Page 189 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
“Right.” Wyatt unravels his arms. “But can we really go out if you left school early?”
“It’s okay for me and Josie,” Kylie says, stifling a laugh. “We’re the good girls who get away with murder.”
Amused by her comment, Wyatt’s gaze moves over to Parker, getting a read on him.
Parker bats a hand. “There’s only the boring classes left for the day.”
Wyatt smirks. “Oh, okay then.”
Kylie awes at Wyatt. “It’s so incredibly good to see you.”
“Thanks, you too.”
“No, I mean,reallygood to see you,” Kylie adds on. “We never thought this would happen.”
The fun leaves Wyatt’s expression. “No one ever thought I’d come back to town?”
“Why would you?” Parker says. “You have it made. There’s no need to come back here.”
“There’s billionaires here,” Wyatt offers.
“That’s old money that built this town,” Parker replies. “Not the same thing as reality TV new money.”
Wyatt fidgets, not knowing how to respond. “Oh.”
Parker draws a flatten palm towards Wyatt. “Can I get a loan?”
Wyatt recoils. “Huh?”
Kylie whacks Parker’s arm, and Parker lifts his hands in surrender while laughing. “Kidding. Kidding.”
The air in the room is stiff, almost to a choking point. I rub the cramp from my chest and say, “Shall we go out and get some fresh air?”
“Will you be okay around other people?” Kylie asks me. “You know, after...”
“It’s cool,” I blurt, so Wyatt doesn’t get clued in. “Besides, everyone’s still at school. Hardly anyone will be on Main Street.”
Wyatt takes my hand. “Were you feeling claustrophobic?”
I hide the ick behind a smile. “I was around a lot more people compared to our time in Cherry Beach.”
“Must’ve been a lot if you felt more overwhelmed at school than around the suits.”
“The suits?” Kylie asks. “As in the people you work for?”
“Yeah,” Wyatt replies. “I came back here with Josie to get away from their pressure.”
“Must be intense,” Parker says. “Especially after getting out of the hospital.”
Wyatt smiles appreciatively. “Yeah, it’s hard to get used to.”
Parker motions toward the front door. “Then let’s go do something fun.”
Wyatt nods, looking my way. “Okay. Let’s go.”
We load into Parker’s car, Wyatt taking the backseat with me, and we head into Main Street. After the short drive, Parker finds a parking space outside the café where Kylie works.
Kylie shifts in her seat, facing us in the back. “Maybe you don’t want to go in.”
