That made even less sense.
“So he just… gave money?” I asked.
Wyatt nodded slowly. “That’s what threw your dad off. Threw me off too to be fair. That’s not how Marlon moves.”
I looked down, trying to process that.
“I don’t get it either.”
“Look, since I’ve known him,” Wyatt continued, “he’s been calculated. Marlon has been the type to only use his money on the company and even though the shed is a part of Sucré, he ain’t the type to put energy into something that isn’t a guaranteed success. He damn sure ain’t putting his money into something that ain’t been tested and backed by months of records. So whatever he has in his mind about you, he trusts your vision at least.”
I nodded. “I see.”
“…and you trust him.” Wyatt looked at me. “You care about him too. You care what he thinks…and he wants me gone.”
“I’m sorry, Wy.”
“Shut up,” he said immediately, stepping forward again. “Come here.”
This time, when he pulled me in, I went. My arms wrapped around him, my body settling against his like I needed something solid to hold onto for a second.
And he gave it to me.
No expectations.
Was this what I was craving since leaving Marlon? Connection? Comfort? Marlon never lets me hold him this close. Marlon never holds me.
And being held felt… nice. So nice, my mind doesn’t even process the fact that Marlon basically bought me a business.
Wyatt’s hand moved slowly along my back.
“I just want you to be happy,” he said.
“I know,” I replied. “Thank you.”
And I meant that.
Because whatever this was between me and Marlon?—
It didn’t feel simple.
And Wyatt…
Wyatt was simple.
We stayed like that for a moment longer than necessary. Then he pulled back just enough to look at me.
“Aurora.” His expression shifted slightly, nose scrunching just a little. “Why do you smell like sex?”
Oop.
I froze. “…huh?”
After playing dumb with Wyatt,I managed to sneak back into the party when he got called away to handle something. At the same time, Marlon entered.
I could feel his smirk on me as I squirmed with his reminder in my underwear.
The crowd gathered around him and dropped question after question. I took my ass over to the bar. The rest of the night I spent drinking with Patch and swapping stories. By the time the party was over, I was lit yet still professional, thanking everyone for joining us and waving them off.
