Page 196 of The Reason I Married Him
It almost feels like Cassidy sent him, like Cassidy knew something all along. Because with every day I spend with Wyatt, with every night he holds me, it’s like the dark gray cloud hanging over me is slowly parting, and a glimpse of the sun peeks through.
Chapter Eighteen
WYATT
“Laurel,” I say as she hops out of her car and runs up to me. With open arms, I pull her into a hug and embrace her tightly.
“Ahh, look at you.” She pulls away to give me a once-over. “You look all . . . groomy.”
I chuckle and glance down at my dress pants and tucked-in button-up shirt. “I try.”
She runs her hand over my cheek. “Didn’t shave, though.”
I shrug. “Aubree likes the scruff.”
She raises her brow at me. “Oh, have things progressed since we last spoke?”
I shake my head as I glance toward the car where a woman stands. She has long blond hair, a sleeve tattoo, and wears a maxi dress. She looks exactly like who I’d picture Laurel with. This girl has a type. “No, same old, same old. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with you. Care to introduce me?”
Smiling brightly, Laurel holds out her hand, and the woman by the car takes it. “Wyatt, this is Rhonda. Rhonda, meet Wyatt or . . . W.J. Preston as you know him.”
Rhonda takes a deep breath and holds out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wyatt. I’ve read nothing but great things from you and heard nothing but brotherly things from Laurel.”
Smiling, I lean forward and say, “Is she giving away stories about my personal life?”
“Very much so and I’ve loved every one of them.”
I point at Rhonda while I speak to Laurel. “I hope you made her sign an NDA.”
“In your dreams,” Laurel replies. “I think she might have an Instagram account dedicated to just you and your secrets.”
“I’m really here to capture content for it,” Rhonda jokes, making me like her already.
“You know, Rhonda. I think we might be really good friends.”
She nods. “I think so too.”
Laurel looks around, taking in the farmhouse and the guest house. “Where is the bride-to-be?”
“Getting ready.” I thumb toward the guest house.
Laurel leans in close. “How is she feeling? Does she seem nervous?”
I shake my head. “No, not at all. Really calm, actually.”
“That’s good.” Laurel takes my hand in hers. “And what about you?”
I can tell what she’s trying to hint at, and I tack on a smile for her. “Fine.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. “Because I know you, Wyatt, and it’s the night before your wedding. Given what happened last time, I can’t imagine you don’t have any concerns.”
“This isn’t for love,” I say as I glance at Rhonda.
“It’s okay,” Rhonda says seriously. “Laurel told me, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy. This stays off the IG account.”
I chuckle. “Thank you.” I turn back to Laurel and say, “There’s no chance of my heart breaking this time. It’s business. That’s all.”
“Really? Because that’s not what you made it seem like the other day when you said you liked Aubree.”
