Page 36 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

“Ah, yeah, sure,” Wyatt splutters.

Diana grins. “Shall I bring over your usual bottle of champagne?”

Wyatt chokes on air. “Uh, uh, what?”

“We have your usual order chilled on ice,” Diana replies.

Wyatt shares my apprehensiveness. “Uh, I don’t think we want champagne.”

“Not a problem. Come to think of it, the champagne was only ordered when you were with Miss Portia.”

Ugh. There’s that name again like a stab in the gut .

Wyatt tilts his head, sighing as he takes in the hurt on my face.

I force a smile for his sake. It’s not his fault he has a past. Obviously, he and Portia have spent a lot of time together because they work together.

I’ve seen all the event photos. Heck, some of them are on my walls.

But I hate that everyone brings her up in front of me, like I’m completely invisible.

Diana fidgets like she’s reading the awkwardness growing from the table. “Or, would you like me to suggest a nice bottle of wine?”

I clear my throat, wading in discomfort. “Uh, you give alcohol to minors?”

Diana splutters some syllables, pivoting between me and Wyatt as a sheen coats her forehead.

“Well, I’m on medication,” Wyatt says, shifting in his seat as the awkwardness grows. “And I feel very seventeen right now. So it’s no alcohol for me.”

“Certainly, sir,” Diana says, composing herself after finally getting the hint. “We have a range of non-alcoholic drinks. Perhaps you and your companion would like a mocktail?”

A nervous laugh splutters out of me. “Like a Shirley Temple?”

Diana smiles. “Absolutely. Would you like one?”

I shrug. “I’ve never had one. No time like the present.”

“And for you, sir?”

“Just a diet coke, thanks.”

Diana nods. “Not a problem. I’ll have them brought over.”

Diana hurries away and I can’t help smirking. “I think she wants you to be an out-of-control teen celebrity.”

“I don’t want to talk about that.” Wyatt mutters, struggling to meet my eyes. “I saw that look in your eyes.”

“What? About the wine?”

Wyatt frowns. “No, not that. I wish you wouldn’t get jealous over a name. ”

“It’s not just a name. You two have history.”

“But we don’t have a present,” he replies. “She’s never called or visited. And I don’t miss her.”

“You don’t remember her.”

“I didn’t remember meeting fans, and I felt like I found something I’d been missing.”

I slouch in my seat. “What if it’s like that when you see her? What if she’s the missing link to you getting your memory back?”

“There’s no chance,” he says firmly. “You’re the girl I woke up thinking about. You’re the only one who makes me feel better.”

“But everyone...”

“I don’t care what everyone says,” he says wholeheartedly. “All that matters is what we think.”

My heart swells and I reach across and find his hand. “I’m yours no matter what happens.”

He lifts my hand and kisses it. “You’re beautiful, Josie. I don’t want you to ever think you’re second-best.”

Our drinks arrive and we instinctively clink our glasses together.

Diana talks us into the alfredo pasta, where the sauce is made from cashew nuts, which we share with a side of mushroom and truffle arancini balls.

It’s officially one of the best meals I’ve ever tasted.

How will I ever be able to go back home and eat diner food?

As our plates begin to clear, I enjoy the safety in Wyatt’s presence. Being amongst that mob of fans was terrifying, but being stripped from Wyatt’s company was worse. I lean into our closeness, sharing with him three more poems stashed in my Notes app.

“My goodness, Josie,” Wyatt says in awe. “You have a real talent. Your words make me feel things, like my favorite songs do.”

I’m giddy at his praise.

“They top a fantastic meal.” Wyatt lowers his cutlery. “Diana was right. That’s the best thing on the menu. I don’t need to try anything else.”

“What about the desserts?”

“Oh, we are so getting dessert.”

I giggle. “I’m not sure I can fit it.”

“Oh, c’mon. I’m here to spoil my beautiful girlfriend.”

My heart flutters as I stare at him adoringly.

We’re not just collage clippings on my bedroom wall anymore.

I’m finally his girlfriend.

Wow.

Wyatt loves me.

“Get used to it,” Wyatt says, his hazel eyes sparkling. “You’re back in my world, and it’s only the best for you.”

“Well, I like all this stuff when it’s just us,” I say, fingers trembling against the linen napkin. “But I can’t see myself fully being part of your world. You saw me cower from all those people. I can’t be around anything like that.”

“But no one’s asking you to.” He reaches across and catches my hand. “The fact I have fans doesn’t have anything to do with us. I would never ask you to stand amongst them all.”

“But how can we ever just hang out if everywhere we go, someone wants an autograph, or a photo, or reach out and hug you?”

“I’ll tell security to keep everyone back while I’m with you.”

“So you never look approachable? That won’t help your image. And if word gets out your girlfriend is banning you from interacting with fans, I can just imagine the hate online.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” He side-eyes me. “Banning me?”

