Chapter Thirty-Eight
Now
Piper’s phone pinged halfway through her drive home, and a voicemail notification popped up. How had she missed a call? She
didn’t recognize the number but pressed play.
“Hey, it’s me.” Wyatt’s deep vibrato poured through the speakers, nearly causing her to rear-end the car in front of her.
“It’s Wyatt. I’m calling from Molly’s new number because I don’t think my messages are getting through. I’m calling because...”
He paused, sucking in a winded breath. “I miss you, Piper. I can’t sleep without you. I wake up in the middle of the night
not knowing where I am and reach for you, but you aren’t there. You’re the first thing I think of each morning, and I dream
about you every night. I’m going crazy over here not talking to you. If you’re happy with Tag, I’ll support you. I’ll be happy
for you. But I can’t lose you in my life. Not again.”
His voice cracked, and he gathered himself. “So, if you only have room for me as a friend, I hope I’ve earned that spot back.
And if you have room for more, well, I’d very much like to discuss that, too.” He took another pained breath, and she could
picture him running his fingers through his hair like he did when agitated.
Piper’s throat tightened. She missed him deeply and not just in a “we’ve been through major trauma together” kind of way. She craved his company and ached for his touch. She missed his dimpled smile, easy laughter—even his know-it-all survival tips. Hearing his voice without being able to hold him was a bittersweet reminder of the distance between them. Like tasting sea
salt without feeling the crash of ocean waves. Her emotions swirled like stormy waters, and she almost missed the end of his message.
“Sorry, this is getting rambly and weird, but I’m at the clubhouse right now. Being out here in the woods helps me think and
keeps me calm. It’s where I’ve been sleeping at night since I got back.” He took another stuttering breath. “Anyway, I’m heading
to the airport in a few hours, but I’d love to see you. I need to see you. If you get this, please come find me.”
Her heart almost stopped beating. The airport! Was he going back to Denver already? She hadn’t had enough time to set things
straight, to tell him she loved him. Twice now, he’d been brave enough to share his inner thoughts, his deepest feelings with
her, and she had yet to return the favor. Timing had never been their strong suit, but this felt ironically unfair.
At a red light, Piper checked when he’d left the message. Over two hours ago. He must have called when she was getting ready
for dinner, and she’d ignored the unknown number. Pressing her foot down harder on the gas, she urged the car to speed home,
hoping against hope she wasn’t too late.
She pulled into her driveway with a screech, grabbed the milkshakes, and ran toward the clubhouse. Bursting into the tiny
house like a wild animal, out of breath, her hair windblown, she called out for him. “Wyatt?”
No response.
The clubhouse was empty.
Piper set the sweating milkshake cups on the wooden table. The last time she’d been to the clubhouse was over a year ago for a glamping-themed celebration of Allie’s engagement. The twinkle lights they’d strung for the party still glowed, though not all the bulbs worked. Faint evening light streamed in through the windows, lighting the room like the inside of a honey jar. On the far side of the clubhouse floor, someone, likely Wyatt, had arranged an assortment of sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows—a comfier re-creation of their island sleeping arrangements.
Sinking to the floor, Piper settled into the pile of pillows and leaned back against the wall, cursing herself for being too
late. For not paying attention to her voicemails. For blocking Wyatt all those years ago.
She tried calling, then texting Wyatt to let him know she was at the clubhouse, but both call and text went unanswered. Maybe
she could still stop him at the airport?
Next, she texted Molly. Hey! Do you know what time Wyatt’s flight was?
He’s on his way home now came Molly’s swift reply.
So, that was it. At this very moment, Wyatt was flying home to Denver and away from her without so much as a goodbye.
Piper didn’t bother wiping away the tears spilling down her face. Why hadn’t she told Wyatt she loved him when given the chance?
She’d been so worried about saying the wrong thing or getting hurt that she’d frozen.
Eight years ago, she’d given up on their relationship, but she wasn’t that scared little girl anymore. Heartbreak and rejection
no longer frightened her. Now she only feared not living her life to the fullest, not taking the kinds of risks that mattered—and
losing Wyatt.
This couldn’t be the end.
Drying her eyes, Piper formulated a new plan, determined not to let miscommunication and bad timing tear them apart again. Maybe she could get on a plane for Wyatt. The mere idea of flying made her stomach burn, but sitting idle and doing nothing was unbearable. According to the airline’s website, the next flight to Denver left in two hours. If she hurried, she could arrive there by late tonight.
