Page 22 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Wyatt grins. “If he’s as great as you say, then me too.”

The convoy of SUVs pull into the rear parking garage of the Gran Palacio Hotel. Driving down the ramps into the basement subfloors of the hotel, the anticipation jitters through Wyatt.

I rub his hoodie covered arm. “You’ll love it here.”

“I’m nervous. Don’t I have to act a certain way to belong here?”

I nudge him, giddy. “You already belong.”

His eyes grow starry and the car slows near a series of elevators.

“Your stop, Mr. Hayes,” the driver says, exiting the car.

He moves to Wyatt’s door, opening it for him. By the time Wyatt carefully slips out of the car, Erika and Randall rush to his side, wheelchair ready .

“Seriously?” Wyatt grumbles.

“Your physical therapist said so,” Erika says matter-of-factly.

I move around the car, and Randall moves out of the way so I can get closer to Wyatt. Lexy and Thea move into the elevator first, then Wyatt and I, followed by Erika, Randall, and security. It’s a tight fight, which sends my anxiety sky high.

Seeming to sense my distress, Wyatt reaches up and caresses my hand. I melt from his touch, and soon, the elevator pings open to the top floor.

“He doesn’t have to check-in?” I ask.

“Already taken care of,” Randall replies.

We move out of the elevator and directly into the penthouse. Randall tells us, only those with the penthouse passkey can enter this floor. Wyatt gives me an uncertain look, which I immediately understand. Any of these people could barge into his suite any time they want.

I wonder if the security team will protect Wyatt’s sanity at the hotel as much as they did at the clinic.

“ Soooo ,” Wyatt drags out the word, rolling his wheelchair further into the suite. “This is all mine?”

To use the word opulent would be an understatement.

With its elevated position and panoramic windows, this would be one of the most coveted spaces in all of Cherry Beach.

The fact we’re the only people on this floor screams privacy, which I hope puts Wyatt at ease after seeing that mob with their camera flashes.

We wander through the expansive layout, perfect for Wyatt to maneuver through with the wheelchair. He pulls himself up to standing near a sectional couch, using the back to hold onto.

“Wyatt?” Randall pipes up, edging close with a hospital grade walking cane.

Wyatt waves it off, still taking in the suite. Not only is the suite endless, the high ceilings accentuate the spaciousness with airy ambiance. Erika boasts about the multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas as she strides around the epic space.

“But you said my parents aren’t here?” Wyatt questions. “Why do I have so many bedrooms if it’s just me?”

Erika grins. “Because you’re a star, Wyatt.”

At that, Wyatt plonks down on the wheelchair, the overwhelm clear on his face.

“You haven’t even seen the best part yet,” Lexy says, striding over to a set of sliding doors.

In my suite, the sliding doors lead onto a balcony. Here, they showcase an impressive rooftop terrace, highlighting an infinity pool.

“Whoa.” I gasp. “This place sure kicks butt compared to my room.”

“Good morning, Mr. Hayes,” an older gentleman, in a suit that includes a bow-tie and jacket with tails, says, entering the living space. “My name is Hubert, and I’m the butler for the Gran Palacio Hotel penthouse suite. Anything you need, do not hesitate to ask me to provide it.”

Wyatt’s eyebrows lift, head moments from spinning. “Ah, hi... Thanks, I guess.”

Hubert nods. “May I get you anything? Coffee, juice, a brunch platter?”

Wyatt shakes his head, having trouble taking it all in. “Nah, ah, nope. I’m good.” Wyatt looks between Erika and Lexy. “Where are my parents?”

Lexy swats a hand. “They’ll be around soon, hon. Don’t sweat it.”

I move close to Wyatt and scoop his hand. “This couch looks comfy. You wanna just chill for a bit?”

He looks up at me with thankful eyes. “Yeah, yes. Sounds awesome.”

I help him out of the wheelchair and we take it nice and easy, rounding the couch and carefully sitting with good posture. It’s killing me not to snuggle up to him, but I need to be a good influence and keep my back straight. We’re only just out of the hospital, after all.

Every time Erika and Lexy approach with some nonsense they read from their phones, Wyatt frowns, rubs his forehead, and grumbles at them to back up. Finally, they give us breathing room. With comfortable silence, we can gaze out at the rooftop terrace and take in the striking city view.

I’m almost dozy when Randall sheepish sidles up, phone poised and ready.

“So, Josie,” Randall starts and then clears his throat. “I’ve been in touch with your parents. We can either have you on a commercial flight tomorrow, or if we want to charter you a flight home, we need to...”

“What?” Wyatt blurts, grabbing onto my arm.

My mouth falls open and apologies fill my eyes as I watch his shattered expression.

Wyatt’s jaw tenses as the words strain out of him. “You can’t leave.”

I swallow the sickness spiraling inside me. “I know, but...”

