“They say ghost activity is more prevalent around kids and people with high energy. You’re pretty calm and reserved. Maybe that’s why you don’t feel them.”
She shot him a droll look as she punched open the kitchen door. “Are you saying I’m too boring to haunt?”
“No! Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” Wyatt stopped chuckling, his expression turning solemn. “I don’t think you’re boring at all, Emma. In fact, you’re rather interesting.”
“Yeah, right.” Emma snorted and pointed at a stool, upon which Wyatt then parked his cute butt. She proceeded to the refrigerator to collect most of the items she’d need, then grabbed an egg-poaching pan. Interesting? Not a word ever associated with her, and she knew it. He’d say anything to get in her pants. Men.
“Why don’t you believe me?” Wyatt yawned.
“Um, that yawn, for starters.” She sliced a thick piece of bread for the toaster.
“You’re not boring me, I’m just exhausted from training all week.”
“Then let me feed you so you can get some sleep.” Emma cracked two eggs in the pan and then quickly dissected an avocado and fanned the slices onto a plate. She could feel Wyatt watching her work, but wouldn’t risk looking at him. If she met his gaze, he might see something in her eyes. Something that would tell him how much she liked his company. That would reveal how lonely she could get, and how something as simple and nonsexual as this quiet conversation could mean so much. So much that her heart fairly ached from it.
“You can change the subject, but I meant what I said. Some people have bold personalities, others create things, and a few make fashion statements.” Wyatt pointedly glanced at her slippers with a grin, then his expression turned serious. “You are like an unsolved mystery. You may be quiet, but when you speak you never hold back. You’re sharp and certain despite your shyness. The contrast is what’s so interesting, and I’m sure there’s much more I haven’t even seen.”
Emma clasped the opening of her robe, suddenly feeling quite exposed. She averted her gaze and checked the eggs, buttered his toast, and sprinkled cayenne over the plate. Only his gentle snicker made her look up.
“I’ve embarrassed you.” He looked at her, handsome as ever in the still of night, his haunting, green-brown eyes glowing. “But it’s true. Wish I had more time to get to know you better, Emma. Something tells me I’m really missing out.”
Her chest throbbed, almost as if preparing for her to weep, which made no sense. Who cried in the face of a compliment? But the pang deepened.
“Thanks.” Not trusting herself to get too close, Emma slid the plate toward him without budging her feet. Uncomfortable being the center of anyone’s attention, let alone his, she deflected in an effort to resume control over her emotions. “Seems like you’ve had several great training days since the avalanche. I guess having Ryder participate is helping you. He’s handling it all better than before, too.”
“I knew he’d be fine once he jumped in. Just needed a little push to get past his anxiety.”
While Wyatt cut into his meal, Emma wondered if Ryder was just putting on a good show for his brother. She kept her suspicions to herself this time, for a change.
After swallowing a mouthful of food, Wyatt glanced up with a satisfied smile. Emma’s chest tightened again because she’d made him smile. Well, her food had, anyway. “This is excellent. Love the kick from the pepper.”
“Thank you.” Emma proceeded to clean the pan and counter while Wyatt ate. Maybe she didn’t excite him quite like Alexa had, but she could give him comfort. She’d always been good at giving people that much, and she knew it to be the more lasting, reliable way to prove one’s feelings. In today’s Tinder world, sex often didn’t mean much, but friendship still did. “How’s Trip working out? I bet he loves being filmed.”
Wyatt nodded. “He does. He’s a damn amazing skier, too. It’s easier for smaller guys like me to pull off certain kinds of tricks, but he’s got no fear. Shoots right off the edge of anything. Rarely screws up, although he had a massive yard sale this week. Mari loved it.”
“Why?” Emma thought about how much Kelsey would hate to see Trip tumble. Mostly because she’d worry about his safety, but also because she’d know his pride had been wounded. If Mari made Trip look bad in this film, Kelsey would be furious. In a showdown between Kelsey and Mari, Emma’s money would be on Kelsey.
“I get the feeling my story isn’t enough for her. She needs the film to be popular, so she craves drama to make it more exciting. Keeps pestering me for really personal information, too.” He shook his head and brought his plate to the sink. “Maybe I’m paranoid. I haven’t had the best luck with reporters and media.”