Wyatt’s head turns a fraction toward me, like he’s checking if I’m still breathing.
I am.
Barely.
Wyatt faces Graham again. “You’re done here.”
Graham lets out a soft chuckle. “Is that a threat?”
Wyatt’s mouth doesn’t move. “It’s a promise.”
The words hit me low in the belly. Not because I’m impressed by posturing. Because Wyatt doesn’t posture. He means what hesays, and the certainty in him is terrifying and… something else. Something that makes my pulse jump in places it shouldn’t.
Graham’s gaze flicks to the front of the shop, where the window faces Main Street. He knows eyes are on us. He knows Margie Warner and Mrs. Hargrove are probably vibrating with gossip across the street.
So he plays the gentleman.
He smooths his suit jacket. “I’m here to offer a solution,” he says, louder now, performing. “Ellie’s accounts are in default. The bank has procedures. I can help her if she’d just?—”
“If I’d just what?” I snap. “Come beg?”
Graham’s smile tightens. “Come be reasonable.”
Wyatt’s hand slides behind him, palm brushing my hip through the flannel like a silent warning to stay back. It’s not a grab. It’s not force. It’s control.
My skin lights up anyway.
I hate myself for it.
Graham’s gaze drops to Wyatt’s hand placement, then lifts again. “This is getting inappropriate,” he says, voice smooth. “I’ll let you two… do whatever this is. But Ellie, we’ll talk soon.”
“No,” I say, voice steady now. “We won’t.”
Graham’s eyes go hard, finally. “You’re making a mistake.”
Wyatt’s voice cuts in, quiet and lethal. “Leave.”
Graham holds Wyatt’s stare for a beat too long, like he’s trying to measure him. Then he glances at me one last time—like I’m property he temporarily misplaced—and turns toward the door.
“See you soon, sweetheart,” he tosses over his shoulder, just to see if he can still make me flinch.
Wyatt steps forward so fast Levi actually straightens like he might have to intervene. Sadie’s hand shifts, like she’s ready to do something messy.
But Wyatt stops himself.
Barely.
Graham leaves with a smile that isn’t a smile.
The bell jingles behind him like a joke.
The second the door closes, I exhale and realize my whole body is shaking.
Levi lets out a low whistle. “That man is… punchable.”
Sadie’s gaze stays on me. “You okay?”
I swallow. “I’m fine.”
