Wyatt (Lucky River Ranch, #2)

by Jessica Peterson

do miss you,” I blurt. “All the fucking time, Sally. I worry you’ll forget about me. I’m happy you’re living your dream—don’t get me wrong. But life…it’s suddenly all so different, you know? My parents died. And right now, with you, is the first time I feel like I might not die too.”

“You’re like sunshine, you know? Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I always feel so much better when you’re around.”

My entire being rebels at the thought of letting this girl go. Every single one of my cells screams at me to keep her here, to make her mine. That’s when I know I’m in love with her.

Only the raging crush I’ve had on him since the second I hit puberty makes my feelings for him anything but fraternal.

Really, Wyatt got this sunshine thing all wrong. He’s the one who’s the sun. The rest of us just float in his orbit, waiting our turn to bask in his warmth and attention.

I glance at the tattoo of a sunrise on my left forearm. Sally’s remarked on it in passing, but she doesn’t know I got it for her. She also doesn’t know about the other tattoo I got for her, the one on my leg. That one, more than the sunrise, is a dead giveaway of how obsessed I am with my best friend.

But losing Sally? Yeah, I don’t think I could survive that.

Tonight, Sally will be in my arms. Tonight, she’ll only have eyes for me. That’s enough.

Being with Wyatt always feels like coming home.

“I have a favor to ask.” I reach for the thermos and refill the cup, grateful for the excuse to not look at Wyatt. “Answer’s yes.” “Let me ask it first.” “Answer’s still yes.”

“Surely, you asked her to date you for real instead because the thought of her being with anyone else kills you? Because you’re not afraid of your feelings and you’ve learned from Cash and Mollie that putting yourself out there is worth the risk? But really, because pretending to date someone is the dumbest shit ever?”

All I’m saying is, you wanna be a good friend to Sally? Give her what she’s looking for. You.

Have I died? Am I in heaven? Have I ever felt prettier or happier in my entire life? Wyatt was speechless.

Fake boyfriends do not drive three hours round trip to buy a new cowboy hat so they look good for their fake girlfriends. That’s something real boyfriends do.

“Don’t make me say it. You know, Sunshine. You know I wanna be your guy.”

Tonight is a night of firsts, that’s for damn sure. Which is kinda cool. I feel like I’m getting a shot at my firsts all over again in a way. First date. First time meeting the parents. And now, first kiss.

Wyatt Rivers would make a really fucking great boyfriend.

It’s my cowboy, and I’m so fucking happy he’s here that I want to yell.

I want you to stay. I want to be around you all the time. I want you to be my guy. Not just the guy I have a good time with. But the guy I call, and confide in, and come home to. You’re my favorite human, Wy.”

This is what a healthy relationship feels like. I’m allowed to be myself, and I’m getting what I want because I’m free to just…be. I’m free, and I’m wild.

To love her the way I’ve always wanted to love her.

“Your second-grade teacher couldn’t get over how inseparable the two of you were.” Patsy falls back on her heels. “Apparently, Wyatt was always talking about you bein’ his girlfriend back then.” “You didn’t!” Sally gasps. I chuckle. “I did. I hoped the rumor would get back around to you and you’d say yes, but I guess that never happened.”

Now was never going to be long enough with Wyatt, was it? I want him forever. I want to be kissed like this forever.

Holy shit, I’m actually okay.