Page 2 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

I hover the cursor between ‘No Chance, Goodbye’ and ‘Without You,’ struggling to decide which to watch. In ‘No Chance, Goodbye’ he plays a popular, jock-type who’s forced into a volunteering role with a bookish, goody-goody type. They start out as enemies, and of course, end up in love.

In ‘Without You’ he’s a sensitive and sweet guy who gets dumped by his ultra pretty girlfriend and tries a list of grand gestures to get her back, until he realizes his best friend was the girl he wanted all along.

In ‘Without You’ he’s more the type of guy I remember him being.

But ‘No Chance, Goodbye’ is an absolute crack-up.

And right now, I think I need a good laugh.

Just as I’m about to hit play, I’m startled into a jolt.

Buzz, buzz, buzz .

The harsh vibration from my phone grinds against the woodgrain of my desk. I frown at the private number and hit decline.

“Not today, telemarketer.”

I settle back on my desk chair, and I’m interrupted by another call. The private number calls another two times, and on the third ring, I give in .

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hi, is this Josie Bartlett?” asks a female voice.

“Umm, yes. Who’s asking?”

“My name is Erika Hartley from Circle 8 Management, the team that represents Wyatt Hayes.”

The air is snuffed out of me. I choke and bang a fist onto my chest.

Wyatt?

“Josie? Are you there?”

I cough roughly and clear my throat. “Yes. Yes, I’m here.”

“Are you aware of Wyatt’s current condition?”

“Umm. Only what online gossip is saying.”

Erika sighs into the receiver. “Wyatt’s suffered a blow to the head. He took some time to regain consciousness, but we’re grateful to say he’s doing much better in his recovery.”

My heart pounds with adrenaline. “Oh, thank goodness. I’m so relieved.” I sink in my seat. “But, why are you telling me this?”

“There’s been some setbacks,” Erika says hesitantly. “Wyatt is suffering short-term memory loss. He doesn’t remember me, or my team. In his mind, he never left Victoria Falls or starred in his season of Talent Quest.”

My mouth falls open. “You’re kidding.”

“Josie, he wants to see you.”

I stammer a few sounds as my heart leaps into my throat. I swallow hard and exhale swiftly. “He does?”

“We can arrange a flight for you, first thing in the morning,” Erika says. “Can you get to the airport by eight a.m.? We’ll have the Circle 8 Learjet ready and waiting for you.”

I choke on the words, “Like, a private plane?”

“Yes, Josie. It’s important that you come. We want him released from the clinic, but the medical team is hesitant. We’re hoping a blast from the past can help kickstart his memory. ”

“I’d do anything to help him, but...”

“But, what? Tell me anything you need and I’ll make it happen to get you here.”

“Well, I have school, and my parents can’t just pack up and leave.”

“You’ll come without them.”

I puff out an air of nervousness. “They won’t like that.”

“Where are they?” Erika asks in a rush. “I’ll speak to them now and get them to sign-off.”

Sign-off? Why does that word make this sound like a business proposal?

“Umm, okay,” I say with a tremble in my voice. “I’ll go downstairs and find them.”

“Very well.”

I lower the phone and slink out of my bedroom. An unsettling surge of adrenaline bolts through me, and my head wobbles from side to side as I descend the stairs.

“Mom?” I call out, the tremble in my tone worsening. “Mom?”

Mom backs out of the living room. “What’s wrong?”

I lift the phone in my clammy hand. “Umm, there’s a woman on the phone...”

Mom makes her way over, unnerved by my demeanor. “Yes?”

“Umm. She works with Wyatt.”

“Wyatt?” Mom’s brow furrows. “Wyatt as in Hayes?”

I gulp, slowly nodding.

“Hello? Hello?” Erika’s voice calls through the phone.

I hit speaker on the phone. “Hi, Erika. I’m with my mom.”

“Hello, Mrs. Bartlett,” Erika says. “I’m Erika Hartley, management for Wyatt Hayes. I called your daughter because Wyatt has requested to see her.”

“What? When?” Mom asks in alarm.

“We will have the Learjet at Victoria Falls airport tomorrow morning for an eight a.m. departure,” Erika replies matter-of-factly.

Mom puffs out an air of shock. “What? She has school and her father and I work. Not to mention her siblings. She can’t just leave.”

“She can,” Erika replies. “My assistant, Randall, will be there to escort Josie on the plane, to the hotel, and to the clinic to visit Wyatt. Your accompaniment is not required.”

Mom laughs with nervous shock. “You want us to send our daughter off with a stranger?”

At that, Dad walks into the house, arriving home from work. His expression becomes serious when he takes in the bewilderment on mine and Mom’s faces.

“What’s going on?” he asks, loosening his tie.

Mom gestures at my phone. “There’s this woman who...”

“Mr. Bartlett?” Erika butts in. “My name is Erika Hartley, management for Wyatt Hayes.”

Dad’s chin drops as surprise colors his face. “Wyatt Hayes?”

