Page 10 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
“Okay.” A puzzled look crossed her features. “Where is everyone?”
“Well, our moms went with Carrie Anne to meet the wedding planner. Youknowour moms are going to be involved. Bear is out riding around on one of the ATVs with our dads. He wants their opinion on how to get things going. And I don’t know where Josiah or Hunter are. Have you talked to your sister?”
Gabby shook her head. “Not since yesterday, and you know Stephanie. She’s about like you when it comes to spontaneity.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I guess we both get wild hairs.”
“Do you know when any of them will get back?”
“No, but I’m hungry. I’m sure Bandit could cook us something, or we could even run into town for a bite. I mean, if you’re hungry or—” He stopped short, wondering why he was suddenly a babbling idiot. He didn’t get flustered around women, so what was his problem?
She looked over her shoulder at the bed. “I think I might take a nap.”
“That doesn’t sound half bad.”
A wide smile lifted her cheeks, and her eyes twinkled. “You remember when we were kids and we’d camp out? We’d all pile into the same tent ’cause we were afraid of the coyotes. We were such wimps.”
“Yeah, I seemed to always manage to have my sleeping bag next to yours.”
“I’d hold your hand. You’d scoot in close and tell me you’d protect me.” She cleared her throat. “Well, me and Carrie Anne, because she’d be right there with me.”
Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, coyotes were the only thing you were afraid of, but instead of running inside, you’d stick it out. Unlike Carrie Anne.”
She looked down and giggled. “Because I didn’t want anyone to think I was a chicken.”
He tipped her chin up with one finger. “You were never a chicken.”
Their eyes locked, and he found himself lost in the depths of hers. So deep and dark and full of mysteries he wanted to solve.
“Hey!” Carrie Anne squealed as she bounded into the room.
Wyatt jumped back and swallowed hard. What had just happened? If he didn’t know any better, another minute or two, and he’d have kissed Gabby. And she was dating someone. He needed some air to clear his head.
Gabby grabbed Carrie Anne, and they swayed back and forth as they hugged.
“Uh, I guess I’ll let you two catch up,” Wyatt said, his voice husky.
“Oh, Wyatt.” Gabby slipped off his coat, and their fingers brushed as she handed it to him, causing his pulse to jump. “Thanks,” she said with a sweet smile.
He swallowed. “Uh, sure.”
Stepping back, he nearly tripped over himself to get out of her room. He’d known Gabby forever. Their families were sewn together like blood, only stronger. It wasn’t right to think of her like something other than a friend…a little sister. Whatever was getting his wires crossed needed to stop.
Slowly, he shook his head. She was also dating a guy named Tim. If there was one thing Wyatt wasn’t, it was a cheater…and he didn’t help women cheat either.
Why was he even thinking that? It was complete nonsense. The only thing he could figure was that he was lonely. It might not be the best time for a relationship, but he sure did want one. And not a little fling. He wanted the next relationship to go somewhere with someone he could see growing old with. That was all this shock surrounding Gabby was—a little kick in the pants to wise up and put himself out there again.
As he slipped inside his room, he stared at the duffle bag sitting on top of the bed.
What was he going to do? He’d told her he was staying across the hall. If he didn’t, either she’d think he’d lied or he was avoiding her. He wasn’t between a rock and a hard place. He was in a rockslide.
Eh, he’d still change rooms. There was a chance she’d be stubborn again.
He laughed at himself. Man, he’d spent too much time on the road and not enough time at home. His reaction was due to loneliness. Nothing else. With a little time, everyone would find their rhythm again, and everything would be back to normal.
Chapter 5
Carrie Anne squeezed Gabby a little harder. “Oh, how I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’re home.”
