I call The Daily Drip. “Hey, Lucy isn’t there, is she?”
“Um…” There’s a long pause. “No. Not here.”
I’m a lawyer with a lot of trial experience and know when I’m being bullshitted. “Sounds like you’re lying.”
“You can come and see.”
The invitation comes easily, which means Lucy has ducked out of there. “At least I can call off the police since I know she just left your place.”
“You called the police on us?” Eden squawks.
“I’m just looking out for my fiancée.” I emphasize that last bit before hanging up and texting Lucy again.
Where are u I’ll meet u
Nothing. I shove my bare feet into a pair of running shoes by the back door and head down the street toward The Daily Drip. She’s around here somewhere. I just need to find her.
Chapter Twelve
Lucy
I sip on the hot chocolate Eden made for me while I hide in the back of the coffee shop. The Daily Drip is closed for the day, but Eden had some things to finish up, so she let me hang out back here. She finally pushes through the back door and heads over towards me.
“I think I got him to believe that you just left here. If I had to guess he’ll trace the steps to here. I did my best.”
“Crap.” I check the time again. How did he and Meredith have a date that quickly? And why now? I can’t stand that woman. Wyatt knows how much I dislike her. It stings that he would even consider asking her out on a date. I didn't put her on his list for a reason.
“He’s really freaking out. Talking about calling the police. It’s adorable.” Eden lets out a dreamy sigh like she’s reading a good romance novel. I hate to break it to her, but this one isn’t shaping up to have a happily ever after.
“He was on a date,” I remind her.
“That man is not going to date Meredith. I mean really?” She scrunches her face. “It probably has to do with an event or something.”
“Wyatt has made it clear when the firm does something with Meredith that it’s done through me.” I point out.
I’ve done all their stuff since meeting Wyatt. I shouldn’t because I royally messed up the first one, but I’ve been doing great since. The holiday party was killer this year. But that’s beside the point. “And Meredith explicitly told me they were going on a date.” She was never one to keep her private life private.
“Of course she did. That woman isn’t blind, Lucy. She knows that Wyatt is in love with you.”
I roll my eyes at her. For some reason people don’t think a man and a woman can be friends without there being something romantic. Crap. I guess I am in love with him. There might be something to that theory.
“People that are in love with other people don’t go on dates.”
She lifts a brow at me. Double crap. I did that so that’s not necessarily true either.
“Maybe he wanted to use this as an opportunity to get this whole wedding thing together and doesn't want you to worry over it. I bet he wanted to surprise you.” I bite my bottom lip. Maybe.
As fast as he’s rolling with us getting married, I could see him throwing money at Meredith to get this all handled. She would also be great for spreading the word too. The more Eden talks, the more I start to think I may have overreacted. We’re not really even a couple.
I don’t love the idea of us being married and him dating others, even though this will only be a marriage on paper. The rumors will swirl, and I want no part of that. My mom was so in love with my dad and ignored the cheating for years.
He ended up leaving her for one of his mistresses. My stomach tightens, thinking that very thing could happen to us. What if he finds the woman of his dreams while he’s fake married to me? Then what? We’re going to need ground rules. Another list might do the trick. The last one didn't work out so great. Maybe this one will be more successful if we make it together.
“I should go face the music.” I stuff my now empty cup into the trash can. “Thanks.” I give her a hug.
“My sofa is always open.” She opens the door for me so she can lock it behind me. I give her a wave as I start to make my way back toward Wyatt’s place. Or is it my place too? I wonder if he was annoyed with seeing my crap everywhere.
When I round the corner I almost get run over. Wyatt comes skidding to a halt. “Shit.” He looks a little disheveled. His shirt is unbuttoned, and his hair looks messy, as if he were running his hands through it. It’s not like him to not look put together.