Fetching: A Frenemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Unleashed Romance, Book 1)

by Kylie Gilmore

  Me: Could you at least pretend you don’t know all that girl stuff?

  Wyatt: Blame my sisters. I know all. (Involuntarily.)

  Me: See you soon.

  Wyatt: Not soon enough. That’s Snowball. Always so eager to see you.

  I stare at my phone, smiling. Oh, Wyatt.

  I shake my head, realizing I’ve been standing here smiling at my phone for I don’t know how long. I call Harper, and thankfully she answers.

  “Hi, Harp. It’s Sydney.”

  “Is everything okay? Your voice sounds a little weird.”

  “Yes, fine. I’m good.” Happy. It’s weird to feel so happy when I’m making the call I’ve been dreading. “The restaurant isn’t doing well though. I hate to ask, but I’ve missed three payments, and if—”

  “Not another word. Consider it done. I’m happy to send payment for the full amount.”

  “Are you sure? It’s two hundred thousand. I know you’ve got your wedding and the baby and—”

  “It’s fine. I have a nice little nest egg. You know I’ve never led an extravagant lifestyle.”

  My eyes water. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back. I worked up the paperwork and a letter outlining all the terms. I never want money to come between us, okay? This will all be very businesslike, and I’ll keep you in the loop at all times.”

  “Of course. I know you’re good for it.”

  “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t such a dire situation. I never want you to think I’m taking advantage of you being famous. I know you’ve had users in your life who didn’t treat you—”

  “Seriously? Syd, all this time I thought you just didn’t want to mix business with friendship. You actually thought I’d feel used by you? You’ve been my fiercest, most vocal supporter through every up and down my entire life.”

  I swallow over the lump of emotion lodged in my throat. “Are you saying I’m a loudmouth?”

  “Yes! When we both tried out for drama club shows and I got the lead every time, even though you were also fantastic and way funnier, you told everyone to watch, that one day I’d be a star.”

  “You are a star.”

  “You think I could’ve made it where I am today without your unwavering confidence in me?”

  I shake my head. “That was all your talent. You didn’t need me.”

  “The hell I didn’t. I knew you always had my back. You, Jenna, Audrey, you’re like sisters to me.” Her voice cracks.

  A tear leaks out of my eye. “Oh, crap. Now you’re making me cry.”

  She laughs a little. “Sorry, I’m hormonal from the pregnancy. Everything makes me cry. I don’t want you to spend another moment worrying about this. Nothing will ever come between me and my honorary sisters. We’re sisters for life.”

  Sisters for life. I let out a choking sob, tears streaming down my face, and I am not a crier. It’s just that Harper is an only child, and I only had brothers. “Dammit. Look what you made me do with all this sister business.” I grab a tissue and wipe my tears while the two of us sit on the phone sniffling to each other.

  “Oh, Syd. If I’d known this was what you were so worried about, I would’ve made you cry earlier.”

  “Ha-ha.”

  “Seriously, though, between me and Garrett, we’re fine. We can spare it. I’ll have my accountant transfer the money to your account today. Tell me all your info, and I’ll pass it on to her.”

  “Okay, and I’ll email you the paperwork I came up with. Hold on.” I dig my papers out from the nightstand drawer. She goes over my bank info with me twice, and then we talk a bit about her upcoming wedding on Saturday, Valentine’s Day. I’m going to be a bridesmaid. Josie Abbott is her matron of honor. I can’t wait to meet her. She’s a famous actress and super funny.

  “Thanks again, Harp. Anything you need, any time, you call. I could hold your hand in the delivery room or babysit or check on General Joan weekly. Whatever you want.” The General is her elderly grandmother.

  “I’d like daily General Joan checks for the next year.”

  I swallow hard. “Really?” Her grandmother is tough as nails and would not be so fun to visit daily. She’d probably order me to clean out her basement while supervising with her eagle eye, barking out commands. The woman really missed her calling in the military.

  She laughs. “Kidding. You don’t owe me anything. I just want you to be happy.”

  “I am. Actually, things are going really well with Wyatt.”

