His brows dip with a genuine sadness. “You’re doing great, kid.”
“Thank you, Professor James. I’m hoping to ace that private exam you’ll be holding for me tomorrow night. In fact, I plan on pulling out all the scholastic stops to impress you with my carnal knowledge.” Which isn’t much, nary a scholastic stop will be made, but that’s beside the point.
“I’m already impressed.”
“Here we are!” Mom slides in next to me. “You mind if I join the two of you for a moment?”
“Not at all.” I scoot a bit to accommodate her. Now that the bandage has been ripped off unceremoniously, I’m all for her meeting the man I plan on violating in less than twenty-four hours.
“So what’s the deal with you two?” She looks from me to Wyatt, and suddenly I’m regretting the fact I’ve pinned myself into the booth. “You really just friends, or is something more going on?” She gets that I’m-about-to-rat-you-out look on her face. “Cat Alice says—”
“Cat Alice lies about her own name.” I cut a quick glance behind me in time to see said liar give me the finger. It’s true. She fell in love with a calico when she was four and made everyone call her Cat Alice ever since. And, for some unknown reason, it stuck. “Wyatt and I are—” God, I hate lying to my mother. I completely blame Cat for putting me in this ridiculous position to begin with.
“Working on getting to know each other.” Wyatt finishes the sentence for me, and I can’t help but give a shy smile. That’s exactly what we’re doing, and that’s no lie.
“Do me a favor.” Mom leans into the table, her eyes pleading as she sheds a pained smile. “Be careful with my baby girl. She’s tough stuff up front, but, deep down inside, she has a heart of liquid gold.” She brushes my hair with her fingers as if I were a newborn. “She’s been through the ringer these last few months.”
Wyatt meets my gaze and holds it. “You’re right, she does have a heart of gold, and I don’t have any intention of breaking it.”
Something in me loosens as if I had secretly been waiting to hear that very thing.
We start in on lunch and enjoy every second of my mother’s company, but, all the while, my mind drifts to Wyatt’s powerful words.
He would never break my heart.
I believe him.
Wyatt
Happy birthday, big bro.
I stare down at the text a moment. I just paid a visit to the administrative office at Whitney Briggs, making sure Blake’s account is paid up for the semester. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were in need and didn’t bother to tell me. He’s just that kind of guy. But I offered to help him get through school and meant it. It’s the least I can do after he took on the baby. And now that I’m all done loading his university ID with cash for books, I’m on high alert for my favorite coed, Marley.
It’s Saturday, the day our infamous contract kicks in. It also happens to be my birthday. But I haven’t filled Marley in on that little detail, not sure why—most likely because I don’t want to turn this into a “me” event. This is about Marley. It always has been. Revenge sex, reclaiming her sanity sex, horizontal research, call it what you want, but it most definitely feels like a rite of passage. I’m not sure why she chose me to inaugurate the process, but I’m damn glad she did.
“Wyatt?” A cheery, yet ominously familiar, voice calls from behind, and I turn to find Monica drudging over. “Well, if it isn’t the birthday boy.”
“They keep you caged in on weekends?” I tease as she swings into a full embrace. Her lips brush over mine for a moment, and I freeze, giving a quick glance around.
“Sorry, I was aiming for your cheek.” She rubs her thumb over the supposed spot she missed. “Come, let me buy you coffee and a birthday scone. It’s the least I can do.” And before I can answer, she pulls me into Hallowed Grounds by the elbow. “I have a couple windows open if you want to discuss dates for our trip to Vale.”
Our trip to Vale. It sounds official. Like something a well-grounded couple might do. Romantic in nature. Everything it’s not.
“Great.” Shit. Not great. “I was just clearing everything with the administration department, making sure my brother has his ducks in a row. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make it out of town with all the things I’m juggling, but we’ll see.” We’ll see? Is that code for I don’t happen to have my balls with me today?
Her eyes grow heavy a moment. Monica’s no fool. She can clearly read between the dismissal-shaped lines.