Page 99

“I haven’t forgotten.” He flashes me a smile and takes my hand in his, bringing my knuckles to his lips. “I just thought we should spend some time together. Alone. Somewhere we can have some privacy. It’s been a…difficult year.”

I briefly close my eyes and nod. “It certainly has.”

“I’d like to reconnect. Put the past behind us and start fresh.” He moves his hand to my stomach. “As a family.”

“I’d like that.”

The car falls quiet as he drives toward Magnolia Glen, an exclusive community tucked at the foot of the mountains, home to multimillion-dollar estates.

Wyatt may have been born and raised in a blue-collar family in Sycamore Falls, but the instant he experienced success, he wanted more and everything that came with it.

Like the ability to stay in a sprawling mansion in Magnolia Glen.

I lean my head against the window as we pass luxurious home after luxurious home.

Everything polished.

Everything impressive.

Everything a little too perfect.

I’d take Sycamore Falls over this any day. It has charm and character. This place lacks both.

But maybe this is what we both need. Neutral territory where we can fix our marriage without the shadow of past mistakes or indiscretions surrounding us.

When Wyatt pulls into the garage and turns off the engine, I reach for my door. But before I can open it, he stops me.

“I’ll get it.”

I nod and wait for him to jog around the car. Once he opens my door, he offers me his hand and helps me down.

“I packed some clothes for you from back home,” he explains, grabbing his suitcase from the back of my SUV. “And don’t worry about Gary. I spoke with your father. They’re happy to watch him for a few days so we can have some time to ourselves.”

“Great.” I manage a tight smile, suppressing the urge to remark that Gary’s supposed to be part of our family, and I wouldn’t mind his company.

“I also hired a chef to stop by and prepare a few meals. That way, you don’t have to worry about cooking.”

He punches a code into the keypad by the door leading into the house. Once it beeps, he opens it and places a hand against my lower back, guiding me inside.

Marble floors gleam beneath recessed lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the mountains. Everything is sleek and immaculate, from the modern furniture to the art hanging on the walls.

“Do you remember Dylan Lawrence? Jude’s sister?” Wyatt asks. “Jude was in my year but didn’t play football.”

“I know the Lawrences.”

“She owns a catering business now, so she’ll be preparing our meals.”

“You didn’t have to do all that. I don’t mind cooking for myself.”

“I know.” He approaches and runs his hands down my arms. “I want to do this for you. You’re growing our baby.” He slides a hand to my stomach. “All I want you to worry about is taking care of yourself and our little boy.”

“It could be a girl.”

He grins and shakes his head. “It’s a boy. I can feel it. Now come on. Let’s check out the rest of the rooms.” He grabs my hand and pulls me farther inside.

Our house in Houston is stunning. Top-of-the-line everything. But this house is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. A library with thousands of books. A game room with billiards, a dartboard, and hundreds of board games. There’s even an indoor pool featuring a wall of glass facing the peaks.

I honestly didn’t think anything could top that.