Page 60 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Dad’s plan for me to answer every question with the fact I signed an NDA actually worked. The first half of school, people were all over me with questions. I guess word traveled fast because, by lunchtime, the fascination with me had cooled down.

Thank freaking goodness!

It’s amazing I got through an entire day of school.

Maybe Wyatt not being at my house helped.

I don’t feel as rushed to get home. But all day, I’ve fantasized about being at Ashworth Estate.

And when the final school bell rings out, I get to my locker with lightning speed.

I need to survey the halls for one particular person.

Bingo .

Vanessa Ashworth strides along the hallway like she owns the place.

Okay, I think, technically, her family does own the school, but that’s besides the point.

I surge toward her, my only link to Wyatt at this point. Ashworth Estate is gated with some of the best security in the area. No school bus will take me there.

I gain on her, but my words won’t come out.

Yes, the Ashworth siblings go to our school, but I’ve never talked to one. I know, I’ve hung out with a celebrity all week. But billionaires are totally out of my league.

Vanessa notices me by her side. I maintain eye contact but I choke on my opening sentence.

She arches an eyebrow. “Yes?”

I squeak the word out. “Wyatt?”

Vanessa halts, looking me up and down. “Are you Josie?”

I nod with desperation.

She beckons me to follow. “Come with me.”

Too in awe to speak, I follow quickly behind the billionaire heiress.

Outside the school, a shiny black limousine idly waits. The driver holds the rear passenger door open, and Vanessa thanks him.

Vanessa turns to me with a smile. “Coming with?”

I nod again, sheepishly following Vanessa inside the limousine.

As I sit across from Vanessa Ashworth, she notes the apprehension mixed with wonder on my face. “First time in a limo?” she asks.

“Mm-hmm. Wyatt’s crew used SUVs.”

“My dad likes the spectacle of limousines and town cars.”

“Where are we going?”

“Ashworth Estate. You wanted to meet up with Wyatt, right?”

“Yes, please.”

“Then just chill. It’s a twenty minute drive to the estate, and I don’t want you hyperventilating. ”

I lift my palms. “I’ll relax. I promise.”

Vanessa smiles and lifts her phone. Her thumbs tap wildly, probably replying to a text message.

For the entire drive, I hug my middle. I only look away from the window when Vanessa giggles at her phone. I don’t know anything about her, but from the brightness of her cheeks and the light dancing in her eyes, I’m guessing she’s texting a boy.

She notices me staring, and puts her phone down.

I shift in my seat and clear my throat. “So, you’re a big fan of Wyatt’s?”

She smiles. “I’m a fan of anyone from this town making something of themselves.”

I give a slight nod, unsure how to take her answer.

Vanessa taps on the window. “Here we are.”

I am in awe at the sight outside the tinted window. Large iron gates open for our vehicle. The limousine drives up a winding path, framed with landscaped gardens, and ending at a massive, Tudor-style mansion.

“Incredible,” I breathe.

The driver opens the door for us, and when I follow Vanessa to the front door, a man greets us wearing a uniform much like Hubert’s at the Gran Palacio Hotel.

“Afternoon, Miss Ashworth,” the man says.

“Hi Murphy,” Vanessa says, handing the man her school bag. “This is Josie Bartlett. Can you take her to see Wyatt? I’ve got to get changed for my tennis lesson.”

“Not a problem,” Murphy says as Vanessa dashes further into the house. “This way, Miss Bartlett.”

I squeak, “Thank you,” and follow Murphy through the expansive hallway, decorated with large artworks, expensive vases, and ornate tables.

Murphy takes me to the rear of the mansion, and opens the double doors to a large patio area. I walk across the tiled space, finding Wyatt and Devon kicked back on the outdoor furniture.

Wyatt leaps up at the sight of me. “Josie! I’m so glad you’re here.”

I rush into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He kisses me hard. “Me too. It’s been crazy without you.”

I make him sit with me. “What’s been happening? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. We’ve had a lot of meetings,” Wyatt says, curling an arm around my shoulders. “Circle 8 has more control over my choices than I do. Mr. Ashworth is getting his legal team to investigate how I get out of my contract.”

My heart rate speeds up. “You really want to do that?”

He nods. “I don’t want to go back to making movies. I know that’s what they’ll push to do. Plus, I want to make original music. They have no interest in letting me pursue it. That is, unless I’m collaborating with someone they see as better than me.”

I hug my arm around him. “You have my full support. Being with Circle 8 won’t lead to happiness.”

He kisses the side of my head. “Thanks.”

I wince. “Does this mean you’re quitting show business?”

“It means he’ll find new representation after his contract is dissolved,” Devon explains. “Someone who’ll work towards Wyatt’s best interests and his goals. Not another machine looking for another cog.”

“Mr. Ashworth also stopped the emancipation paperwork from being processed,” Wyatt says. “Your dad was right. I shouldn’t have signed it when I was dealing with memory loss. Mr. Ashworth and his associates were pretty horrified that I’d done that.”

