Page 35 of Saving Wyatt

WYATT

Even as I made my way to Luna's Lodge the next day, I couldn't take my mind off last night. The dinner I'd shared with Ari, the stories we'd exchanged, the lingering glances.

Was it me? Was I hallucinating? Was I projecting?

He couldn't possibly be interested in me, that much was clear. So why did I keep catching him studying my features as if he wanted to explore them with his fingers?

And then there was the comfort food. As if he wanted to make me feel at home with dinner and good company.

"Nah, you're losing it, old man," I told myself and shook my head.

I was definitely projecting. Just because someone made me dinner from their homeland, that didn't mean they liked me romantically.

Besides, even if he did, he was most probably in a relationship with my brother. If he had been flirting with me—which he wasn't—then it wasn't something to obsess over. It was something to warn my brother about, but since I couldn't be sure of their relationship, I'd just have to keep my mouth shut for the time being.

Or until I had further information to go on.

As I reached my destination, I tucked away Ari and any thoughts or concerns about him before I made my way inside.

Autumn and Elliot were helping Mr. Rogers with breakfast, and Donovan served the guests in the dining room.

I tried to help out too, but Mr. Rogers sat me down in the kitchen and handed me a mug of coffee so I could wait out the rush.

They seemed to have everything under control anyway, especially a few minutes later when Elliot shooed Autumn away and took charge.

She sat down opposite me with her own cup of coffee, looking flustered.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"That boy is a menace," she said and glared at Elliot, who stuck his tongue out.

"It's not my fault you can't boil an egg," he replied.

She gasped. "Excuse me! I can so boil an egg."

"Not well," he mumbled under his breath, and Autumn pouted. "Your ass was clearly not whooped enough as a child," she said, taking her slipper off and reaching for his butt.

He batted her hand away before she could touch him, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What is this?" Mr. Rogers asked when he returned to the kitchen with an empty platter, and immediately, both of them returned to their previous positions as if caught red-handed.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Autumn asked as Mr. Rogers and Elliot worked in tandem to get through their orders and replenish the buffet items.

"Just checking in on the zoo," I told her with a pointed look, if only to hide the real reason.

I just needed out of the house. Out of Ari's way and his space and everything that reminded me of him.

I needed out of the house before I did something I'd regret.

"Excuse me! Who did you call a zoo?" she raised her voice.

Elliot cast a pointed glance at her, and I hid my laugh behind a cough.

"How are things?" I asked.

"As good as can be," she sighed. "Oh, Parker and Hwan dropped by. They were considering having their wedding here. I hope you don't mind."

"Why would I?" I huffed. "The Outpost is no more."