I rolled my eyes at him. “Do your cheesy pickup lines actually work?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you let me know?” he replied, waggling his eyebrows.
“You are ridiculous.”
“I think you mean adorable,” he said, taking a bite of jelly donut. He moaned, closing his eyes in pure pleasure.
I instantly felt my cheeks heat and took a gulp of my tea to distract myself.
Wyatt demolished the donut then flipped the lid of the box closed to read the label. “Sweet Pea’s? Is this place in town?”
“Yeah, it’s in the back of that old antique store on Main Street.”
“Really? I’ve never noticed it.”
I shrugged. “A lot of people say that.”
“Well, they should advertise because these are amazing. How’d you find it?”
“I work there in the summers.”
Wyatt’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Penny Layne, do you mean to tell me I can hang out with you and get free donuts all summer long?”
I laughed. “I guess.”
Wyatt slowly shook his head. “I’ve been doing this all wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I can’t believe I’ve been letting my parents ship me off to London when I could’ve been summering at your heavenly donut shop.”
I snorted and nearly inhaled powdered sugar. Only Wyatt could get away with calling working at Sweet Pea’s, ‘summering’.
Before I’d gotten to know him, I would’ve thought he was mocking me with a comment like that. But the more time I spent with him, the more obvious it was that he seemed as lost and lonely as I was, which was strange considering he had every opportunity I didn’t.
I’d always thought if my dad hadn’t deserted us my life would’ve been better. My mom wouldn’t have to work two jobs, I wouldn’t have to babysit and spend my summers working just to afford music lessons and thrift store clothes. I could be normal.
But Wyatt was normal—well, his lifestyle was well above normal—but he had everything I didn’t, and he still wasn’t happy.
He had two parents, but they never seemed to be around. And all the expensive things in his house didn’t seem to do much to help stave off his loneliness. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so keen on spending all his time with me.
I guess the grass isn’t always greener.
“So is your mom home today?” I asked.
“Why? Fancy snapping a photo of her in her beauty mask?” Wyatt teased.
“No,” though I still giggled at the memory.
Wyatt grinned. “I doubt she’ll let that happen again.” He chuckled. “I can still picture the horror on her face.”
“Well, I hope she’s not making herself scarce because of me.”
He waved off my concern. “She’s at my grandparents. We’ve got the place to ourselves.”
He said it without any innuendo, which stung. It shouldn’t have. We were strictly partners, but the fact that Wyatt was dropping his flirtatious ways with me still hurt my heart.
It had been fun to feel sparks for a change—even if I knew they’d never go anywhere.
I supposed I should be glad that this little fairytale was fizzling. It would be over in a week, and I’m sure Wyatt would find a new ‘project’ or two to distract him once he wasn’t saddled with me.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Wyatt
Layne’s mood seemed to sour as I watched her stare into her tea. I hated when she let her insecurities dim her sparkle. I still didn’t know what it was that vexed her. The girl was a vault. The only time I caught glimpses behind the curtain was when she shared her songbook. Her lyrics were hauntingly sad, yet strangely familiar.
I don’t know what it was about her that intrigued me so, but she drew me in like we were kindred spirits. It made me want to keep digging; but getting her to open up beyond casual friendship was proving impossible.
It was true my motives were slightly selfish, but I’d done a good job of hiding them for the most part. I’d even managed to convince myself that I only needed to know her better to do her songs justice. But the more time I spent with her, the more that felt like a lie.
Facing the truth had never been my strong suit, so I did what I always did. I pushed my feelings aside and tried not to focus on the storm clouds gathering in Layne’s beautiful brown eyes. I knew from experience it was no use trying to get people to let me in when they didn’t want to. I couldn’t get my own parents to, so I shouldn’t expect Layne to be any different.
Yet even as I told myself this, I still found myself trying with her. Despite my motives, one simple fact remained—when Layne was happy, I was happy.
When we were together, I did my best to chase away Layne’s sullen moods with my humor. I’d even cut back on my usual flirtatious ways since I’d noticed it often brought on bouts of her nerves and storminess. But today I hadn’t expected to have to work so hard. I’d thought she’d be excited. We were about to record her music.
Luckily, I had a trick up my sleeve that I was sure would brighten her day.
“So, Penny Layne, you ready to do this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Oh, come on, admit it, you’re a little excited,” I said, grabbing her slim shoulders. “Or, at least you will be once I show you where we’re recording.”
“I thought you said we were recording here?”
I gave her a mischievous smirk. “I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Wyatt,” she groaned, making me grin further. “I don’t like surprises.”
“Trust me, you’ll like this one,” I whispered into her ear, steering her out of the kitchen.
Somehow, I convinced Layne to let me blindfold her before I led her down the stairs to the basement, which my father had converted into a recording studio.
I may have been enjoying the way she clung to me a bit too much as we traversed the staircase. Her hands were locked around mine as I led her into the room, telling her to pick up her feet and step over imaginary things just to see if she’d do it.
She listened without pause every time. I was having a hard time holding my amusement in, my shoulders shaking as I tried not to laugh. I knew I should probably stop messing with her, but I couldn’t resist one more.
“Now lift your right foot,” I commanded. “You have to step over another wire.”
I watched her high step behind me and bit my lip to control my laughter. She looked ridiculously adorable.
“Okay, we’re almost there,” I said, moving her into the perfect spot for the big reveal. “No cheating,” I added, as I tugged her a step closer.
I placed her hands on my chest, enjoying the slight tremble that rippled through her as I reached for the blindfold. My eyes fell to her lips as they parted. I could just make out their heart-shaped silhouette in the darkness. A sudden ache to taste her lips again rocked me, nearly crushing my resolve. I reminded myself I wasn’t supposed to be reacting to Layne this way. We were strictly business.
I took a steadying breath and let my mouth find her ear. She shivered as my breath whispered softly against her skin. “Keep your eyes closed until I turn on the lights,” I murmured before letting the blindfold slip away.