Gypsy wasn’t sure where that thought came from, but she couldn’t deny that, ultimately, she wanted what Miranda had with Jack. What Dylan had with Emma. Love. Real love. Deep, lasting love.
But that wasn’t Wyatt. Not with his lifestyle. “I already have too much going on. And he’s going to be struggling with this new responsibility.”
Miranda accepted the subject change. “So, what happened with his niece?”
Gypsy glanced toward the window to make sure Wyatt’s entrance wasn’t imminent. “Honestly, I feel for the guy. His sister-in-law walked out on her daughter’s fifth birthday party and left full guardianship to Wyatt. He’s beside himself. He left Belle with me so he could go talk to the attorney, which made him late picking Belle up. I had to take her to my interviews, which didn’t go over well with my first choice. I offered her the job, and she walked out because she thought that me asking her to watch Belle for a minute was unprofessional.”
“Good riddance. You need way more flexibility in a bar manager.” She sipped her wine. “That must be why Wyatt sent himself to purgatory—I mean the grocery store.”
“Yep.” Gypsy shook her head. “I never could have imagined him jumping into a situation like this with both feet. I mean, he signed the papers, taking complete responsibility for Belle. That’s…huge.”
“Sounds like there might be more to this playboy than you think.”
Gypsy was already shaking her head when the sound of tires on gravel drifted through the windows. Nerves prickled up her arms, and she fixed Miranda with a look. “Don’t go anywhere. I’m hoping he won’t stay long if you’re here.”
Gypsy moved into the kitchen to straighten things up, then ran her hands through her hair and smoothed down her blouse.
“Now I see the problem,” Miranda said. “You like him. You’re staying at arm’s length because you’re really into him.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“I know how you act when you like someone.”
Jesus. Gypsy put a hand on her hip and faced Miranda. “I was wrong. You need to leave.”
“Oh no. Absolutely not. I’ve heard his ass is amazing, and I’ve never had the chance to get a really good look.”
“Miranda…” Gypsy warned.
Her sister didn’t have time to respond before a knock came at the front door. Wyatt didn’t wait for Gypsy to answer, just walked in.
Miranda smirked and lifted her brows in a that’s-interesting expression.
Gypsy took some grocery bags. “What in the heck did you buy? I only had five things on the list.”
“Five things aren’t enough to make a proper supper—” Wyatt caught sight of Miranda and stopped short. “Oh, hi.”
“Hi,” Miranda responded with a little too much enthusiasm.
Wyatt and Belle moved toward the kitchen and settled bags on the counter. Wyatt offered his hand and one of his killer smiles. “I’m Wyatt. I’ve seen you at the bar, yeah? You must be Gypsy’s sister.”
“Miranda.” She shook his hand. “I help out once in a while.”
“He couldn’t find anything,?
?? Belle said with a roll of her eyes. “I had to show him where everything was with the grocery store app, and girls kept stopping us for his autograph.” She added a dramatic sigh. “Tourists.”
Miranda burst out laughing.
Grinning, Wyatt gestured to Belle with a container of bread crumbs. “This is Belle, my niece, five going on twenty-five.”
Miranda and Belle exchanged hellos before Belle’s attention strayed toward the Disney music. She wandered into the living room and introduced herself to Cooper, who in turn offered her an apple slice.
“Look at that,” Miranda said. “Instant friends.”
Gypsy cut her sister a don’t-start glare before stepping up to the counter beside Wyatt and peering into the bags. There was meat and veggies and fruit and seasonings, and God knew what else.
“Staying for dinner, Miranda?” Wyatt asked as he pulled groceries out and set them on the counter.