll let you get to your lunch. It was great catching up. We’ll see you around. Maybe we can schedule a lunch sometime.”
“Maybe,” I say, knowing full well that will never happen. I would rather sit on top of a bed of razors than share a meal with this woman, especially after this display of pettiness. I offer her a wave, and we go in different directions.
When we’re in the shop, I do an A+ job of ignoring the rather large commitment I made to a man I barely know. I quietly stare at the menu—even though I always get the same thing.
But my blatant disregard for him and his presence doesn’t stop the smarmy grin I can see from the corner of my eye.
Or the heavy drape of his arm over my shoulders.
Or the subtle bump of his hip against mine.
After a few moments of silence, he leans in close to my ear and says, “It was how I referred to your lips as flower petals that broke you, wasn’t it?”
Grinding my teeth together, I say, “Shut up, Wyatt.”
Chapter Six
THE SIBLINGS
Hattie:Ryland! Guess who I ran into in town?
Ryland:That could be hundreds of different people.
Hattie:No, this was close to home.
Ryland:I don’t know, Hattie. Who?
Hattie:Aubree and Wyatt! Together. Right there. Walking close together. Looking all chummy. OMG, do you think something is going on between them?
Ryland:Possibly. I didn’t say anything last night because I was tired as shit and thought I was making something out of nothing, but I caught them talking in the kitchen. He draped his arm over her chair several times at dinner. At the end of the night, he said that he was going to walk her back to her place.
Hattie:STAHPP! Ryland, that is vital information. You should have told me immediately. What is wrong with you?
Ryland:I have a four-year-old to take care of who has a weird obsession with a horse named Chewy Charles. The storylines I have to keep straight about that horse, it’s exhausting. And now there’s Chewy Chonda too.
Hattie:LOL. Understandable, but oh my God, this is huge, Ryland. What if she likes him? Do you think she likes him? I thought she was angry that he owned the land. When would they have even talked to have formed a relationship? Is that what it is? A relationship?
Ryland:I see where Mac has been picking up on all of the incessant questions.
Hattie:I’m being serious. This could be great for Aubree. Wyatt seems fun and could bring Aubree out from her shell, you know?
Ryland:Yeah, I like Wyatt. He’s a good guy. It would be good for her, but you never know with Aubree. She’s a wild card.
Hattie:She is, but you should have seen them. Something was definitely there.
Ryland:Something was there last night too.
Hattie:Why don’t you ask her?
Ryland:And put myself at risk of getting hurt by the snarly beast? No thanks. I have three sisters. I know when not to poke the bear. And I have a kid to watch over.
Hattie:Use the kid as a human shield.
Ryland:That’s really great, Hattie. Throw your niece to the fanged monster.