“No,” it comes out desperate as his arms pull around me. “No, Josie.”

“My parents...”

“Bring them here,” he’s quick to reply. “The twins too, I don’t care. Look how huge this place is. The whole family can take it. I’d move to a smaller room. Just don’t leave me.”

My eyes well. “Oh, Wyatt.”

“Or, I’ll leave with you.” His grip on me tightens. “I don’t care where I live, as long as it’s in the same place as you.”

“Umm,” Randall pipes up. “Wyatt, you can’t go to Victoria Falls. We need you well rested before we leave for Ferndale in a few days.”

“Ugh, whatever,” he groans. “Just don’t separate us. Josie, please. ”

A tear drops to my cheek and rolls down to sit along my jaw. “I don’t want to go.”

He leans in, urgent. “Then don’t.”

“But...”

His eyes widen. “But we can stay together.”

My heart has taken a beating, only giving me energy to plop my head against his shoulder. As his stress-fueled breaths cause his chest to rise and fall, my limp body thumps against him. I creep my arms around him, embracing him because getting words out is near impossible.

“Ah, Josie,” Randall awkwardly says.

Wyatt’s arm tighten around me as he grizzles, “Go away.”

Randall’s footsteps hurry away, and Wyatt’s body eases as much as mine.

Wyatt’s hand smooths over my curls, and a choked moan slips out of him.

I scrunch myself against him, burying my face in the nape of his neck. “I’m sorry.”

He kisses my forehead, stroking my hair. “Don’t be. I g-get where your parents are coming from. But, there h-has to be another option. I-I’m not losing you.”

I kiss his cheek, squeezing my arms by his sides. “I don’t want to go, but they’re scared.”

“They can come here.”

“They have to work.”

“I’ll make Erika give them money to cover their wages.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“None of this is simple. I’m in a fr-freaking penthouse and can’t remember how I can afford it.”

I wipe the wet from my face and sit up to look him in the eyes. “My parents won’t listen to me. I already tried.”

Wyatt hangs a thumb over the back of the couch. “We’ll get Erika to call them. Why don’t we use her motormouth for some good. Heck, she convinced your parents to let you come here, didn’t she?”

I chew my lip. “I guess.”

“You don’t want me to ask her?”

“I’m just...”

His fingers plant under my chin. “What?”

“Well, Dad said, they might just be using me. That you might all leave, and I’ll be stranded here. What if Erika...”

“Joze.” He sits up, determination in his eyes. “I would never let that happen. You’ll be protected. I promise.”

“I know you wouldn’t, but...”

Wyatt nods. “You don’t trust them.”

I nod, sniffing hard.

“Me either,” he mutters. “But we’ll use them to keep us together. We’ll figure out how to shake them after we make sure we’re not split up.”

I exhale slowly, caressing the sides of his face. “Okay.”

He grins brightly. “Okay?”

I nod. “Ask Erika to keep me here.”

Hurriedly, Wyatt leans in and kisses me. As if he’s giving me life, my lips suction to his. Only when I become very aware of other people in the room, do I break away.

Wyatt turns and looks over the back of the couch. “Erika, I need a favor.”

Erika stands at attention, exhilarated by the thought of managing something for Wyatt.

Wyatt gestures at me. “I need Josie to stay. No excuses. You need to make her parents understand.”

Erika’s enthusiasm wanes. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. You know, Josie has a life to get back to.”

“I’ll never go back to work if Josie doesn’t stay,” Wyatt says bluntly.

Erika and Lexy share apprehensive glances, and then Erika nods, lifting her phone. “I’ll make a call.”

Wyatt slides back down on the couch, but his eyes stay peeled on his management group.

“I might only be able to stay a few more days,” I whisper.

“We’ll g-get your schoolwork emailed,” Wyatt says flippantly. “You’ll go to school wherever I go.” Wyatt catches Randall staring, and asks him, “Where do I go to school?”

“You don’t. You have a tutor,” Randall replies.

Wyatt turns to me with a smile. “See. We can share a tutor.”

I giggle at his optimism. “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“I know, but we can work something out. Your family just needs to give us more time.”

I nod. “Maybe they’ll let me stay a week?”

Wyatt pecks my cheek. “Maybe a month.”

“Let me just work out some logistics,” Erika says, tapping on her phone, “Then I’ll call Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett.”

“Whatever,” Wyatt mutters. He pans around the room, and out the corner of his mouth, asks, “Do you think there’ll always be this many people in this room?”

“I’m sure they’re just here until you settle in.” Can he tell my fingers are crossed?

Lexy notices Wyatt staring, and she smiles brightly. “Anything I can do for you, superstar?”

“There’s a lot of people here,” Wyatt remarks. “Where’s Devon?”

Lexy, Erika, and their respective assistants all freeze. Gradually, they exchange puzzled yet alarmed looks.