Piper stood and took a long, frothy pull of her milkshake, the sweet drink spreading liquid courage to her nerves.
She could do this.
Securing her hair into a high ponytail, she opened the clubhouse door to face this next challenge, but an animal moving at
breathtaking speed knocked her to the floor.
Something wet and warm licked her face.
From the ground, Piper blinked.
A shaggy black dog with a teddy bear face nudged a green, chewed-up stuffed animal toward her with his nose, whining softly.
He wanted to play.
Piper pushed herself up to sit, still catching her breath. The dog resembled a real-life version of the cartoon Goofy, with
floppy black ears and a big dumb grin. Most of his fur was dark, but he had a white ruffled bib of curls on his chest and
tufts of white hair between his toes. She scratched behind his ears, searching for a collar or identification, but found none.
“Where did you come from?”
The dog settled at her feet, his head resting on his stuffed animal toy, looking up at her balefully. Judging from his full
belly and shiny coat, this was someone’s pet, not a wild animal coming to eat her. Good thing, because that would have been
a very tragic ending after her already pathetic evening.
“Badger!” a voice shouted from outside. A familiar voice that sent butterflies scattering in all directions deep in her stomach.
A voice she loved.
Piper wiped the mascara from under her tearstained eyes, certain she must be dreaming. A moment later, Wyatt’s broad frame filled the clubhouse door. Even though his Wranglers and fitted white shirt were wrinkled, his eyes haunted, and his hair disheveled, Wyatt was the most welcome sight she’d ever seen—sunshine piercing through the clouds on a rainy day.
All she wanted was to bury herself in his warm pine scent and feel the scratch of his beard against her cheek. To press her
lips against his and forget all the pain and confusion they’d ever caused each other, but everything left unspoken between
them prevented her from running to him.
Wyatt snapped his fingers, and Badger jumped up to sit beside him. “Sorry about Badger. He has a hard time with boundaries.”
He smoothed his bedhead hair and gifted her with a shy smile. “I was hoping you’d be here.”
Slowly, Piper stood, brushing the wrinkles out of her dress.
“I’m here. But what are you doing here?” Her brain whirled.
Wyatt remained in the doorway, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Molly said you were looking for me? I would
have called, but my phone died. I keep forgetting to charge it.”
“Yeah, I was. I got you a milkshake.” Piper nodded at the Charlie’s Diner cup on the table between them—an easier explanation
than everything she needed to tell him.
Wyatt walked closer and gave the milkshake a sniff. “As long as it’s not papaya flavored, I’ll drink it.”
“It’s Oreo. Extra cherries.”
He took a sip. “My favorite.”
“I know.”
He caught her gaze, pulling her underwater until she was drowning in his silver eyes.
“I got your message.” Piper took a tentative step in his direction. “You said you were going to the airport. Shouldn’t you
be in Denver right now?”
He groaned, realization dawning on his face. “No! I went to the airport to pick up Badger. A friend of mine flew him out because
I’ve missed him so much.”
Badger barked from his corner like he knew he was the topic of conversation.
“Oh, my God. We really can’t keep up with one another!” Piper burst into chaotic laughter, happy relief coursing through her
like cool water on a burn.
Wyatt’s mouth tugged up in a half smile, but his eyes remained guarded, uncertain. “Did you listen to the rest of my message?”
A tremor tinged his words.
His nerves gave her strength.
“I did. I also left you several voicemails, but I don’t think you got them.”
“I didn’t.” Wyatt stepped forward until he stood within arm’s length of her. “What did they say?”
Piper inhaled shakily. This was it. The moment she’d been waiting for. Her chance to lay it all on the table.
She lifted her face, capturing his gaze. “They said, I’m sorry I left the hospital the way I did. I should have made it clear
Tag’s not my boyfriend. He never was, and my mom knows that now. I said, sometimes I wish we were still on the island because
then I’d get to wake up next to you.” Words poured out of her like a waterfall now. “I left a message saying I hate falling
asleep without saying good night to you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I miss you. You’re my best friend, and I need you—”
Wyatt cut her off before she could finish, closing the gap between them with a single stride. Putting a hand behind her head,
he pulled her roughly toward him until his open mouth joined hers. The shock of his hot lips on hers jolted every fiber of
her being.
