Chapter 6

Ruby

I pace the room, my mind in overdrive at the thought of seeing Wyatt. I wonder if my fantasy has managed to come close to the reality of who he is today. I wonder if he’s even more amazing than my imagination can conjure.

More than anything though, I wonder if he’s thinking similar things about me—or, more accurately, I hope he is. In reality, though, I’m sure it’s unlikely. I highly doubt that a man like Wyatt is dwelling too much on his best friend’s kid sister.

Sure, we shared a kiss once, but that was all it ever amounted to. A single, fleeting kiss. One he likely hasn’t thought of since.

I groan at the probability, crossing back to my desk to once again check my image on my phone. Not bad, though I wish I had been given more notice. If I had known Wyatt was coming on this trip, I probably would have put more effort into getting ready today.

With a sigh, I collapse back into my chair, idly drumming my nails on my desk as I watch the clock crawl slowly forward.

I shouldn’t be this worked up. I know that. I’m a grown woman, not a gangly high school girl. Somehow though, the mere mention of Wyatt’s name seems to have transported me back in time. Back to the person I was all those years ago at the lake house.

I reach again for my vacation journal, flipping quickly to the pages that mention Wyatt.

God, was I ever in deep.

Page after page of clumsily scrawled text meets me, all with that familiar name etched repeatedly. Even the sight of it makes my heart beat faster.

I skim through the paragraphs, feeling equal parts embarrassed and turned on, every sentence bringing Wyatt more sharply into my mind. The mental images of him play on a loop as I read, each more enticing than the last.

Wyatt, shirtless and diving into the lake, muscles glinting in the bright sun. His ridiculously radiant smile flashing at me from across the dinner table. More than anything though, I see his deep blue eyes glinting mischievously at me, sparkling as he leans in for a kiss. Over and over, in startling clarity, I relive this last memory, heat growing stronger between my legs with every passing second.

I read quickly over passages that damn near scream “fixated”, every word dripping with youthful obsession. Still, though, I don’t regret writing a single one. Even to this day, I remember what it felt like; wanting him, being so damn close to him, and feeling unable to act on my impulses.

I actually laugh aloud as I come to a page detailing my desperate desire to have his babies. Okay, even I can admit, that one might be a bit much.

I meant it though. At the time, there was little else I could think of. Well, other than actually making said babies, of course. That fantasy pretty well trumped all the others.

I can’t help but picture it again now, imagining the feel of his rough hands sliding over my body. I bite my lip, closing my eyes to focus on the thought. I swear I can damn near feel it, practically see his eyes shining across at me.

A small moan escapes my lips involuntarily, startling me from my fantasy.

I look anxiously around, reminding myself that this is neither the time, nor the place. I can only imagine what would happen if Fentress were to walk in on me in this state; biting my lip and moaning.

I’ve gotten pretty good at curbing his offers, but that one might be hard to talk my way out of.

I clear my throat, sitting up straight in my chair and trying to look as professional as possible. There’s plenty of time for daydreaming later. Right now, I need to get my head on straight.

The images of Wyatt dim in my mind, though I can’t seem to get rid of them entirely. It’s amazing, just the simple thought of him, and I’m sent reeling back into my old fixation.

I tell myself to knock it off, that he likely has no interest in me anyway, but a stubborn voice in my mind begs to differ.

I mean, why not?

As much as it might feel like it at this moment, I am not in high school anymore. I am more than Wyatt’s best friend’s kid sister. I’m a grown-ass woman now. Far more confident and assured than I was all those years ago.

Plus, I now have tits, which doesn’t hurt matters any.

As much as I don’t want to get too invested in the idea, it is possible. Things have changed, me among them. Who’s to say my relationship with Wyatt can’t change as well?

I allow myself to really ponder the thought, and, surprisingly enough, it only seems more realistic the longer I think about it.

After all these years, we’re going back to the lake house together. Back to the scene of the crime, so to speak. Only this time, we’re all grown up.

It might just be that this vacation helps us to pick up where we left off all those years ago. I can’t speak for Wyatt, but I for damn sure want to see what comes after that kiss.

God knows I’ve thought about it enough.

And if the reality is even half as good as my fantasies, well then it was fucking worth the wait.

I feel a smile pulling at my lips and look back to my journal, again thinking back to the girl I used to be. She’d want me to go for it. Oh, fuck, would she ever.

I continue to smile as I resume flipping through pages, skimming across my own sloppy handwriting with renewed interest.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself here but this might actually be the start of something. Maybe even the start of a real relationship with the man of my dreams.

Well, wildest fantasies, but still.

If all goes well on this trip, I’m sure I’ll have lots of new things to write about.