Page 43 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

I rush out of the elevator, hurriedly following the signs along the hotel floor, pointing me towards the gym. Seriously wish I were more coordinated, or worked harder in PE, because I’m out of breath as I race to find Wyatt.

Puffing and red-faced, I make it to the gym. I swipe my keypass against the glass door and stumble inside. One person is running on a treadmill, another is in the corner using the weights. There’s no one else in the gym.

I fold over with a huff. Dang it, I’m too late.

I straighten myself out, take a steadying breath, and leave the gym. Geez, I really hope this meeting is somewhere in the hotel. I remember Lexy mentioning an office downtown when I first arrived in Cherry Beach. If that’s where they’ve gone, I have no hope of reaching them.

I wander the hotel floor, my mind flooded with thoughts of Wyatt. Wow, I really am lost without him. He’s my every waking thought, and when we’re apart, it’s like I’m no longer whole.

Oh, I really hope he’s okay. He mentioned the fog lifting from his mind. I hope they don’t use that as an excuse to overload him. Lately, he’s been looking to me for reassurance. Ugh. I hate that I’m not there for him right now!

I move into the elevator and press the button for the lobby floor. Maybe, just maybe, someone at the front desk will know where they’ve gone. Perhaps they called a car, or made a reservation on their behalf. All I can do is bundle up every smidge of optimism left inside me.

As I walk across the lobby, I have my eyes peeled for anyone I recognize from Circle 8. I move toward the line of people, waiting to be served by the front desk clerks. My eyes continue to wander as I wait in line, and my ears prick to a booming voice.

I spin and view over my other shoulder and my enthusiasm kicks into action. Richmond, the manager assigned to Portia, talks loudly on his phone, and paces the small space in front of the hotel’s restaurant.

Freaking yes!

I slink away from the front desk line, not too eager so I don’t gain Richmond’s attention. We don’t know each other yet, and I don’t want him to flip out and ban me from entering.

As I carefully approach the restaurant, Richmond continues to pace as he yell-talks into his phone. His back is turned, and I quickstep into the restaurant, still winded from my lame athleticism upstairs.

“May I help you?” a server asks, stopping me before I pass the small counter with a plaque reading, ‘Please wait to be seated.’

“Umm, I...” I drag out the syllable, craning my neck to spy Wyatt and his team. “I’m here with Circle 8.” I cringe, hoping I don’t look like a hopelessly adoring fan. “I’m here to meet Wyatt Hayes. ”

The server gives me a once over. “I’m sorry, miss, I was told the entire party had already arrived. That table has already ordered.”

“That’s no problem,” I overzealously rush. “I’m not here to eat, just to join them.” A brilliant detail strikes me. “I’m Mr. Hayes’s PA and I’m late. Please, I don’t want to lose my job.”

The server gives a slight nod, probably recalling the number of assistants already at their table. “Okay, miss, please follow me.”

I look up at the ceiling with a relieved sigh. Oh, thank you, Lord, it worked.

I follow the server through the crowded restaurant, filled with boisterous conversations, clinking of glasses, and clanking of utensils on porcelain plates. Soon, my world feels right again when I lay eyes on Wyatt.

He sits back in a dining chair, at a long-stretched table, grinning and laughing as the suits surround him in conversation.

It stops me in my tracks.

He’s happy?

I zero in on the empty seat beside him and my heart bounces happily. He saved it for me. Oh my gosh, how cute. He knew I’d be coming.

The clip clop of stilettos approaches from behind me. I turn and find Portia walking back to the table, Jenna on her heels.

“Oh, Josie, you’re here already?” Portia asks, checking the time on her phone. “Seems a little soon to be finished with a treatment.”

“ Uhhh ,” I draw out the sound as I glance at Jenna.

Portia looks at Jenna. “You said you took her to the spa.”

Jenna’s mouth opens, mind whirring to come up with an answer.

It then dawns on me Jenna told Portia what she wanted to hear. Plus, Jenna did spill a lot of info up in the penthouse. I’m sure she’s using the spa as a cover for spending so much time with me.

“Sorry, I had to bail on the spa,” I blurt, lifting my phone. “My mom called and it was a super important conversation. I didn’t want anyone waiting around for me.”

“Oh.” Portia pouts. “What a shame. Well, you can still go. It’s a standing appointment.”

I wave a hand. “No, it’s fine. Really.”

Portia shrugs. “Suit yourself. I just thought you might enjoy it as a last treat before you go home.”

I double take at her. “Home?”

She nods. “We’re all headed back to Ferndale, and I overheard Erika telling Randall to arrange your flight home.”

My heart sinks. “Oh, they’ve done it already.”

Portia’s eyes round and her tan slightly pales. “You did know, didn’t you?”

I fake a smile. “Yeah, I’m prepared to go home. Just, leaving Wyatt, it doesn’t make things any easier.”