  “I’m not at all surprised.”

  “Don’t you remember I used to call him Satan? He made me so mad.” I can’t put much heat into my voice feeling the way I do now, all warm and affectionate.

  “Puh-lease. The sparks between you two were about to set the place on fire. I told you he’s a good guy.”

  “Yeah, he is.”

  “Aww, you really like him, don’t you?”

  I do a little wiggle in place. “I’m in love with him, and vice versa.”

  “I’m so happy for you! Next time you get time off, you guys should come into the city to visit us. We’ll be at my place for a couple more months before we move into our new place in Brooklyn. We’re having some renovations done. Garrett and his brothers took it on since January’s their slow time.”

  “I’ll mention it. Sounds good. Thanks again.”

  “You’re quite welcome. Talk soon, sistah. Bye.”

  I flop back on my bed, weak with relief. Problem solved. And I didn’t need Wyatt for any of it.

  17

  A short while later, I go to Wyatt’s place. I ring the bell at his front door, and he answers, Snowball tucked under one arm. He’s wearing a light blue button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, displaying golden manly chest, with dark gray trousers and leather shoes. He looks simultaneously sexy and nurturing the way he holds Snowball. My ovaries do a little dance. This man is father material. We’re not there yet, but I like the potential. Suddenly I just want to throw my arms around him. I resist, embarrassed by jumping so far ahead in my mind. “Hi.”

  He jerks his head. “Quick, get in here. I don’t want dinner to burn.”

  “You’re cooking?”

  “Yup.” He kisses me. “Glad you’re here. Let’s go.” He sets Snowball down, who trots after him to the kitchen.

  I take off my jacket and hang it on a hook in the foyer. I take a moment to check my purple cashmere sweater for lint. It was a birthday gift from my dad two years ago. Always so generous, even when he shouldn’t have been. I’m in jeans and my dressy high-heeled ankle boots. I didn’t know he was cooking a special dinner, but I always take the time to look nice before I come over.

  I go to the kitchen just as Wyatt’s draining a colander into the sink. It smells like steak in here. I spot two rib eye steaks, fully cooked, resting on top of the stove. “This looks great.” I’m so surprised he’s cooking, based on what we’ve been eating, mostly frozen microwavable food. “You actually like cooking?”

  “Sometimes,” he says, reading something on his phone.

  I peek over his shoulder. He’s got a mashed potato recipe on his phone. “Usually just some milk, butter, salt, and pepper.”

  He looks at me over his shoulder. “Excuse me, I can’t impress you if you help. Take a seat at the island.”

  I sit and watch as he prepares the potatoes. Once that’s done, he pulls a plastic bag of green beans from the refrigerator and microwaves them. “I got the kind you can cook in the bag.”

  I smile. “This is really nice.”

  He goes to a cabinet and takes out two crystal wineglasses. “I got your favorite merlot.”

  “I told you my favorite merlot?”

  “You talk constantly in bed. I listen.”

  My cheeks heat. “I do not talk constantly.”

  He smiles. “You share quite a bit post orgasm. There’s a balance—too many orgasms and you fall asleep. Too little and you’re all over me for hours.” He widens his eyes. “Exhausting. Just right, and you’re chatting a
way.”

  I can’t decide if I’m embarrassed that he tracks me like this or just happy he’s so good at making me feel good. “No such thing as too many orgasms.”

  He arches a brow. “Should we test it?”

  A rush of desire goes through me. “Stop. Get back to dinner.”

  “It could be a fun experiment.” He pulls the green beans from the microwave and cuts the top open, dropping it on the counter. “We never made it to six.”

  I shiver at the thought.

  A short while later, we’re settled across from each other at the kitchen table with our dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It’s simple but really good. We both have a glass of wine.

  “So is this your go-to seduction meal for your dates?” I ask.

  “No, what? Why would you say that? This is a complete original.” He nods.

  “I’m going to pretend you just made it for me so it’s special.” I cut off another piece of steak. “Besides, it’s awesome. I was expecting microwave burritos. Thanks for cooking.”

  “You’re welcome. In the morning I’m going to make you French toast.”