Brought her back to life.
His tongue tangled with hers, spelling out his love for her without words, his mouth moving over hers with the same uncontrollable longing she’d been holding on to for what felt like a lifetime. Kissing Wyatt mended her wounded ego and bruised heart. Every kiss pulled her deeper in love.
Piper wove her fingers through Wyatt’s thick hair, tugging him closer, straining to press her entire length against his. He
responded by clasping his hands under her butt and hiking her up so their faces aligned. Emboldened by this new access to
his lips, Piper wrapped her legs around him like a pretzel, crushing herself to him, deepening their kiss. She could stay
like this all night and planned to, but first, there was so much she needed to say.
Pulling back, she rested her forehead on his, their noses touching. “Wait, wait. I still need to tell you something.”
A flash of fear passed over Wyatt’s face, and he set her down.
Piper twined her fingers through one of his hands and stroked his cheek with her other hand, wanting to wipe the doubt from
his brow. Swallowing hard, she made herself look at him before she spoke. “I need to tell you I love you. That I’m in love with you.”
Though they were terrifying to say out loud, it was a relief to release words that had been frolicking in her heart for days,
years, yearning to burst free.
Wyatt’s grin split his face, dimples beaming on full display.
“Come here,” he murmured, pulling her back to him and kissing her, unrushed and deliberate. Then he crushed her to his chest,
burying his face in her hair. She hugged him back, breathing deeply, wondering if she had ever been this happy in her whole
life.
“I love you, too,” he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down Piper’s spine. “Always have.”
His affirmation set her soul on fire. She lifted her face and found his lips again. Her whole body buzzed like she was filled
with champagne fizz and might float away on a cloud of happiness. Only Wyatt’s lips on her cheeks, her neck, and her mouth
kept her anchored to earth.
Wyatt had Piper’s dress off before she’d even unbuckled his belt. She tugged at his pants while he pulled off his T-shirt and tossed it to the side, not looking where he threw it. His gaze locked on hers, a hunter staring down his prey. The second he kicked his shoes off, he scooped Piper up and laid her on the pile of blankets on the floor.
“Thank God I dragged these out here,” he said, more to himself than to Piper as he kissed his way from the curve of her neck
to the valley between her breasts.
“It is a step up from sleeping on a bridesmaid dress.” She sighed happily as his mouth teased one breast, then the other.
Wyatt continued kissing down her stomach, past her belly button, to the part of her that ached most for his touch. “What I
have planned for you does not involve sleep.”
Piper choked out a strangled “good” before losing herself under Wyatt’s roguish mouth until she begged him for more.
For all of him.
She pulled on his hair, yanking him back up until he hovered over her.
“I love you,” she told him again, running her hands over his shoulders and down his back, then back into his hair, coaxing
him closer.
He stilled, staring deep into her eyes. “I love you, too.”
Was he remembering their first time in this exact location the way she was? It was unbelievable how far they’d come from that
moment, how much had changed, and how deep their love had grown.
Then he was moving inside her, and Piper couldn’t think about anything but the feel of Wyatt deep within her. Time stood still,
sunlight waning, shadows stretching across the wooden floor. Once again, they were on an island of their own, the world melting
away around them. Piper could see the boy he’d been, the man he’d grown into, and the guy she wanted to spend the rest of
her life with all at once.
She loved every one of them.
When they parted, Wyatt drew a blanket over them and held her against his chest, kissing the top of her head.
From his corner, Badger barked loudly, demanding some of the attention for himself. Wyatt whistled, and Badger trotted over,
tail wagging.
Piper turned in Wyatt’s arms to rub Badger’s furry stomach as he sprawled before her. “I can see why you missed him. He’s
awfully cute.”
“Don’t let him fool you. He’s a troublemaker.”
“Kind of like someone else I know,” she teased.
He laughed into her hair.
Badger nosed his chewed-up stuffed animal closer to Piper and whined.
“He wants you to play, but once you start, he’ll never leave you alone,” Wyatt warned. “He takes that thing with him everywhere.”
Piper indulged Badger by throwing the toy to the corner of the clubhouse, laughing as he retrieved it in several bounds and
carried it back, panting eagerly. “What is it?”