“That Circle 8 talked you into doing it,” Devon cuts in.

Wyatt fidgets beside me. “I still did it.”

“They manipulated your feelings so you’d push your parents away,” Devon argues. “I’ve seen it first-hand dozens of times. ”

“Devon has talked me through some stuff with my parents,” Wyatt tells me.

“I even found entries in my journal that matched up. It’s still really messy and confusing, but I reached out to them.

” Wyatt pauses, taking a slow breath in.

“The Ashworths are going to fly my parents out here to the estate.”

“And you’re feeling good about that?”

“I’m feeling better than I was.” He clutches my hand, frowning. “I still can’t forgive them for making me cut you out of my life.”

I suck in a hesitant breath. “I hope they can accept me being back in your life.”

The corners of Wyatt’s mouth tug upwards. “Joze, you’re the reason for the head injury.”

I sit back. “Excuse me?”

Nervous laughter simmers out of Wyatt. “I wanted you back.” He squeezes my hand. “I wanted you back so bad, I forgot my life.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”

“The em-emotional shock Dr. Fincher was talking about,” Wyatt replies. “I’ve spoken to Dr. Maxton about it.”

“Your psychologist?” I ask.

“Right.” Wyatt nods. “I was feeling like a fraud. So much time had passed. I didn’t know how you’d accept me back into my life.

The doc and I talked through it. He suggested that after I’d come to blows with Erika and Richmond, I had forced myself back to a safe place.

The time when I wasn’t famous and I had you in my life. ”

I tremble as adulation buzzes through my veins. “I’m your safe place?”

Wyatt leans forward and brushes his nose against mine. “You’re my perfect person. My whole heart.”

I sigh with mixed emotions. “I wish you didn’t have to go through this pain to bring me back into your life.”

Wyatt smirks. “Don’t worry. Richmond is gonna pay for that. ”

“Whether it’s in criminal or civil court,” Devon cuts in, “Richmond Salinger is going down.”

I swallow hard but feel a heaviness lift off me. “He deserves everything coming his way.”

Devon grins at me. “On a better note. Have you followed Wyatt’s new social media pages?”

I stare at him blankly. “Umm, I didn’t know there were any. To be honest, I’ve been avoiding looking at anything online.”

Devon nudges Wyatt. “Show her.”

Wyatt blushes, fumbling with his phone. “Ah, Joze, I have one post on there.”

He drags out the last word, sending second-hand nervousness through me.

Wyatt cracks a smile. “It’s kinda blowing up.”

“Kinda?” Devon splutters. “People are already using the sound to make their own content. This new song is gonna be huge.”

A thrill springs inside me. “New song?”

Wyatt taps on a video and hands me the phone. I shiver in the best way and my palms grow clammy. In the video, Wyatt sings and strums the guitar.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

He’s singing my poem.

He turned my poem into a song.

And...

People are listening to it.

“To love you then,

And love you now,

Another chance when,

You’re here somehow .

In my heart near,

Body too far,

An ache it sear,

Longing for the star.

Grateful for a touch,

Soulful in words,

In memories and such,

Spirited like birds.”

I look up at him, mouth ajar.

Wyatt braces himself. “Is it okay?”

“It’s... It’s...” My heart swells with a jittery bounce. “It’s incredible.”

“It’s my love letter to you, Joze.” Wyatt pulls me into his arms. “You’re always on my mind. You’ve always been on my mind. I’ve never forgotten you, and I never will.”

I melt into him, too overcome to respond.

“Your words are magic,” he whispers. “I wanted the world to hear them.”

“I’ve never thought songwriting was on the cards for me. But maybe I should give it some actual thought.”

We pull out of the hug, and Wyatt says, “I know you’re more passionate about your short stories. But I want you to know I was serious. I want to collaborate with you when it comes to my lyrics.”

“I’d do anything to spend more time with you,” I gush.

“You know,” Devon pipes up. “When Wyatt and Portia would do red carpets and other events, I’d chat with people on the other side of the velvet rope. I’ve made a few connections. If you ever want to publish a collection of your work, I could make some calls. It’d help you get a foot in the door.”

I shiver at the thought and find myself grinning. “Wow, Devon. You’d do that? ”

“It’s all about who you know,” Devon replies.

“Not that Josie needs the help,” Wyatt says. “She’s already an award-winning writer.”

Devon claps. “Makes her an even easier pitch.”

“Okay, stop,” I say, fanning my face, “or I’m gonna blackout from embarrassment.”

Wyatt pecks my cheek. “Josie, I’m not going anywhere. We still have a chance to be together.”

My heart is in my throat. “What are you saying?”

Wyatt beams. “Mr. Ashworth offered me a place to stay on the estate while all the legal stuff gets worked out. Joze, I’m staying in Victoria Falls.”

I gasp and shoot my arms around his neck. “Are you serious?”

His hands press into my back, and I feel the thumping of his heart. “You’ve got me, Josie. And if you let me, I’ll never let you go.”

I sigh and rest against him. “Don’t ever let me go.”