Page 56 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Amused by her comment, Wyatt’s gaze moves over to Parker, getting a read on him.

Parker bats a hand. “There’s only the boring classes left for the day.”

Wyatt smirks. “Oh, okay then.”

Kylie awes at Wyatt. “It’s so incredibly good to see you.”

“Thanks, you too.”

“No, I mean, really good to see you,” Kylie adds on. “We never thought this would happen.”

The fun leaves Wyatt’s expression. “No one ever thought I’d come back to town?”

“Why would you?” Parker says. “You have it made. There’s no need to come back here.”

“There’s billionaires here,” Wyatt offers.

“That’s old money that built this town,” Parker replies. “Not the same thing as reality TV new money.”

Wyatt fidgets, not knowing how to respond. “Oh.”

Parker draws a flatten palm towards Wyatt. “Can I get a loan?”

Wyatt recoils. “Huh?”

Kylie whacks Parker’s arm, and Parker lifts his hands in surrender while laughing. “Kidding. Kidding. ”

The air in the room is stiff, almost to a choking point. I rub the cramp from my chest and say, “Shall we go out and get some fresh air?”

“Will you be okay around other people?” Kylie asks me. “You know, after...”

“It’s cool,” I blurt, so Wyatt doesn’t get clued in. “Besides, everyone’s still at school. Hardly anyone will be on Main Street.”

Wyatt takes my hand. “Were you feeling claustrophobic?”

I hide the ick behind a smile. “I was around a lot more people compared to our time in Cherry Beach.”

“Must’ve been a lot if you felt more overwhelmed at school than around the suits.”

“The suits?” Kylie asks. “As in the people you work for?”

“Yeah,” Wyatt replies. “I came back here with Josie to get away from their pressure.”

“Must be intense,” Parker says. “Especially after getting out of the hospital.”

Wyatt smiles appreciatively. “Yeah, it’s hard to get used to.”

Parker motions toward the front door. “Then let’s go do something fun.”

Wyatt nods, looking my way. “Okay. Let’s go.”

We load into Parker’s car, Wyatt taking the backseat with me, and we head into Main Street. After the short drive, Parker finds a parking space outside the café where Kylie works.

Kylie shifts in her seat, facing us in the back. “Maybe you don’t want to go in.”

Wyatt deadpans her. “Do you mean, me, sp-sp-specifically?”

Kylie bites her lip, glancing at me, then Parker, and then landing back on Wyatt. “This is a small town. People stare, and news travels fast.”

Wyatt’s Adam’s apple bobs and his eyes shift in my direction.

“I’m just saying,” Kylie continues on, “I could go inside and grab us something. Then we could lay low in one of the local parks.”

Parker gives her a strange look. “How is that not as public?”

“We’ll go to one that’s not as popular,” Kylie replies. “You know, like the one on Granger Street. No one’s ever there. Plus, school isn’t out yet.”

Parker shrugs. “I guess it’ll work.”

Wyatt nudges me. “What do you think?”

The others turn in their front seats to face me, and I slouch, clutching my elbows. “I like the idea of not having people gawk at us.”

“To be fair, it won’t be at us.” Parker throws a thumb at Wyatt. “It’ll be at him.”

Kylie and I groan at once. “Not helping.”

“What, it’s true,” Parker argues.

“We don’t have to do this,” Wyatt says. “I don’t want to make things awkward for you guys.”

Kylie plants a hand on her chest. “It’s not us we’re worried about. We don’t want this to be hard for you.”

“I’m okay,” Wyatt replies. “Really.”

“But isn’t it weird having people come up to you?” Parker asks. “You know, when you don’t remember leaving and becoming famous?”

Wyatt puffs a laugh. “Actually, it’s surprisingly easy.”

“Really?” Kylie and Parker ask at once.

“It kinda came naturally,” Wyatt tells them.

“Huh.” Kylie thoughtfully looks off to the side. “So, the video in Cherry Beach was legit. You were cool with all those people around you?”

Wyatt nods. “I was.” He then grabs my hand. “But I know Josie wasn’t. So, maybe we shouldn’t do this if me being there is gonna cause a scene.”

I sigh, looking deep into his hazel eyes. “I don’t want to be the buzzkill. I mean, maybe no one will notice? ”

Parker smirks, muttering, “Wishful thinking.”

Wyatt looks around the backseat. “Maybe I can go unnoticed. You got a baseball cap in here, Parker?”

Parker points behind us. “Back there on the parcel shelf.”

Wyatt takes the cap and sits it on his head. “Am I just a regular kid now?”

Parker laughs. “I sure don’t see anything special about you.”

“Parker’s giving you a hard time,” Kylie says matter-of-factly. “Meaning you’re just one of the boys.”

Wyatt gives me a hopeful look. “Shall we test it?”

I smile and nod, because when I’m with Wyatt, I’m always safe.

Kylie walks us into the café, shows us to one of the rear booths, and then moves onto the counter to order for our group.

Wyatt and I take one side of the booth, with Parker taking the other side, awaiting Kylie’s return.

I can’t help noticing my best friend is a little sheepish when she walks back to the booth.

