Chapter 8
Nemesis
Caroline
Water running from Wyatt’s shower could be heard through the wall.
And thanks to that obnoxious little striptease, I could vividly picture his naked chest under the water.
It was a struggle to think of anything else.
Shirtless Wyatt didn’t look like shirtless Greg.
It was like the difference between my Louboutins and a Target knockoff.
In case anyone’s confused: Greg was the knock-off.
I rummaged through Wyatt’s stacks of neatly rolled T-shirts (the only article of clothing he owned in excess), searching for one that would be adequate for dinner.
I scurried out of his closet and his room.
I don’t think I could handle seeing him in just a towel.
Greg always talked about what a player his cousin was, but this was the first time Wyatt had unleashed his moves on me.
And mercy! I had to remind myself of all the reasons Wyatt Knox was a terrible idea.
Inviting him to dinner was admittedly an odd choice, especially since it wasn’t just eating with Charlie and Jane. We were having dinner at my mom’s boyfriend’s house for the first time.
I invited Wyatt because I refused to be a fifth wheel to two happy couples.
Plus, he was easy company. I never felt the need to entertain Wyatt or prop up his ego like I did with other men.
Also, I thought it would be a good opportunity to convince him to let me refresh his wardrobe.
I found it aggravating that Wyatt insisted he didn’t need my help. The man didn’t even own a suit.
As I waited for him in his living room, I found myself studying that photo of him with the Maserati.
“You’re low-key obsessed with that,” Wyatt said as he padded into the room, freshly showered, his wet hair leaving dark splotches on the shirt I picked out for him.
He looked ridiculously good in that plain gray T-shirt.
Perhaps he was onto something with his minimalist wardrobe.
He didn’t need flashy clothes. His fine physique and classic features called for a curated closet with a few carefully selected, well-made items. “Is it me or the car that you like staring at?” he asked, the glint back in his eye.
“You were a cute kid.” I set the picture down. “But no, I’m thinking about the car.” I took a deep breath; it was time for the sales pitch. “As long as I’m giving you a makeover, maybe I can help you win that car. I have a few single friends I could set you up with.”
“I don’t need a matchmaker, Caroline.”
“But I would love to see Greg lose. Is he... dating anyone right now?”
“Of course,” he said with irritation, folding his arms across his chest. “This is about Greg.”
“No, let me explain.” My attempt at being subtle was crashing and burning. I decided to be direct. “Your dad wants the car back.”
“I know that. He has talked about getting the Spyder back my whole life.”
“Yeah, but now . . . well . . . to be blunt, that’s why he hired me.”
The strangest look crossed Wyatt’s face. “To marry me?”
“No, no, of course not. Not me.” For some reason I was blushing. “But yes, he wants me to help you get married. So you get the car and the money. He didn’t want me to tell you, but I think I’d better let you in on his plan.”
Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck.
“Who do you think I should marry?”
“Emma.”
“Emma?” He raked his hands through his damp hair. “You want me to marry Emma?” He sounded deadly serious.
“It’s worth considering your options. I mean, I bet you could do a lot with a million.”
Wyatt turned on me. “You will not marry me off!” His gentle brown eyes hardened. “I knew you and my dad were up to some stupid scheme, but Emma?”
“She seems lovely . . . and she likes you.”
“Hard pass.” He glowered at me. “Apparently, I prefer women who despise me.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have told you about Emma... and your dad’s plan to get the car back.”
“No, Caroline, that’s about the only thing you did right.
” He stepped toward me until he was so close that I could smell his clean, soapy scent.
“I one hundred percent do not need you to set me up or make me over.” His angry eyes flared.
I gulped. Under his gaze, I became lightheaded.
He spoke the next words slowly and deliberately.
“I have never had a problem convincing women to date me.”
As his face loomed closer, I instinctively parted my lips, half-expecting, half-hoping he would kiss me. “I... believe... that,” I stammered.
“Good.” He stepped back, shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled wickedly.
“Glad that’s cleared up.” He sat down and put his shoes on as calmly as if he were Mister Rogers singing, “It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood.
” Meanwhile, I tried to control my riotous heart.
“Who’s going to be at this dinner exactly?
” he asked, casually moving on to everyday chit chat.
“Oh, Charlie... and his wife Jane and my mom and her boyfriend,” I answered, trying my best to match his nonchalant tone.
Wyatt’s eyes narrowed. “Is this your first time meeting your mom’s boyfriend?”
“No, I’ve met him before.” I bit my lip. “But... this is my first time having dinner at his house.”