“Well, it was a frog, but he’s chewed it beyond recognition. Damn dog stole it from me the day I adopted him.”
Piper examined the shredded stuffed animal more closely, recognizing the shape of its worn-out eyes. Warmth tickled her rib
cage. “Wait, is this the frog you won from the state fair?”
He kissed her temple, his hand snaking around her stomach to tug her closer. “It’s the frog you won and gave to me. That thing’s been to literal war and back without a scratch and look at it now. I can’t blame Badger,
though. It acted as my lucky charm for many years, and now it’s his.”
Piper tossed the toy for Badger again and twisted in Wyatt’s arms, facing him. Cupping his face, she looked at him in awe,
her eyes prickling with happy tears. “You kept it all this time?”
He swallowed thickly and nodded, arms tightening around her. “Even when we were apart, I never stopped thinking about you. You were always with me.”
Piper melted into his kiss, blown away by how much Wyatt truly loved her. Had always loved her. All this time, she’d felt
blindsided by him, but maybe she’d just been blind. Because here in this moment, lying in his embrace, cocooned in his warmth
and on fire from his kisses, there was no other way to interpret how he felt about her. They were meant to be together, and
no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side.
Piper lifted her gaze to him. “So, am I your girlfriend again?”
“No.” Wyatt laughed at the frown on Piper’s face. He tilted her chin up for another kiss. “You’re my everything.”
Piper smiled against his lips and burrowed into the nook on his chest, carved for her alone. She could get used to that.
“So, I have some news.” She kissed his chest above his heart. “I quit med school. Officially. I’m not jumping into anything
right away, but I’m considering studying to be a librarian, and there happens to be a great program out west.”
“Piper, that’s amazing! You would be an awesome librarian. Congrats. How far west are we talking? Close to Colorado?” He held
up crossed fingers.
“Very close. It’s in Denver. I thought I might check out the campus and see if I could make a life there.”
Wyatt grinned. “I could help with that.”
“I was hoping you would.”
“So, it’s settled. As soon as I’m cleared from physical therapy, you, Badger, and I will road-trip to Denver.”
She angled her face to kiss him. “That sounds perfect.”
“Maybe we can detour and visit my uncle and cousins in Tennessee.”
Piper sat up. “Really? You reached out to them?”
“I did, and they want to meet me. But I’d love company if you’re up for the adventure.”
“I’m not sure I trust your definition of adventure, but that sounds like something I can handle.” There was no way she’d miss
meeting Wyatt’s extended family.
Piper groaned. “Speaking of family, I should let my parents know where I am so they don’t call the National Guard.” She shimmied
back into her dress before texting her parents.
“What are your parents going to think about this?” Wyatt frowned, following her lead and sitting up, pulling on his boxers
and T-shirt. “About you and me.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s my life, not theirs.” Piper sat cross-legged in front of him.
Wyatt bit his lip, still looking worried. “I’ve spent the last eight years doing everything I can to become someone worthy
of you. To prove I’m good enough to call you my girl. All I ever wanted was to be the kind of man that you’re proud to be
with. And I want your parents to be proud, too.”
She placed her hands on his shoulders. “You are more than worthy. You always have been.” She wished he could see himself the
way she saw him. Strong, brave, kind. Exceptional.
When he wouldn’t meet her gaze, she climbed into his lap and wrapped her legs and arms around him, so he had nowhere else
to look but at her. “Anyone who can’t see how wonderful you are is an idiot. And that includes my parents. No one will tell
me what I should be or who I should be with. And I want to be with you.”
His eyes swirled with a brewing storm of emotions, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
She kissed his cheek, nose, then the corner of his lips, forcing him to acknowledge her words. “You’re the best guy I know,
and I’m so lucky to be loved by you.”
“We’re both pretty lucky,” he agreed, capturing her lips in a kiss.
“The luckiest.”
Wyatt withdrew, his expression growing serious. “Hey, can I ask you something important?”
“Anything.” A million terrible scenarios raced through her head.
“How does The Wrong Duke end? It’s been keeping me up at night.”
Piper dissolved into laughter and smacked his arm. “I thought you hated that book.”
“I don’t hate it!” he protested. “I need to know if Lady Arrieta and the Duke figure it out.”
“They do. It ends happily ever after.”
Wyatt beamed, dimples flashing. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too,” Piper said, sealing her words with a kiss.