26. The Third Wheel
26
THE THIRD WHEEL
ODETTE
B efore Mary arrived, the first day of the summit was easy and lovely. I enjoyed chatting with new faces and they seemed glad to see me. Mary, meanwhile, sucked up all the room’s energy. I couldn’t blame people. Her enigmatic personality drew everyone in. On day two, the flirting began. Wyatt swore nothing was happening—like I swore I had no feelings for him. The jealousy and anguish came to a head when we were seated at her table at the accompanying gala.
“So, how did you meet?” I asked.
“Oh, Wy didn’t tell you?” Mary took a long sip of her wine and shot him doe eyes. “We went to college together. Of course, Wyatt notably dropped out and got very rich. I stayed and became a politician.”
I cocked my head.
“We went to Cal. He got caught up with his coding thing. I got caught up in taking over the family business… and here we are. Wyatt was a fresh face when I was just about to graduate.”
He rolled his eyes. “She graduated that year. I dropped out. I promise you it wasn’t my intent. The business just took over.”
“It’s okay. You did alright either way. You had your glow-up, too. He always had a heart of gold, but I can assure you, Your Royal Highness, Wyatt’s wardrobe has vastly improved.”
He blushed. “Glad for the compliment, Mary.”
“Anytime, Wy.”
“We were in student government together,” Wyatt added. “I was my dorm rep. She was our president, natch.”
“He was cute. Quiet. Never spoke up much. But when he did, it was worth listening—unlike most of us blowhards.”
It was the way she looked at him. She adored him. There was a past here. I couldn’t bear it. It was one thing for him to turn me down because we were all wrong, and it was another to watch a woman throw herself at him. I hated it.
“I’m a dork. You can say it, Mary.”
She laughed heartily and put her hand on his arm. I tried not to pull a face. I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to get out of there before I acted ridiculously. I needed to leave, cry, and admit defeat. In the interim, I’d return to the room, curl up with my e-reader, and order another bottle of wine.
I rubbed my temples. “You know, I’m getting a headache. I might have to head back.”
“Oh, really? That’s no good,” Mary said.
I bet you think that!
“Yeah. Sometimes, I get these headaches,” I lied.
I had gotten headaches. Then, I got on my current regimen of meds, and they stopped. It was a happy fringe benefit.
“Can I do anything?” Wyatt asked.
“No, I think you have your hands full. I’ll be fine. No need to be a third wheel.”
I didn’t mean for it to come off so sharp, but it did. I watched Wyatt’s face twist in concern or confusion. I couldn’t tell which.
“See you in the morning.”
I retreated in defeat. Since my ex, I’d had no luck. I hadn’t even looked at another man until Wyatt. I’d been relatively happy—satisfied with my dog, bike, and music. I’d told myself it was enough. Then, I got excited.
“You never should have believed in it,” I whispered. “It was stupid to think he would end up with you.”
Tears welled as I approached my hotel suite. Security rushed ahead to open the door for me. There, waiting, was Grieg. In his mouth, he held one of my socks—the sweetest peace offering. I sat, crying now, and hugged him. He crawled into my lap, licking the salty tears from my cheeks.
“At least I have you,” I said. “At least you’ll never leave me, right?”