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Michelle grinned. “Thanks, Sky!”
I moaned and shook my head. Here we go again.
Michelle took off in the opposite direction of where Mitch and Beth were standing. They were talking to my parents.
Skylar walked up and shoved the tray in the middle of everyone. “Cheese anyone?”
All eyes landed on her before they started making little cheese and cracker sandwiches.
Setting the tray down on a table, Skylar went right in for the kill. She hugged Mitch and then Beth. “I’m glad you finally made it, Mitch! So, did you two come together? From Austin?”
Beth and Mitch looked at one another and then back to Skylar.
Mitch simply responded with, “Yep.”
Beth went into a bit more detail. “We figured it would be easier if we came home in one car. Why should we both drive in, right?” She glanced between my parents, Skylar, and me.
“True. So, are y’all dating each other?” Skylar asked them.
Beth and Mitch both started laughing like she had just said the most ridiculous thing ever, but neither answered the question.
Beth gasped. “Oh my gosh, is that Mr. Hall I see? He was my favorite Science teacher!” Turning to us, she said, “If y’all will excuse me, I have to go say hi! Mitch, come say hi. He is a huge UT football fan.”
And, just like that, Beth dragged Mitch off by the arm to talk to Mr. Hall.
My father let out a chuckle and said, “Oh, yeah, they’re dating. Look at how she just pulled him over to talk to someone he clearly had no interest in talking to.”
Skylar looked at me with sad eyes. I shook my head to remind her that she needed to stay out of Mitch and Michelle’s business.
Blowing out a deep breath, Skylar sighed. “Well, it’s in fate’s hands now.”
My mother rubbed her hand on Skylar’s arm. “It always has been, sweetheart.”
***
The next two hours were filled with small talk. Strangers would ask me where Skylar and I were planning on getting married, where we would live, did we have enough money saved up to buy a house, and had we thought about life insurance yet. And the biggest question of the night was, how soon would we have kids.
Holy shit. I’m not even twenty. I’m not thinking about kids. That’s not even on my radar.
I did, however, make a mental note to talk to Skylar about kids—how many and when did she see that happening.
Michelle had finally stopped watching Mitch’s and Beth’s every move. I had to say, they were fooling everyone, except for me. It was the classic move of, Let’s act like we’re together, but we’re really not because we’re only friends. I was honestly surprised Michelle hadn’t caught on. I didn’t think I’d seen Mitch or Beth ever physically touch each other once.
“They are for sure together.”
Glancing to my left, I looked at Michelle. I could see the disappointment on her face.
“What makes you think that?” I asked.
“They haven’t left each other’s sides all night, Wyatt. Do you see how he keeps putting his hand on her back as they walk around the room? I’ve lost him.”
“Michelle, you can’t lose what you already let go.”
A single tear fell from her eye, causing me pain right dead in the center of my chest.
“I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me to say that.”
She wiped the tear away and let out a soft chuckle. “No. You’re totally right. I didn’t just let him go. I practically pushed him away.” Turning to me, she asked, “Do you think it’s too late for us?”
I smiled and replied, “No. He’s been a complete mess, Michelle.”
She chewed on her lower lip while looking back over at Mitch. “He doesn’t look like a mess.”
“Really? Because what I see is a guy who has clearly lost weight, hasn’t cut his hair in months, and hasn’t done laundry.”
Michelle’s eyes searched Mitch from head to toe.
“I think they’re friends who just happened to carpool here together. They’re sticking close to each other because Beth probably feels awkward, and Mitch is afraid to run into you.”
Slowly nodding, Michelle responded with, “I could see that.”
“But,” I added, “friendships can grow into something else.”
Peeking over to her, I watched as she dug her teeth into her lip.
Michelle narrowed her eyes. “That’s true.”
I knew I was doing the very thing I’d told Skylar not to do. I was butting in. “Looks like the ball’s in your court. You just have to decide if you’re in it to play and win.”
Spinning on my heels, I headed off to find Skylar, leaving Michelle to ponder on the things we had talked about.
I couldn’t help the small smile that played across my face. Sometimes, fate needed a little jump start.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
* * *
Skylar
MICHELLE LET OUT a long, dramatic sigh while handing me a dish to dry.
“Just say it,” I said, taking the dish. I quickly dried it and put it away.