“Yes, the same Wyatt who Josie grew up with,” Erika replies. “He’s requested Josie come to Cherry Beach to see him.”

“ Tomorrow ,” Mom blurts, astounded.

“Tomorrow?” Dad asks, flinching. “All the way to Cherry Beach? There’s no way we can make that happen. We both work, plus the kids...”

“As I was already saying,” Erika cuts in, “you and your wife can stay home with your other children and we’ll arrange everything for Josie to have a safe flight and trip here.”

Before my parents can repeat their lines again, I pivot between them and say, “He has amnesia. The rumors are true.”

“No...” they breathe out in unison. “Can’t be.”

“It’s true,” Erika says. “He’s forgotten the past three years. The medical team hopes a familiar face will help with his recovery.”

Mom blinks at me. “And that’s Josie? ”

“Mom,” I murmur, shivering with adrenaline. “He’s forgotten his fame, but he hasn’t forgotten me.”

A tear buds in the corner of her eye, knowing how I’ve kept tight hold of my former relationship with Wyatt.

“How do we know this is legit?” Dad asks, crossing his arms. “You could be some nut who’s trying to lure our daughter away for nefarious reasons.”

Erika sighs into the phone. “Believe me, Mr. Bartlett, I’m far too busy to play games with a sixteen-year-old. But, to put your minds at ease, I’ll call you back on video.”

The call abruptly ends, leaving me and my parents looking at each other.

“This is unreal,” Mom mumbles.

Nervous energy bubbles inside me. “Mom, it’s Wyatt.”

Dad grunts. “I’ve called her bluff. It’s a total scam.”

I groan. “ Dad . What would she get out of that? Do you really need to put your skepticism cap on right now?”

Mom hugs an arm around me. “Josie, we can’t have you leave with strangers.”

Before I can reply, my phone buzzes in my hand.

Incoming video call: Private number.

With a shrug, I hit answer. When Erika Hartley fills the screen, I aim the phone higher, getting me, Mom, and Dad in frame.

Erika’s phone is being held by someone else as she shows her ID near her face.

“This is me, Erika Hartley,” she says, and then the camera zooms out and pans around the opulent space behind her.

“And this is the presidential suite at the Gran Palacio Hotel we have reserved for Josie while she visits Wyatt.”

I almost drop the phone as Mom and I gasp at the same time. “Pr-pr-presidential suite?”

“Does it look legit yet, Mr. Bartlett?” Erika asks with a smirk .

Dad shifts his weight, keeping his arms folded. “Certainly doesn’t look like a dime was wasted.”

I let myself grin. “Sorry, Erika. My dad is skeptical about everything.”

“Perfectly reasonable,” Erika replies. “We should never accept things on face-value.”

At that, my dad loosens up.

“Will you be here, Josie?” Erika asks, looking right down the camera lens.

I slouch, eyeing my parents. “I don’t want to risk ruining his recovery. Please, can I go?”

Dad pulls me into a hug. “We know how closely you’ve followed Wyatt all these years. I’m just afraid of what you’re getting yourself into. He’s not the same boy you used to know.”

I chew my lip, thinking about the implications of his memory loss. “But he doesn’t remember the boy he became.”

Mom smiles, tracing a finger under my chin. “I remember that boy,” she says tenderly. “He was sweet, kind, and joyful. Ever since hearing about his accident, I haven’t stopped thinking about him.” She sighs, looking at Dad. “Daniel, if Josie can help, she should go.”

Dad nods. “I know, but I don’t want her getting into trouble over this.”

“What trouble would I get into?” I ask in the midst of our group hug.

Dad smiles kindly, brushing the side of my face. “I don’t want you to get hurt or lost in the shuffle.”

“I’m just visiting Wyatt,” I reply. “Please, let me do it.”

“I guarantee her safety,” Erika says in my lowered phone. “We have the best security in the business.”

Dad narrows his gaze at Erika. “When do you expect to turn the jet around and get her back here? ”

“It’d be great if she could stay for a few days.”

Mom and Dad share a look and reply together, “Three days max.”

I squeal, almost dropping the phone. “Really? I can go?”

Erika’s tone becomes upbeat. “We can arrange a car to pick up Josie at your house.”

“No,” Mom blurts. “I’ll drive her to the airport. I need to meet this Randall before I let Josie go anywhere.”

“Very well,” Erika says, gesturing at the phone. “Randall, do you want to turn the camera around to you so they’ll see a familiar face tomorrow.”

The camera changes, showing a man in his early twenties in a fancy suit. “Good evening, everyone.”

As soon as we utter our hellos, the camera flips back to Erika.

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Erika says, like we’re making a business deal. “We’ll have your accommodation and meals covered while you’re here. Josie, all you just need to bring yourself.”

“Okay, thank you,” I say, breathless. “Nothing will stop me from seeing him.”

“See you tomorrow, Josie.”

“Yes, bye.”

Erika ends the calls, and I’m left stunned.