Page 25 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
“Thanks.” Wyatt poured the last of what remained into his mug and took a seat at the kitchen island. He took a tentative sip and then a big drink. “This is good.”
“M-m-mom’s recipe. It’s n-n-not bitter.”
Not even a little. On the road, Wyatt had choked down his fair share of coffee so nasty sugar couldn’t save it. “You know, you really should open a restaurant. I know you don’t want to take money from us, but with Bear getting this place going again, townfolk are going to need a place to go. Why not yours? You’re the best cook I’ve ever known.”
Bandit shook his head. “No.”
“Bear said he’d even do a contract. Charge you interest if it would make you feel better.” Wyatt set his cup on the counter. “What good is all this money if we can’t share it? You’re family, Bandit. Just ’cause you didn’t claim it with us doesn’t make it any less so.” Oh, they’d tried to get him to take a share of the winnings, but just like his parents and the Fredericks, Bandit wouldn’t have any of it.
“It’s th-th-the principle of it.” His lips curved up. “Hey, s-s-sweetheart!”
Wyatt followed his line of sight. Of course, it was Gabby, dressed in curve-hugging jeans and a red turtleneck sweater. Her hair was pulled up with the tips of it grazing her shoulders. Mercy, she was breathtaking. Her eyes twinkled, and her skin glowed. Why, he didn’t even need coffee to perk up after all.
“Hey, are you almost ready?” she asked as she crossed the kitchen and hugged Bandit, kissing his cheek.
Now Wyatt’s blood was boiling. His half-mast irk was waving like a sheet in a tornado, one clothesline clip away from being ripped off. “Ready? Ready for what?”
“Oh, hey, Wyatt.”
Oh, hey, Wyatt? Like she didn’t see him sitting there? “We’re supposed to go look at the orchard today.”
She looked up at Bandit. “I’d totally forgotten about that.”
Bandit tapped her nose with his index finger. “It’s o-o-okay ‘cause you’re c-c-cute.”
Her cheeks turned a hue of rosy pink that bugged Wyatt. Why didn’t she blush like that when he complimented her? He picked up his cup, took a big swig, and stood. “I guess I’ll go by myself.”
“W-w-why don’t you go a-a-ahead and go with Wyatt to see that orchard.” He paused. “Mrs. West was in h-h-here earlier, and she wanted to go over a f-f-few things for Carrie Anne’s wedding since I’m d-d-doing the c-c-cooking.”
The way Wyatt’s heart thrummed against his ribs, he’d have thought he’d won the lottery again. There’d be none of that infuriating canoodling if she and Bandit weren’t together.
Wyatt hung his head as shame filled him. Gabby deserved to be happy, even if that meant Bandit and not him.
The last bit of that thought caught him off guard as he chugged the rest of his coffee, and he choked. He held his chest with his hand and worked to keep coffee from shooting out his nose like Old Faithful at Yellowstone. Where on earth had that idea come from?
“Are you okay, Wyatt?” Gabby asked as she approached him with a kitchen towel in hand.
He took the towel and held it over his mouth until he could catch his breath. “I’m fine.” And he was until he locked eyes with her. Fine flitted out the window and blew down the street. He wasn’t fine at all.
She palmed his cheek. “Are you sure? That sounded like it hurt.”
“No…I mean, yeah, I’m okay,” he said, his voice thick. “If you have plans, we can see the orchard another day.”
Looking over her shoulder, she smiled. “I appreciate the thoughtfulness, but Carrie Anne’s wedding takes priority over my dating life.”
Dating life. Dating Bandit. His mind and his heart screamed it was all wrong. She shouldn’t be dating Bandit. The man was family, but he wasn’t the right guy for Gabby. “Okay, I guess I’ll go get ready.”
“Okay.” She left Wyatt and returned to Bandit, whispering something Wyatt couldn’t make out.
On the way out of the kitchen, he looked over his shoulder, and his chest constricted. Gabby’s little nose had scrunched up as she giggled at whatever Bandit whispered back. Wyatt had loved when she’d done that when they were younger, so much so that there were times when he’d goof around just to see her laugh like that. What would it take for her to do that for Wyatt again? Lord have mercy. It was as earnest a plea as he’d ever had. All these weird feelings needed to just go away.
Now it felt like his time with her was over, or at least the way they used to be. Wyatt couldn’t be the guy who made her laugh or seek her out when he had a problem. Not like he used to do. If she was with Bandit, everything would be different.
All that too-late talk was the problem. His sister putting ideas in his head. Still, her neon words were breaking the dam and flooding his brain.Too late…
Wyatt shook his head, trying to clear his wayward thoughts. It was wrong to even entertain thoughts of stepping between her and Bandit. The guy was family, and so was Gabby. No, Wyatt needed to respect them and be happy for them. That was the right thing to do.
It was time for a shower and then exploring the orchard with a friend, and only a friend. That’s what his head said, but his heart was singing a different tune. One that was off-key, sounding like a tomcat. He rubbed his face with his hands and groaned. Why did all this stuff have to be so complicated?