“And you invited me?” His eyes sparked with amusement. He held a hand to his heart. “I’m honored.”
“I didn’t want to be a fifth wheel,” I explained. “And you were my only option.”
“How flattering. Did you even talk to your brother about my business?”
“I did, and he’s interested, he really is. But Wyatt, I don’t want to go to this with some guy I just met on my dating app.”
“Like I said, I’m honored.” He double-knotted his shoelaces and stood up.
“That’s it? You don’t have any more snarky remarks for me?” I asked. His lips twitched, his eyes laughed. “Just say it,” I demanded.
“Sounds like you’re the one who needs a matchmaker.”
***
“You nervous?” Wyatt asked as he parked his 1967 Porsche with an electric motor in front of Jeff’s home. Yes, I was nervous. I was terrified my mom would marry this man and move out, and I would be on my own. Everyone was moving on but me. I forced a smile.
“Me, nervous? Never.” I walked to the front door, trying to stay ahead of Wyatt, which was tricky since he was a foot taller than me and had the longest legs.
I hesitated before pushing the doorbell, my right hand hovering in the air by the buzzer. Wyatt reached over and gave my left hand a quick, comforting squeeze. Shocked, I turned my head. He winked and let go of my hand. I would never tell him, but that was exactly what I needed. I rang the bell.
“Caroline, perfect timing,” my mom said as she answered the door. “And this must be Wyatt. I’m Caroline’s mom, Valerie. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Any of it good?” he asked wryly.
“No, not much. But don’t worry, I won’t let my daughter’s bias cloud my judgment. I, for one, am thrilled you convinced Greg to call off the wedding.”
“Take it from me,” Wyatt said. “You do NOT want to be related to him.” My mom burst into laughter. And in one quick speaking glance, she communicated, I like him! Date him! If only it were so simple.
Jeff greeted us in the kitchen, where he was tossing a salad.
“Hi Jeff, this is Wyatt, um... ” I hesitated. What to call Wyatt?
Mom jumped in. “Caroline’s nemesis.” Jeff looked a bit confused, understandably. “She hasn’t forgiven him for convincing Greg to call off the wedding.” My mom clarified.
“Then good thing we killed the fatted calf,” said Jeff, clearly taking my mom’s side on this.
“You’ve heard of me?” Wyatt asked, smiling big.
“Some.” Jeff gave me a wary look, like he was worried he said too much. “And now you two are dating?”
I took a big sidestep away from Wyatt. “No, no, um, we’re just friends. Barely friends.”
Just minutes ago, I had been in Wyatt’s superlative closet, hyperventilating as he undressed in front of me. “Barely friends” seemed inadequate.
Jeff nodded like he understood, but it was obvious he was confused. Poor Jeff. I was in the middle of this strange relationship with my ex’s-hot-cousin-who-I-loved-to-hate, and I was still completely baffled.
“Sticky!” Charlie shouted my most hated nickname as he entered the room.
“Sticky?” Wyatt asked with an evil glint in his eye.
“Why did I think this was a good idea?” I muttered.
Wyatt chuckled. Jane, perfect Jane, glided in behind Charlie.
She shook his hand and greeted him in her lovely Jane way.
My beautiful sister-in-law, with her mass of dark brown curls, golden-brown skin, and striking ice-blue eyes, was too sweet to make anyone jealous, but of course that didn’t stop me.
I begrudgingly liked her, but I still had moments of acute envy.
Not for her incredible good looks, as one might imagine.
No, I was jealous that she was happily married to a really great guy who adored her—and to top it all off, they were crazy rich and never had to worry about money.
She was living my dream—minus the kids and the rope swing.
“Wyatt, how nice to meet you. Caroline has told me so much about you.”
“Any of it good?” he asked, this time looking at me pointedly.
“No, not really,” Jane said with a breezy laugh.
“But Care Bear sure had good things to say about your business.” Charlie gave me a side hug. “I’d love to hear more.”
“I drove one of my cars here if you’d like to take it for a spin.”
“Now you’re talking!” Charlie said, excitement lighting his boyish face. “Let’s do it.”
“Is there time?” Wyatt asked my mom.
Jeff confirmed that dinner was at least twenty minutes off.
“We’ll be fast,” said Wyatt, who nearly matched Charlie in enthusiasm.
And the two were off. Watching them leave, I felt this weird squeeze in my heart. Probably because Greg and Charlie never got along. Mainly, Greg never had time for my family stuff—something I didn’t recognize back then. He always made what seemed like good excuses.