Page 18 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

“Ready for your memory test?” she asks. She halts, panning around the room until she lands on us. “Oh, there you are. I’ve gotten so used to you hanging out on the bed.”

I give her a wave as Wyatt says, “Josie found a comfier spot. ”

“So, I can see,” she says, standing between our armchairs. “I’m here to help Dr. Fincher conduct some tests with you.”

I crook my head to gain eye contact. “What kind of tests is he doing?”

“He’ll need to recall some information and just easy stuff like writing down some prompts.”

“Easy?” Wyatt says hesitantly. “My handwriting was terrible before I lost my memory.”

I cover my mouth, stifling a laugh. “I remember that.”

Savanna clutches her chest, pouting. “I just love that you remember things when it comes to your time with Josie. It’s so adorable.”

“Adorable is one word to de-de-describe me for-forgetting the past few years,” Wyatt says, fidgeting in his seat.

Savanna pats his shoulder. “It just makes me enthusiastic. I’ve been watching you struggling and seeing you two together warms my heart. You were adamant you remembered your pre-fame life. We had no way of knowing how patchy your memory was until Josie arrived.”

I want to ask if his parents had filled in some of the pieces, but I decide not to bring them up.

“Hi all,” Dr. Fincher says, striding into the room. “Ah, would you like to conduct the tests over here?”

“Is that okay?” Wyatt asks.

Dr. Fincher wheels over the moveable tray table and sets it in front of Wyatt. “Sure thing. Wherever you’re most comfortable.”

I push off the armchair, asking, “Should I leave?”

“No,” Wyatt blurts.

I sit down and Savanna mumbles a laugh.

“I would’ve said, you can stay if it’s okay with Wyatt,” Dr. Fincher says, sitting on the adjacent couch, “but clearly we have his answer.”

Wyatt smiles, attempting to hide the pink hue on his cheeks. “It’s painful when she leaves. ”

I blush. “Okay, I’m staying put.”

“Wyatt, I’m going to give you three words and you’ll have to recall them at the end of this session,” Dr. Fincher says.

Wyatt flinches. “How long is that?”

“Ten minutes tops.”

Wyatt gives a doubtful look. “That’s a long time.”

“All you have to do is try,” Dr. Fincher replies. “Now, remember these three words. Apple, table, penny.”

“Apple, table, penny?” Wyatt says, lifting his brow like he’s been asked a hard math question.

Apple, table, penny. Apple, table, penny.

Dr. Fincher hands Wyatt his glasses. I smile when Wyatt makes a face before putting them on. The doctor then places a sheet of paper on the table, along with a pencil. “Can you write your full name across the paper?”

Wyatt pinches the pencil between his thumb and index finger, but it drops back down on the table. He then uses both hands to help pick it up.

“Look at you,” Savanna gushes. “You’re problem solving,”

Wyatt leans over the paper, concentrating hard as he slowly scrawls his name. He pauses midway through, looking up at me with framed eyes. “I don’t have a middle name, do I?”

I smirk. “Nope. You’re good.”

He shakes his head, returning his attention to the paper. “Didn’t think I did.”

“It’s normal to doubt yourself over facts you know to be true,” Dr. Fincher comments.

“I do it all the time,” Savanna jokes.

Wyatt puts the pencil down. “Done.”

I giggle, looking at the wonky lettering. “Wow, it’s your autograph. ”

He slides the paper across the table toward me. “It’s all yours.”

I grasp the paper and check with Dr. Fincher. “Do you need it?”

He shakes his head. “No, all I need to do is make a note of his handwriting. You can keep it.”

I smile at his written name. “I say it’s an improvement from middle school, so give him a big check mark.”

Savanna then plucks the deck of cards from the bedside table and brings them over to the sitting area.

Oh, wait. What were those words again? Apple, table, penny. Okay, got it.

Savanna takes three cards from the pile and shows them to Wyatt. “Can you read these numbers?”

He nods. “Yes.”

Savanna then holds the cards face down against her chest.

Dr. Fincher taps the pile on the table. “Find the same numbers in the pile.”

Wyatt’s brow furrows as Dr. Fincher slides the deck across the table.

They are shuffled in no particular order.

Wyatt pushes the cards from side to side with his index finger.

He slides the three of clubs toward him on the table and then leans forward, inspecting the other cards.

After more searching, he pulls the ten of diamonds.

“Umm,” he mumbles, scratching the side of his head.

Oh gosh. Has he forgotten?

Apple, penny... Oh dang it. What was the third one?

As I struggle to recall the other word, Wyatt selects the six of hearts.

Savanna places her cards down by his. The three of spades, ten of clubs, and six of clubs.

“Excellent work,” she says proudly.

Wyatt rubs his fingertips together. “It was hard enough getting the corner of the card.”

“But you’ve been working on it,” Savanna says. “You’ve improved so much by practicing. Keep it up, and you’ll overcome the numbness.”

Dr. Fincher then sets a new piece of paper on Wyatt’s table.

I lean forward, checking out the activities displayed.

One section, Wyatt has to match identical images in a cluster.

Another section, he has to connect the dots to create shapes.

And another he has to fill in the blanks of three sentences.

As he slowly works through the tests with Dr. Fincher carefully watching him, my mind draws blank.

Dang it. What were those words again?

Umm. Oops. I can’t even think of one.

How the heck will Wyatt remember them after all these other tests?

Wyatt’s hand shakes on the connect-the-dots, and he struggles with the sentences, wincing from a headache. He pushes himself through to finish, and Dr. Fincher retrieves the paper, thanking him.

“Okay, Wyatt,” Dr. Fincher says with an optimistic smile. “Can you recall those words from earlier?”

He looks down as if the words will be written in front of him.

“Apple.” He pauses, and after a beat, looks back up. “Table, and penny.”

Savanna applauds. “Fabulous.”

“Good stuff, Wyatt,” Dr. Fincher applauds.

Wyatt’s chest rises and falls like he’s finished a mile run.

“Oh my goodness,” I murmur. “I can’t believe you remember those words.”

Wyatt puffs a laugh. “No faith in me?”

I sit up, shaking my head. “No, because I’d already forgotten them.”

“Joze, you don’t have to...”

I cut him off with earnestness. “No, I’m serious. Following along with all these different activities, I totally spaced.”

Savanna squeezes Wyatt’s shoulder. “See. Told ya you were a champ. ”

Wyatt shrugs, taking off his glasses. “I guess I paid attention because I really, really , want to get out of here.”

Dr. Fincher shakes Wyatt’s hand. “You did exceptionally well. I see no reason why we can’t release you tomorrow morning.”

Wyatt’s eyes light up and his mouth falls open. “I’m leaving?”

Dr. Fincher smiles, releasing Wyatt’s hand. “I wish you the best of luck.”

When the doctor gets up and moves by Savanna, I launch off the chair and throw my arms around Wyatt. “I knew you could do it. You’re so strong.”

He sighs near my ear, and his body eases against me. “I don’t want to live another day without you.”