Page 42 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

“Can you get in touch with Devon?”

Jenna frowns. “No. All our phones are Circle 8 property. He’s been totally cut off and all his social media was deleted.”

“There has to be a way to find him.”

“I kept thinking he’d reach out to me. Like, he’d still have my number and he’d tell me the truth. Or at least what he knows. But it still hasn’t happened.”

Realization hits me hard. “Wyatt needs to get back to Ferndale. What if Devon’s waiting to see him at his loft? Like, at a time when he’d be alone and the suits couldn’t interfere.”

Jenna nods along. “It’s a possibility. Thea filled me in on Wyatt’s trauma. About how the doctor said Wyatt has memory loss after suffering severe emotional shock. There’s obviously something big he’s blocking out.”

“And if it’s not Devon betraying him, then what? Something that happened on the movie set?”

“Tensions were high before Portia and I left, but I don’t remember Wyatt saying that anything was wrong.”

“Could he have told Portia and she didn’t tell you?”

Jenna shakes her head. “She tells me everything.”

It takes me aback, remembering how Portia snapped at Jenna. “Really?”

“Yeah, she needs someone to confide in. I wouldn’t stick by her side all this time if we weren’t friends.”

I swallow uncomfortably. “It’s just, earlier, she seemed bossy or, umm, grumpy with you.”

Jenna bats a hand. “That’s just because we’re both on edge about being around Wyatt.

Portia’s trying to put on a brave face, like everything’s back to normal.

And me, ugh, I was so anxious about seeing him again and not putting my foot in it.

Portia was just worried. If I do something wrong, it’s the same as her being in the wrong. ”

“That’s not fair.”

Jenna half nods. “It is. It works for us. We’re a team, and she’s the face of it.”

“So, you and Portia are as close as Wyatt and Devon were?”

“Absolutely. I’d be crushed if I were cut out of her life.”

I sit back with a thud. “Huh.”

Jenna’s eyebrow arches. “Didn’t look that way?”

“I just had an impression of her. That she was high strung. But you did just get off a long flight.”

“Well, she is high strung.” Jenna laughs. “But she’s kind-hearted above all. She really helped Wyatt navigate life with fame. Without her, I don’t know if he’d have stuck it out this long.”

I press a hand into my stomach. “Really?”

My eyes shut and my mind contorts, imagining Portia as kind. Nope, can’t do it. I concoct images of Wyatt’s hand in hers, and I retch.

“Whoa.” Jenna gasps. “You okay?”

I open my eyes and force a smile. “Peachy.”

“Are you sure? Because you look green.”

My stomach twists, realizing Portia’s the girl Wyatt’s parents prefer him to be with.

The girl, so famous she goes by one name.

Jenna pats my knee. “Come on, let me take you down to the spa.”

I wave my hands in front. “No, really, I’m good. I just want to see Wyatt again. Maybe I can go to the gym? I already know Savanna. She’ll let me join them.”

Jenna winces, shifting in her seat. “I dunno. Erika gave me the impression Wyatt would be in a meeting after his session.” She sits taller with a perky smile. “Come on, spa time. How could you say no to a free pamper session?”

“Why don’t you take my spot instead?”

Jenna frowns. “Because I need to be available for Portia.”

I sit forward. “But it’s a free treatment. Why don’t you take it?”

Jenna sighs. “Okay, I get it. You want to be around for Wyatt.”

“He is my boyfriend. I want to know he’s okay.”

Jenna’s mouth falls open with an air of surprise. “What? Boyfriend?”

I nod. “I’m not just his friend. I’m his girlfriend.”

Jenna blinks at me. “No offense, but since when?”

I sit back, hunching as my courage deflates. “You expected him to be available for Portia?”

“Uh, Umm, I...”

“He didn’t remember her.” I blow out a shaky breath. “Wyatt officially labeled us yesterday, but we were a thing before he got famous.” I rub the space over my heart. “I’m the one who encouraged him to go on Talent Quest. Without me, he wouldn’t be famous.”

