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Wyatt’s ex.
Penny’s mother.
She was stunning, a mature and gorgeous version of Penny herself.
I shouldn’t have been surprised that handsome, charming Wyatt would have exes that had dazzling smiles and were built like Wonder Woman.
I tugged at the hem of my cutoff shorts and the discarded Midwest Michigan University T-shirt I’d stolen from Wyatt’s laundry basket and cropped into a cute top.
“Mom!” Penny stepped forward to embrace her mother, and the woman’s arms wound around Penny’s back.
“Hey, Penny. I’ve missed you!” She smiled at Wyatt. “Thanks for making this happen.”
“’Course.” His voice was softer as he looked at the woman and Penny. “Glad you could make the trip.”
The woman looked at Red, who didn’t say hello or seem to recognize her. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan. It’s good to see you again.”
My heart ached for them, as it was clear as day Red didn’t recognize her.
“I’m Bethany. Penny’s mom? I visited you a few times with Wyatt. Remember? Of course you do!”
“Yeah. Yes. Of course.” Red shifted his weight, and I worried that he’d get frustrated and agitated, as MJ had warned often happened when he was pushed to remember fuzzier details.
Thankfully, or maybe unfortunately, the woman’s eyes landed on me. “Oh. Hi. I’m Penny’s mom, Bethany.”
I stepped forward and offered my hand and a wobbly smile. “Lark. I’m, um...”
I looked to Wyatt for help.
Am I the nanny? Personal assistant? Fuck buddy?
It was Penny who provided the details as the awkward silence filled the air. “She’s our neighbor and my very best friend! She also works for Daddy.”
Penny’s delighted eyes met mine, and I winked at her as Wyatt nearly choked next to me.
He cleared his throat. “Lark’s been a lifesaver this summer, what with me juggling the new job, the team. She’s the only reason a few of my players will be eligible in the fall. Penny likes hanging out with her too.” He ruffled her hair.
Bethany’s smile was nothing but genuine, and I relaxed a little. “I still can’t believe you moved back to the middle ofnowhere.”
Red grumbled at her tiny jab. Her words weren’t malicious, but it was obvious she was a city girl, through and through.
Bethany stood, holding on to Penny and looking at Wyatt. The weird, jealous feelings I hated to admit to having started to bubble up, so I took the opportunity to bail.
“Hey, Red, how does a walk sound?”
Relieved gratitude flickered over Wyatt’s face, and my throat went thick. Bethany was pleasant. Nice, even. I knew I wasn’t the first woman Wyatt had ever been with, but the fact that henevertalked about Penny’s mom made me burn with curiosity.
Red and his fractured mind felt safe. He didn’t recall much, if anything, about Bethany, and that meant I couldn’t torture myself with peppering him with questions in search of answers.
I smiled at Penny as I looped my arm through Red’s. “Have a great time, Pen.”
Penny surged forward and wrapped her arms around my middle. “See you Sunday night. Love you.”
Sudden, unexpected tears pricked at my eyes as I rubbed her back. “Love you too, kiddo. Have so much fun.”
Before I could look at Wyatt’s face and dissolve into a puddle of unwelcomed emotion, I gave Red a watery smile and led him down the sidewalk.
Red patted my hand. “Kids always know how to punch you in the gut, don’t they?”