  “Oh my God, I love French toast.” I take a sip of merlot with hints of plum and dark cherry. “This wine is amazing. What kind is it?”

  He goes back to the counter, where he left the bottle, and brings it over. It’s a California wine I’ve never heard of. It must’ve been expensive. “I never have this quality of wine. I’m strictly on the under-twenty-dollar wine budget.”

  “Stick with me,” he says. “I’ve got excellent taste.”

  And money. I keep that to myself. Instead I smile and take another sip. I can’t enjoy what his money can buy and feel like it’s too much at the same time. I don’t want him because of his money, which is another reason I don’t want to let him get involved in my debt problem. At least that’s taken care of. Harper told me to confirm the money’s in my account in the morning, and then I’ll immediately send payment out to clear my debt once and for all.

  I take a forkful of mashed potatoes. “Harper says we should visit her and Garrett in the city.”

  He sets his fork down with a clatter. “Oh really? Sounds like a very couple thing to do.”

  I flush hot, mortified I overstepped. “I didn’t mean to assume that you and I are…” Wait a minute, the man implied very clearly he loves me. “Ha-ha.”

  He smirks. “Had you for a minute there.” He picks up his fork and goes back to his steak.

  I glance at him. “Some guys are weird about that stuff.”

  “You’re mine. That’s all I need to know.”

  I suck in air. “I’m yours?”

  “Yeah.” He chews and spares me a glance. “You can call it whatever you want, boyfriend-girlfriend, couple, relationship. All the same to me. I know you’re mine.”

  I give him side-eye. “That sounds a little too possessive to me.”

  “Not at all. I’m a giver. See? I cooked you dinner; later I’ll fuck your brains out. Give, give, give. Possessive would be holding you tight to me. I’m giving to you with my hands wide open.” He cocks his head. “Or is that my heart?”

  A bubble of pure happiness rises in me, making me feel light and buoyant. What guy talks about opening his heart? No guy, that’s who. I walk around to his side of the table and hug him.

  “Careful,” he says. “I’m holding a steak knife here.”

  I release him, and he stands, sets the knife down, and kisses me tenderly.

  He frames my face with both hands. “I love you.”

  My eyes get hot. He implied he did several times, he showed it in his actions, but still the words get to me deep down. A surge of affection overwhelms me, making my heart feel full to bursting. “I love you too.” I kiss him and pull away, but I can’t resist those warm whiskey eyes on mine, so I kiss him again. And again.

  He grins. “I know you want me, but finish your dinner. I put a lot of planning into this. Finest cut of meat. Hours of internet research for the best recipes. This was a step up from my usual seduction meal. Only the best for you.”

  My heart squeezes. Wait, hours of research for mashed potatoes and microwave-in-the-bag green beans. Ha!

  I guess he researched the heck out of steak recipes.

  I smile and go back to my seat. “You know, if I’m yours, then that means you’re mine.”

  He lifts his brows. “Fact. I knew we had to be exclusive from the start. I mean, how could I possibly have any stamina left for anyone else the way you attack me every night?”

  I laugh. “Damn right.”

  He gives me his warm smile, his eyes gazing into mine. “Damn good.”

  Wyatt

  It’s awesome to have Sydney all to myself here. I don’t begrudge my sister’s presence, but I’m definitely more relaxed just me and Syd. She’s more relaxed too. After dinner, things got dirty on top of the island. And later in my bed. In the shower this morning too, but that was her pleasuring me. I can’t remember ever feeling this good.

  Now I’m making her my signature French toast. The secret is vanilla extract. She’s sitting at the kitchen island, sipping coffee, checking her phone. I told her it’s about time she started sexting me, so hopefully she’s getting right on that. I smile to myself.

  She gasps. “Oh my God.”

  “What?”

  She stares at her phone, eyes wide, and then looks at me. “There has to be a mistake. I have to call her.” She rushes from the room.

  Strange. Call who? What kind of mistake? I hope it wasn’t anything to do with her debt problem. After breakfast, I was going to try to convince her to accept my help and partner with me. I want to take the burden off her shoulders.