“My boss is a little skeptical,” Kylie says in a low voice.

My stomach spasms. “What do you mean?”

“I told her you were away,” Kylie says vaguely, avoiding eye contact. “And, umm, she asked who the guy was sitting next to you.”

Wyatt slouches in seat, baseball cap shifted downwards. “Did she recognize me?”

“No,” Kylie replies. “I just told her to act cool and not to make a fuss. She knows Josie doesn’t like to be the center of attention.”

“We can just tell her you’re the new guy at school,” Parker suggests.

Wyatt waves it off. “You don’t have to say anything. Making things a bigger deal tends to make it worse.”

I nudge Wyatt. “Don’t hunch. Savanna will be unhappy.”

“Right,” Wyatt says, sitting taller. “Hunching is your thing. ”

I giggle at the kidding in his tone, and take in our surroundings. No one in the café has taken note of us.

Phew .

We might be in the clear.

“So, do I have to call your parents?” Kylie’s boss asks, standing over our table.

Kylie glances around at our group, and then back at her boss. “What do you mean?”

Maddy, her boss, sets the tray of milkshakes and cakes down on the table. “ Hello . You guys have cut class.”

Parker mumbles a laugh. “Free period, Maddy.”

“Uh-huh.” Maddy deadpans him. “If I see any of your parents walk in here, I’ll be telling them the truth.”

Kylie beams at her boss. “We’ll leave a big tip.”

Maddy laughs to herself, moving back to the front counter.

Parker nods at Wyatt. “You can take care of that big tip, can’t you?”

Wyatt grins. “Would be glad to.” The corners of his mouth drop south and he palms his forehead. “Oh, man. I literally forgot. I have no way to pay for things.”

“What does that mean?” Kylie asks as worry vibrates her tone.

Wyatt winces. “Everything got charged to the hotel before.”

Parker lets out a belly laugh.

Kylie elbows him. “ Shoosh .”

“Come on,” Parker says, fumbling with laughter. “He’s a mega star without the cash. That’s funny.”

Wyatt simmers with laughter, shaking his head at the tabletop. “I can’t believe it never dawned on me that I’d have to figure out how to pay for things.”

“I don’t blame you,” I say. “Life was pretty cruisy when we got to charge everything to the penthouse.”

Kylie smirks. “Rub it in, why don’t you. ”

Wyatt chuckles. “My bad, guys. I’ll have to get the bill next time.”

Parker bats a hand. “All good. I got it.”

“No, I got it,” Kylie and I say at once, and then end up laughing.

“Okay, let’s split it.” Parker says, dishing out the cakes left behind by Maddy.

We all agree and swiftly move on to trying the vegan strawberry shortcake, and dairy-free cookie dough milkshakes.

“My goodness, Kylie,” Wyatt says, barely swallowing. “These are fr-freaking amazing. You make these?”

Kylie nods proudly. “If there’s anything you especially want baked while you’re in town, just let me know.”

“I’m sure I’ll love whatever you’ve got cooking,” Wyatt replies.

Parker smiles at Kylie. “Give her a challenge, Wyatt. She loves it.”

“Do you make donuts?” Wyatt asks.

Kylie sits taller, her gaze lifting as she thinks on it. “I’ve never made vegan ones. Challenge accepted.”

After the cake and milkshakes have been consumed, and the check split three ways, we don’t risk being made in the café. Instead, we head back onto Main Street.

There aren’t a lot of people around, so we meander toward the closest park. It adjoins the skatepark, making it a popular hangout space. Although, it’s still early enough not to have a crowd.

The afternoon sun gives the lush greenery a soft hue, and the gentle breeze has a calming warmth to it. I can’t help smiling, marveling at the rolling hills surrounding us.

“Does it feel familiar, Wyatt?” Kylie asks.

“It’s weird,” he replies. “I remember it, but it also feels new. Not much has really changed, but I guess I feel like an outcast.”

“Wyatt Hayes is no outcast,” Parker quips.

“Hey, thanks for bringing us out here,” Wyatt says to Parker. “It’s really cool to hang out like a regular person. ”

“Glad you’re into walking around Main Street,” Parker replies. “It’s literally a regular day for us.”

Kylie gestures at the skatepark. “Over there is where Parker taught me how to ride a skateboard. Maybe when you’re feeling up to it, you could give it a go?”

“My coordination isn’t the best right now,” Wyatt says with a laugh, “But, yeah, maybe.”

“How long do you think you’ll stick around for?” Parker asks.

Wyatt blows out a breath, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “I really don’t know. Circle 8 might turn up tomorrow and demand I go back. I was excited to start recording, but my time in the studio wasn’t exactly creative.”

“What do you mean?” Kylie asks.

“Does soul-sucking mean anything to you?” Wyatt replies.

“Oh.” Kylie frowns. “That doesn’t sound fun at all.”

“Definitely not,” Parker agrees. “You really must’ve been miserable if walking around a park is fun for you.”

I hug an arm around Wyatt’s back. “It’s totally the company, right?”

Wyatt grins. “Totally.”