“I always thought you were quite the media darling, with your good looks and talent.” The words slipped past her lips before she’d thought about the implication.
Wyatt turned slowly and stared at her, head slightly cocked.
“Good looks, huh?” When a slow smile spread across his face, her heart swelled. If he tried to kiss her now, she’d let him. That truth shot heat to her cheeks. Shoot. At this rate, she’d never make it through the next three weeks without giving in to temptation. “But media darling is not near true. When I’d win a medal, all the coverage would be positive. Otherwise, people looked for controversy, and if they couldn’t find it, they’d stir some up. Prod for competition between Ryder and me, hoping to uncover a rift. Or they’d paint me as a party boy, drinking and carousing my way through resorts.”
Emma bit back a remark about him and partying. She’d seen him in that element, despite the fact that he didn’t remember. Had it ever been fair to paint him with one brush when his entire teen and early adulthood had consisted almost entirely of significant accomplishments and rewards? After all, what twenty-two-year-old wouldn’t have loved celebrating his win in a bar full of adoring women? But maybe he’d changed a bit in the three years since then.
“That kind of coverage always bothered my mom, so I really can’t have it now, when she’s still coming to terms with Ryder’s injuries. This film has to be about the work, the sport, the comeback. Not about me and Ryder, or drinks or girls or any of that. Maybe I’m paranoid, but having Mari looking over my shoulder all the time makes me nervous.”
Watching Wyatt this past week had given her another perspective. One she was glad she hadn’t known before she created Dallas. Here, in real life, he’d shown discipline, a willingness to admit mistakes, commitment, and love for his brother. For a guy of only twenty-five, he seemed to be maturing. And like her, his mother mattered to him. He didn’t want to be the cause of her pain, which was another thing they shared in common.
Emma suddenly envisioned a nightmare scenario where her pen name was discovered and publicized. Although that wouldn’t make headlines or raise eyebrows anywhere outside of Sterling Canyon, the mere thought of being gossip fodder sent a shiver straight through her.
“You okay?” Wyatt asked, having obviously noticed her sudden stillness.
“Yes.” It was time to break the spell and go to their separate rooms. Of course, she didn’t really want to go back to her room alone. She could’ve stayed there and talked all night. Each little peek into his personality left her wanting more. She’d started to like him, and that wouldn’t do. Not with her secrets. And not with the way he tempted her to abandon all caution.
And then, because he looked skeptical and she didn’t want questions, she said, “Don’t worry. No ghost passed through me, either. Now, if you’re finished, I think we both need some rest. You’ve got yoga in less than six hours, and I’ve got a really busy day tomorrow.”
“The party?” Wyatt asked, falling in beside her as they crossed the kitchen and made their way to the stairs. They weren’t touching, but she could feel him anyway. Her body seemed to pitch toward him, eager for any accidental touch.
Trip must’ve mentioned the engagement party to Wyatt. “Yes. On top of my other obligations, I’ve got to finish and deliver the party cupcakes, too. Tomorrow night you’ll be on your own if you get hungry after dinner.”
That thought made her a little sad. She might prefer to cook Wyatt eggs than attend a loud party, except that this was one of her best friend’s parties, and she truly did want to celebrate Kelsey’s joy.
“Will it be a big event?” Wyatt asked.
“Depends on your definition. There’ll only be about fifty guests, but it will be an all-out affair. Kelsey’s dreamed of getting married since I’ve known her. She just got engaged on Halloween and is already moving full steam ahead.”
“Afraid Trip will get cold feet?”
“No. She just wants to get on with it and start a family.” Emma shrugged. Hopefully the marriage would last longer than the engagement. Truthfully, despite Emma’s mother’s tales of her courtship with Emma’s dad, Emma had no real memory of whether her dad had ever been as wild about her mom as Trip seemed to be about Kelsey. “You kind of have to know her to get it, I suppose. She’s quite the romantic. Always has been.”
“Are you going with Andy?” Wyatt’s casual tone caused her to pause.
“No. He’ll probably catch a ride with Avery and Grey.” She noticed Wyatt had begun to follow her up to the third floor. “You missed your stop.”