  I finish up the French toast, get out the syrup, and set a couple of plates on the island for us. Almost forgot the sausage. I get several links from the freezer and microwave that too.

  I settle at the island a few minutes later, and she returns, her eyes glassy. Now I’m really getting worried.

  I close the distance and wrap my arms around her. “What happened?”

  “Harper added another hundred thousand onto my loan. She said she wanted to give me some breathing room while I get the restaurant back on its feet.” She stares at my chest. “It’s so generous. I know I should be happy, but it’s going to take forever to pay her back.”

  I drop my arms from her, my gut tight. She shut me out, going to Harper instead of me. She doesn’t trust in my abilities. Maybe I’m new to the restaurant business, but I have a lot of great ideas. I’m the fixer. I offered to help her out, free and clear, no loan. That’s a way better deal than owing money to Harper. Obviously, Sydney doesn’t want me as her partner. She says she loves me, but she still keeps me at a distance. The outsider.

  My chest aches. Hell, I thought we were building something here.

  I keep my voice calm. “Why wouldn’t you take my money but you’ll take hers?”

  “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

  I work for patience. “I said you didn’t have to pay me back. Just include me in saving the business.”

  She returns to her seat at the island. “I’m not one of your sisters you need to rescue. Let’s not fight. Breakfast smells wonderful.” She sits in front of it and cuts off a piece of French toast, popping it in her mouth.

  I’m too mad to eat. “Why won’t you let me fix this?” She’s pushing me away. Not only that, she kept me in the dark about Harper fixing her problem. It occurs to me I kept her in the dark when I went to Drew, but it’s not like I didn’t mention how to fix her restaurant before that. And I thought he was the owner at the time. I had a legitimate reason to go to him. She had no reason to go to Harper. She has me.

  I stare at her. “You won’t accept my help doing what I do best. I turn businesses around. I take care of people. In this case, my two strengths are united—taking care of you and saving your business, yet you shut me out.”

  “Wyatt,” she says gently, “it’s not perso
nal. Seriously.”

  Of course it’s personal. And I’m not letting her owe another huge debt. That’s no way to live.

  I love her deeply. And, after all her struggles, I’m fixing this once and for all.

  As soon as Sydney leaves my place for work that morning, I call Harper.

  Harper answers the phone cheerfully. “Hi, Wyatt. Sydney tells me things are great between you. I’m thrilled to hear it.”

  “Not quite.”

  “Oh no. Did you guys break up?”

  “No, nothing like that. She’s in love with me, but she’s too damn stubborn to accept my help.”

  “Aww.”

  “I want to pay off her loan to you. She’s stubborn, as you know, and keeps insisting she doesn’t want me mixed up in this, but I am, so give me your info, and I’ll clear her debt to you.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you two should talk about it first?”

  “We did talk. Look, it’s serious with us, so just consider it an engagement gift for her in the future.”

  “An engagement gift before the engagement?”

  “I’ll let her know after she says yes. Better than jewelry for her, don’t you think?”

  “That’s so romantic. You’re looking out for her.”

  “Yes! Thank you. That’s what I keep telling her, but she’s Miss Independent.”

  “This is so sweet. You guys fell fast.”

  “It’s been a month, and we were working up to it for a while before that. She just didn’t see my charm at first.”

  She laughs. “Okay. I’ll text you my accountant’s number, and you can call her to work out the details.”

  “Thanks. Very much appreciated.”

  18

  Sydney

  It’s Thursday, and I’m feeling awesome. Trivia night and Thursday Night Wine Club, aka ladies’ night, are growing in popularity, and my debt is gone. The Horseman Inn is free and clear. I can make payroll, invest in marketing, even consider some renovations. The kitchen badly needs upgrades.

  I’m going to Wyatt’s place after work tonight, like usual. We’re essentially living together. With Kayla too. She decided to stay and work on her thesis there. She finds Summerdale charming and enjoys all the land surrounding Wyatt’s place. She even bought snowshoes so she could tromp around the property. She’ll take Snowball on walks that way, where the snow isn’t too deep.