I frowned and exchanged a curious glance with Wyatt.
揑 swear to God, if you ruin my chance for another daughter-in-law,?her voice broke off and I got the sense she was shaking her head.
Daughter-in-law??? My face burned like molten lava and I refused to look at Wyatt.
揥hy are you looking at me??That was Emmett.
There was a derisive snort that sounded like Avery.
揧ou抮e already making us feel awkward,?Wyatt called, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the kitchen.
Avery, Emmett, and Holden lined up on one side of the counter and Elizabeth stood on the other side, shaking a wooden spoon at them. I could hear the sizzle of Sam barbecuing outside. She turned and greeted us with a too-bright smile.
揧ou抮e here!?She rushed over and enveloped me in a hug, pulling me into her and squeezing me. After a moment she pulled back to inspect my forehead with concern. 揑 heard you had an accident.?
I shook my head, rolling my eyes. 揂 little bump. A few stitches.?
揑t抯 not a little bump. She might have a concussion.?Wyatt opened the fridge and took out a beer.
揑 don抰 have a concussion,?I told him before turning back to the others with exasperation written all over my face. 揥e went to the ER and they shined a light in my eyes and said I was fine.?
Elizabeth held up a bottle of white wine. 揥ould you like a drink??
I shot her a smile and a nod. 揝ure.?
Wyatt shook his head. 揝he can抰 have a drink. Sometimes doctors miss things.?
Avery frowned and tilted her head at me. 揥ho checked you out??
揃eck.?
She wiggled her eyebrows with an appreciative grin. 揕ucky girl.?
Emmett turned to her. 揈xcuse me.?
Holden and I both snorted. Elizabeth ignored Wyatt and handed me a glass of wine.
揑t抯 fine,?I told him. He wore a pained expression, a mix of uncertainty and protectiveness.
Wyatt had been acting weird all day. First, this morning, he had been giving me heated looks that seared my skin and made me shiver. He was thinking about what we did while we were camping, no doubt. I was. It was all I could think about. His tongue on me, his fingers swirling, winding me tighter and causing my brain to explode with stars.
Since I bonked my head in the water, he had treated me like a cracked teacup. He wouldn抰 let me do anything all day except lay on the couch and listen to audiobooks. He had phoned Liya and made sure she was okay at the shop before he tucked me into the couch with a blanket and tea. He made me breakfast and lunch and finally, I got bored and took a nap. When I woke up, he stared out the window at the water while his laptop played old footage from surf competitions on silent.
In Elizabeth抯 kitchen, I met Wyatt抯 protective, worried gaze. 揑抦 going to have one glass. I抦 not going to drink the entire bottle. I抣l be okay.?I brushed my fingers over his tanned arm.
揙ne glass.?His throat worked. His forehead wrinkled with worry.
Sam appeared in the patio door with a pair of tongs. 揊ood will be ready in five.?He gave me a big grin and I saw Wyatt抯 lazy, casual grin in his expression. 揌ey, Hannah. Heard you bonked your head.?
I nodded and held up my glass. 揑 did and now I抦 getting drunk.?
揝he抯 not getting drunk,?Wyatt said too loud, and everyone burst into laughter but him.
My arm snaked around his waist and I jostled him. 揧ou抮e too easy.?
He looked down at me with a strained expression before his arm came around my shoulders and a hint of a smile passed over his mouth. 揧ou抮e taking years off my life here, bookworm.?
Avery watched us over the rim of her wine glass with interest.
We headed to the table out on the patio and took our seats while Sam brought over the plate of burgers. Wyatt sat to my left and Avery to my right. Across the table, Emmett whispered something to Holden and the corner of Holden抯 mouth lifted. I caught the warning death glare from Elizabeth and they dropped it.
揌ow was the Emily Carr exhibit??Holden asked, passing me the bowl of salad.
I nodded with enthusiasm. 揂mazing. The paintings were beautiful and so different in person.?I shot him a sympathetic look. 揑抦 sorry you missed it. I think there抯 another one next month you could catch by another local artist.?
Elizabeth perked up and nodded at me. 揑抎 love to go to that with you. We could go for lunch after.?
A funny, happy tightness prickled in my chest. 揑t抯 a date.?
揋ood.?She wiggled her eyebrows. 揈mmett, honey, you抮e holding up the salad.?
Avery glanced between Elizabeth and I with a small, knowing smile on her face.
Wyatt leaned over and his breath brushed my ear. 揇o you need another Advil? Your head feel okay??
揑抦 good,?I whispered back with a small smile. 揟hank you.?