Page 34 of Breathing Wisteria
Wyatt
“Oh my God, that was insane.” Layla’s sweet voice is filled with disbelief as she slides onto a barstool at my kitchen counter. “There are about twenty photographers out there! Now I understand why you didn’t want to go out.”
“Yeah, it only took them a day or two to find my home address after the story broke. They’ve been parked out there ever since.” I slide a mug of steaming peppermint tea in front of her, which she accepts gratefully.
I’ve been doing my best to keep my stress levels, as well as my temper, under control these last few weeks, but it’s been difficult. Having my photo splashed all over the internet has been awful and, while I’m grateful they haven’t discovered the truth about the end of our relationship, I’m not thrilled with the narrative they’re creating. If social media is to be believed, we were young, dumb kids playing at being grown-ups, until Flynn came to his senses and left to pursue his dream of fame in LA.
Depending on who you talk to, either Flynn’s the asshole who broke his first loves heart or I’m a first-class bitch who tried to stop him from achieving his dreams.
Cue eye roll.
“This is actually a quiet day. Normally there’s about fifty of them, but most took off a few hours ago.” I quirk an eyebrow and grin. “I guess a real celebrity is getting into some kind of trouble.”
“How are you coping with all of this? What does Flynn say?” She blows on the tea and takes a cautious sip.
“It’s driving me crazy.” I groan. “I haven’t left the apartment in days because I thought if they weren’t getting anything from me, they would leave, but nope. He just says to ignore them and say nothing. It’s getting harder to do, though.”
“That sounds like a nightmare,” she agrees before lowering her voice to a whisper. “I still can’t believe you’re married. Married!”
“I know, I suck. I swear I am well and truly aware of my level of friendship suckiness.”
“No, I mean I get it.” She reaches across the breakfast bar and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I definitely understand where you’re coming from, wanting to put that behind you. I guess I understand better now why you wanted me to be absolutely sure before I gave up on Ethan. I will never be able to thank you enough for that. If I hadn’t fought for him.” She shakes her head, her eyes tearing up. “It would have been the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Hey, but you did listen. At least someone learned from my mistakes.” I force a laugh and hope I’m pulling off this whole nonchalant thing.
“You know, Cassidy told me once that you really helped her get her head straight about Mason too. Perhaps it’s time you take your own advice since it’s always the grade-A, top-notch stuff.”
This time my laugh is far from forced, slipping out easily.
“I’ll remind you of that next time you ignore my advice!”
“That has never happened, don’t even try it.” Layla chuckles before sobering. “You don’t think you and Flynn could try again?”
“I don’t want to try again.” I force down the bile from my lie.
“Okay, but does he know that? CJ said he’s refusing a divorce.”
“Yeah, he’s being an ass about that, but he’s been amazing through everything else, so I don’t want to push my luck. I’ll probably end up filing myself.”
“Amazing, how?” Layla’s eyes light up mischievously with her question, but I choose to ignore it.
“Just talking me through it, I guess. He calls every day to keep me updated with how his team is trying to contain the story, that sort of thing. Plus, he gave me some security so I don’t have to deal with the paps by myself. I think the best thing, for us anyway.” I straighten up from the counter, my hands wrapped around my coffee mug. “Is that he can’t come here. I think a bit of distance will help him get over this idea that we’re going to get back together. He’s back in the city and I’m sure if it wasn’t for those idiots outside, he would be here trying to wear me down.”
“Well, I mean, that’s kind of sweet though, yeah? He must really love you.” She sighs sadly. “I wish you felt the same, you deserve a happily ever after.”
I force a bright smile and ignore the painful knot in my gut.
“I have my happily ever after, Lay. It just doesn’t involve a man. Anyway.” I shake off the gloom. “I’m so sick of talking about me, what about you? How are the wedding plans coming?”
A beautiful smile briefly dances across Layla’s lips before she sobers and looks down at her hands tightening around the mug, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Good, they’re going good. We have decided to postpone the wedding a little bit though.”
Okay, I did not see that coming.
I lean forward and take her hands in mine. I know I must look concerned because she immediately backtracks.
“Oh no, it’s not anything bad, it’s good news actually. Really good news.” She pauses, and her warm brown eyes meet mine and I know. I just fucking know what she’s about to say.