Portia sighs. “I hear that. Every moment I was overseas was like agony. I just wished someone had told me he was okay.”

I watch the genuine agony in her eyes. “That’s really rough. I can’t believe they kept you in the dark for publicity’s sake.”

Portia pats dry the corner of her eye. “It’s fine. It’s the business we’re in.”

My emotions bubble up, watching her turn on a brave face. “You still have feelings though.”

Richmond walks up behind Portia, landing a hand on her shoulder. “There’s my hard worker,” he boasts. “You’ll never find a more dedicated popstar than Portia. I wish all our talent cared as much about their careers as she does.”

Portia pushes for a smile. “Thanks, Richmond.”

“Uh, hi, Josie,” Randall says, stepping up beside me. “We weren’t expecting you.”

“Umm, yeah.” I clear my throat awkwardly as I turn to him and Erika. “Just had a feeling you guys would be down here. Hope that’s okay.”

“It’s fine,” Erika says plainly. “We’ve wrapped up most of the details we needed to go over. Why don’t you have a bite to eat? We’re happy to still treat you while you’re with us.”

I gulp. “It’s my last day with you all, isn’t it?”

Portia motions to Jenna, and they take their cue to return to the table. I watch them from the corner of my eye. Portia takes the seat next to Wyatt.

It wasn’t for me.

I seriously need to get a clue.

“So, Wyatt has agreed to go back to Ferndale to work on his music,” Erika says, swirling a glass of mineral water with three slices of lemon. “You really have helped us out with him. We can’t thank you enough.”

“We booked you a commercial flight home,” Randall says, “and I thought a first class seat might show you how much we appreciate you.”

I puff out a breath, my airway constricted from emotional whiplash. “Oh, umm, yep. Thank you so much.”

“You are happy to be going home,” Erika says. “Aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to leave Wyatt. My family is the reason I’ll be apart from him.”

“Not to mention school,” Erika replies. “Weren’t you the one who encouraged him to become a star? You always knew you’d be apart.”

“Yes, but...”

“He’s eager to get back into performing,” Erika continues to dig. “You wouldn’t want to stand in the way of that?”

“Of course not,” I blurt, breathless. “I’ve never wanted him to quit.”

“Good,” Erika says with a clap. “We’ll give you some time to say goodbye. This trip down memory lane wasn’t going to last forever.”

I sigh, hunching forward in sadness and resolve. “Okay. I guess this is it then. I was just hoping for more time. ”

Randall grins. “You already pushed back your trip by a few days. Aren’t you grateful for that?”

I nod at the carpet. “Yeah, of course. Thank you.”

“Josie!” Wyatt calls from the table.

I look over and he’s craning his neck and waving me over. I wince when he swiftly winces and rubs his neck.

Oh, this boy. I wish he wouldn’t put himself in pain just for me.

“Please,” Erika says, gesturing at the table as she makes her way over with her bubbly liquid. “Join us one last time.”

Wow, she’s being so nice. It really is over for me.

Wyatt taps Thea’s shoulder, who sits on his other side. “Do you mind moving for Josie?”

Thea promptly complies, moving to the other side of the table.

I mumble a thank you, and shrink into the dining chair.

“Hey, I’ve missed you,” he says, leaning over and kissing my cheek. “How was the spa?”

“Umm.” I look over at where Portia and Jenna sit. I then lower my voice to say, “Actually, I had an interesting chat with Jenna instead. I’ll tell you about it later.”

Wyatt’s eyebrows lift. “Oh, okay. All good I hope.”

I nod. “It was hopeful, to say the least.”

“Okay, I guess you’ll explain later. I met up with Savanna. She says hi.”

“I’m sorry I missed her.”

“She gave me her seal of approval to fly and get back to work.”

It takes me by surprise. “Wow, really?”

“I know. First, they didn’t want me to leave the clinic. Now, I’m improving like crazy.”

I interlace my fingers between his. “I’m so happy for you.”

A man wedges between me and Wyatt, places a document in front of Wyatt, and says, “You just missed an initial here. ”

“Oh.” Wyatt picks up a pen and scribbles a WH by the man’s index finger.

“Thank you.” The man takes the document back. “I’ll get this processed immediately.”

Erika lifts her lemon-wedged, sparkling water at the man. “Thank you, Raymond.”

Martin, the finance guy, gets up from the table. “Raymond, I’ll walk you out.”

The men shake hands and leave the restaurant.

Portia watches Raymond leave, turns to Wyatt, then back to where the men left, and then lands on Erika. “Why was Raymond here?” Portia asks. “You had Wyatt sign something?”

Richmond leans over and pats Portia’s hand. “Nothing to concern yourself with. Wyatt’s just getting back to work, that’s all.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and meet Wyatt’s eyes.