“No, I’d never tell you not to do anything. I’m just saying, it’ll come out I’m the reason you’re shutting yourself off. And I can’t do that to you. I saw how much you enjoyed being around everyone. You lit up.”

He squeezes my hand. “Not as much as when I’m around you.”

“It’s a different kind of electricity. You have to admit it. You want to experience it again, don’t you?”

He sighs, averting his eyes. “Well, yeah. I get how I became famous. I liked being around all those people. It made me want to pick up my guitar and start playing. I want to perform in front of a crowd.”

I grin. “That’s amazing. I want that for you. I’ve been telling you all along there’s millions of people who want to hear you play again.”

He winces as he meets my eyes again. “They want the movies more. I still can’t picture myself in front of a camera like that. It doesn’t compute.”

“Do you want to check out a scene from one of your movies? It could help, like how listening to one of your songs helped you relax into this whole celebrity image.”

He sits up, planting a hand against his stomach. “Nuh-uh. I can’t just yet.”

I squeeze his hand back. “Okay, then it’s off the table.”

“You like the movies, though, don’t you? They’re good?”

I grin and nod eagerly. “The best.”

“Those girls in the crowd said the same thing. I just don’t get it.”

“I’m sure it’ll all come back to you.”

He frowns. “They don’t like my new music. My music. The stuff that’s not covers.” He sighs, sinking back down in his seat. “I practiced the covers to become good enough to do my own music. But I’m not good enough on my own. I’m only good at pretending to be other people.”

“That’s not true. The record company gave you songwriters without heart. You just need to find the passion behind the music.”

He swallows hard. “Is that what people think about my music? That it doesn’t have heart?”

I fidget in my seat, finding it hard to look into his beautiful hazel eyes. “People enjoy the music because it’s from you, but... But it just underwhelmed. That’s all.” I grit my teeth hard. “Sorry. ”

He shrugs, sitting back. “Don’t be sorry. I asked the question.”

“Maybe this new life experience will bring out the songwriter in you.”

The corners of his mouth tug upward in a weak smile. “Or, maybe this experience brought a songwriter back into my life.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your poetry has more than heart. You could easily be the best songwriter I could find.”

My heart expands, thumping to a heavy beat. “You, you want me to be your songwriter?”

“Why not? There’s no one in my life I trust more than you.”

I chew on my fingernail, staring at the tablecloth. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“Sure you do. You’ve been writing as long as I’ve known you.”

I fidget with the beige napkin again. “Your team would already have someone for you to work with.”

“So? They already put me in movies because the music didn’t work. What if it worked with you? What if you help me get out of the movies?”

“What if you give the movies a try and you like it?”

“Why aren’t you even giving this idea a try?”

I sit back with a huff. “Because the idea is terrifying.”

His head tilts. “Why?”

“I already told you, being in this world makes me feel closed off from you. I won’t survive.”

“It’s just writing. Heck, you’ve already won awards from your writing.”

“But I don’t need to show my face or deal with any people. I just write at my desk and submit the work to be judged. I didn’t even have to go anywhere to collect my award.”

“You don’t have to be around anyone to write some songs.”

I click my tongue. “I’ve met Erika and Lexy. They like to control everything. Have everyone in their bubble. I’m happy to be here as your friend, but I can’t work with you. I couldn’t stand the pressure.”

“Okay,” he says in a defeated tone. “You don’t have to be around me anymore.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want...”

“I don’t want to force you to be in my world.”

“Wyatt, I want...”

“And, look, I’m sorry for springing the gi-girlfriend line on you,” he says, fidgeting. “It’s just, we, we said I love you, and all the ki-kisses, I just...”

“ Wyatt ,” I raise my voice, cutting him off. People at the next table turn and stare. I hunch forward, lowering my tone. “I love you, and I want to be your girlfriend.”

“I love you an unreal amount,” he whispers. “I just want you around all the time.”

“I know.”

“I want you to be all mine, Josie Bartlett.”

I lift off my seat, leaning across the table to kiss him, soft and slow. I pull away gently and brush my nose against his. “I’m yours, Wyatt Hayes.”

He caresses the sides of my face. “I’m sorry for getting defensive. I just hate the thought of you not being with me.”

I sit back down, severely aware of his fear of me leaving him.

“And, I really meant it when I said you should write lyrics,” he says, brightening. “I think you’d be amazing at it.”

“Thanks. But maybe I’ll just pass some poetry your way, and you can pass it off as your own. I think I’d feel more comfortable not taking the credit.”

“Seriously?”

I nod. “I’m much more at home in my short story world.”

He shrugs. “If you’re sure. I’m keeping the offer on the table, though.”

I blow him a kiss. “It’s appreciated.”