Page 39 of Charm Me

“Are you ready to get started on the Strong Valley Ranch account? I know your schedule has been hectic wrapping up a few other accounts, but Wyatt would like you to get started as soon as possible.”

“You talked to Wyatt?” There was way too much surprise in my voice and Glen cocked his head to the side, giving me a questioning look.

“Yes, he was here late yesterday to approve your proposal and go over some final contract details for the acquisitions. We should have them signed soon. He seemed eager for you to get started.”

My jaw dropped. I had to have heard him wrong. If Wyatt were in town, he’d call me. Right? “I’m sorry what did you say?”

“Wyatt would like you to get started on the expansion project as soon as possible.”

“No, the part about you seeing him. He’s here?”

“Well, I don’t know where he is now, but he came by the office yesterday shortly after five to go over the contract. Are you okay Zoe. You seem ... flustered.”

Fuck me. So much for feeling like my old self again. “No, I’m fine. I am completely fine.”

I shut down my computer and started gathering my things to head home. I was well aware of the confused and curious way that Glen looked at me, but I didn’t care anymore. Wyatt was in town and he hadn’t called me. How else was I supposed to interpret that?

“I can get started on the Strong account first thing on Monday and get a schedule to Wyatt by the end of next week.”

“Okay,” Glen said, slow and drawn out.

I hesitated for a moment and I could feel his eyes watching me. My response to learning Wyatt had been here was inappropriate and had stirred suspicion from Glen. I tossed my purse over my shoulder and looked up at him. If he was going to call me out on my behavior, might as well get it over with now. As soon as my eyes met his, his stare softened and turned from confusion to something a little more like sympathy.

He nodded. “I’ll let Wyatt know. Thanks Zoe.”

As soon as he was out of sight, my shoulders sagged.

What the actual fuck?

Wyatt was in town and he hadn’t bothered to call or text. Nothing.

I grabbed my phone and opened his contact. I started to text him. I typed and deleted four different messages before I closed his contact and messaged Kate and Stephanie instead.

911, drinks now, our usually spot

I headed to the elevator in need of lots of alcohol. Wyatt had to know Glen would tell me he saw him. Had I really been so naive? Again.

A person can’t fake that kind of emotion. Can they?I mean, people faked orgasms all the time, but what happened between us was far more intimate than just sex. There was no faking any of that shit between us.

Maybe I was that stupid and ignorant about men. I didn’t exactly have the best track record.

None of this made sense based on the man he showed me he was with my parents. The Wyatt I knew would tell me himself to get started in the account. He would reach out to me and tell me he was in town. He would answer my damn text messages.

Especially after what we shared.

***

BY THE TIME I ARRIVEDat The Rock Room, happy hour was well underway. It was a popular spot for the business class, and tonight was a typical busy Thursday. I didn’t see any tables open, so I headed to the bar.

Glancing around the large open concept room, I made sure I didn’t miss Kate and Stephanie before I claimed the last reaming chairs open at the bar. I spread my jacket over two chairs to save them and sat down.

“The usual, Zoe?” Luke asked. He’d been bartending and serving us drinks at this bar for a couple years now and knew what drinks we liked.

“No. I need something stronger tonight. Whiskey, on the rocks.” I dropped my head back on the bar stool and sighed. “Make it a double.”

“That good, huh?” Luke eyed me with a raised brow. “I’m not used to seeing you so glim. Want to talk about it?”

I sighed and dropped my head down on the bar. I was so tired of feeling this way and hated that it was so obvious to those who knew me.