“So, in a way, Portia took the torch from you, helping Wyatt through all of this.”

I sigh and smooth back my curls. “Yes. I’ve been watching my stolen kisses in ‘Without You.’”

Jenna touches my forearm. “That’s just acting. It’s not real.”

“Maybe what they did on screen wasn’t real.”

“They were never a thing.”

I arch my eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”

“Are you backing off if they were?”

“My head and my heart are currently at war over that.”

“But what’s the plan? If you and Wyatt are dating, are you moving to Ferndale?”

My nerves frazzle. “No, I can’t. I’m only sixteen. I have school, and I need to get back to my family. ”

Jenna lifts her arms out wide. “You can be sixteen and move away from home. All the Circle 8 kids have done it. Surely you have a talent you can live off.”

Instinctively, I shift away from her. “Ah, no. I’m not a singer or an actor. I’m a writer, but that’s not a profession that screams for the limelight. And thank goodness for that.”

Jenna mumbles a laugh. “You don’t like the idea of being in front of cameras?”

I deadpan her. “I hate it.”

“Then being with Wyatt might prove difficult. I’m sure you’ve seen the papped images of him and Portia.”

“Mm-hmm. I already experienced part of that yesterday.” I sigh, sinking into the couch. “Wyatt was such a natural. All I wanted to do was flee.”

“Hey, maybe long-distance will actually work for you guys,” Jenna says in an upbeat tone. “They all work so much, anyway. Even their friends in the same city barely see them.”

“Long-distance is our only option.” Ouch . My heart aches. “I’m just scared he’ll forget about me.”

“He’s not that kinda guy.”

I frown, having difficulty looking her in the eye, as I mutter, “He’s done it before.”

Jenna’s eyes grow cloudy and she chews on her lip. “You’re worried about him and Portia being together once you’re back home.”

I can’t stomach the answer. Thankfully, I’m spared by the ringing of Jenna’s phone. She lifts it and I see the caller ID: “Randall.”

“Hey,” Jenna answers. As she listens, she quickly responds with, “Hmm... Mm-hmm... Yep... Uh-huh... Okay, no problem. See you soon.”

Jenna ends the call, bouncing off the seat to stand. She looks down at me, saying, “I’ve got to dash and get Portia ready for a meeting. ”

I scoot to the edge of the couch seat. “Will Wyatt be there?”

Jenna taps her phone in her palm. “Ah, Randall didn’t say. I just have to go to Portia’s suite.”

“Well, where’s the meeting? Is it here, in the penthouse?”

“No.” Jenna rubs her lips together, like she’s about to dodge a probing reporter’s questions.

“He didn’t say, exactly. Richmond will be meeting us and have the information for Portia.

” She backtracks away from me. “I’m sorry, I’ve really got to get going.

So, downstairs at the spa, ask for Natalia. She’s Portia’s...”

I raise a palm. “Save it. I’m not going down there.”

Jenna raises her hands in defense. “Suit yourself, but I hope you change your mind.” She then waves. “I’m sure we’ll catch up later.”

As Jenna dashes off to the elevator, I fling myself back against the couch with a huff.

If Randall’s involved in a meeting, then so is Erika, which means so is Wyatt. I doubt they’re just talking about him now. They want him fully involved.

I sit up. Am I throwing in the towel?

Back in my bedroom, I’d basically quit my relationship with Wyatt.

I stand up. But I don’t want that.

Whether I’m here or back home, I need to let him know I’m a part of his life.

I march to the elevator. I’m not bailing on him.

I impatiently press the elevator button too many times.

Jenna only took it to the floor below to meet with Portia, but it feels like time stands still.

Finally, it pings open at my level. I need to get to the hotel gym before Wyatt leaves for this meeting.

I want to be by his side, showing him how much I care.