I started rubbing her back again, wracking my brain for what I could do to help. Unfortunately, I had no experience with helping sick people because werewolves didn’t get sick. But emptying your stomach wasn’t good for anyone, especially a wolf.
“I think you should eat or drink something to calm your stomach,” I said.
She shook her head. “Whatever I eat just comes right back up.”
“What about some ginger ale? Ginger is supposed to be good for upset stomachs.”
“I’ll go run to the deli,” Wyatt said from across the room.
Without a word from us, he hurried across the floor, shutting the door softly behind him. I took the first real breath I’d taken since he’d been in the room and did my best to focus on Ellie. That proved much easier without half of my attention on him.
“Callie, what’s going on with you and Wyatt?”
My heart stopped in my chest for a moment, my brain following suit. I glanced toward the door quickly before answering, “It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? You practically had steam coming out of your ears when you found out he’d be coming to work with me every day.”
My face instantly heated as I looked away again. Dang it. I never should have reacted like that in front of other people. This whole mess with Wyatt started because I wanted to keep our relationship private, yet there I was, the one causing scenes and raising questions.
“I can keep a secret, Callie,” she continued. “I just want to know what’s going on with you. Clearly, it’s something big, or you wouldn’t be reacting like this.”
I glanced at her. “Promise you’ll keep this between us?”
“I won’t say a word to anyone. Not even Abraham.”
Was I really doing this? The only other person who knew anything about us was Bea and even that felt like too many people. Maybe I could give her enough information that she’d stop asking questions.
I sighed. “It’s a long story, and one I don’t want to get into when he could be back any minute.”
“Just give me the gist.”
I let my head fall back and stared at the ceiling for a moment as I searched for the words to sum up the entirety of the mess I was in. Finally, I settled on, “He wants more than I’m willing to give.”
She gasped, and my eyes darted to her again. “He likes you, doesn’t he?”
I rolled my eyes. If only it were that simple. “We’re not in middle school, Ellie.”
“But he does, doesn’t he? He likes you.”
Does he like me? If you’d asked me that two weeks ago, I would have known exactly how to answer. Now? That question was a lot more complicated. So, I shrugged. “I guess you could say that.” Although that probably wasn’t the case anymore. I swallowed that bitter pill and did my best to keep a straight face.
“So, what’s the problem? You don’t like him back?”
I gave her an exasperated look. “Do you think we could talk about this like adults and not pre-teens?”
“Just answer the question.”
I bit my lip.
Did I like him? More than I should.
Did I care about him? More than I’d ever be able to put into words.
Did I love him? I couldn’t deny that either.
But I didn’t want her to know any of that, so I said, “I don’t know, Ellie. And I’m not willing to find out.”
“Why the heck not? Wyatt’s a great guy.”
“I never said he wasn’t.”
“Then what’s holding you back?”
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m sure I can keep up.”
Just then, a set of heavy footsteps clomping down the hall reached both of our ears and I heaved a sigh of relief that this conversation was over. I’d done enough sharing for one day.
The door opened and my spine stiffened without my permission. It had become like an armor of sorts.
“Hey, Wyatt. Thanks for running to the store for me,” Ellie rasped.
I saw him shrug out of the corner of my eye before he pulled a bottle of soda out of a bag and handed it to her. I held my breath as his arm came within inches of my face. I didn’t need his scent permeating my senses any more than it already did.
I focused on Ellie again and watched as she took a tentative sip of her ginger ale. “Thanks, guys. I think I’ll be all right for a while at least.”
I watched her for a moment, waiting for any signs she’d be sick again. “You sure? I can stay if you need me.” I crossed my fingers in my head and prayed she said no. I’d do just about anything for her, but being that close to Wyatt was wreaking havoc on my insides and I just wanted to hide in my office and lick my wounds for a little while.
She waved a hand and took another sip. “I’m fine. I’m just going to get some research done while my stomach is behaving.”
I watched her for a few more moments before reminding her to call Abey back and slinking out of the room. I didn’t spare a glance for Wyatt, but I could feel his eyes on me as I left. Once I was in the hallway alone, I let the shiver I’d been holding back run down my spine.
I made it to my office and slumped into my chair before burying my face in my hands. It was clear I’d need to work much harder at this acceptance stuff if I was ever going to get over him.
Chapter 34
Callie
“Hey. What’s going on?”
I’d just stepped out of my office to find Wyatt and Ellie rushing down the hallway toward the front door. My brows pulled into a frown
