Something Borrowed: The Jilted Series, #3

By Liz Lovelock

"Can I borrow you for a night?"

When Maddie poses this question to her long-time friend Wyatt, his immediate response is yes. He could never say no to the one woman who's held a special place in his heart since they were teenagers.

With a boyfriend who can't seem to make her a priority, Maddie turns to the one person she knows she can always rely on… Wyatt.

Maddie is the girl Wyatt shouldn't let walk away twice, and he plans to hold on to her and never let her go, but first, she has a decision to make.

Will she stay or will she take a chance on the unknown?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Lovelock
• Release date: Oct 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223092940

Book preview

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

Preview - Something Blue

Other Books by Liz Lovelock

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Connect with Liz Online

MADELYN

Hey, Maddie, have you seen this? Turning away from the patient’s chart I’m updating, I glance over at Alice, then follow her line of sight to the television. Isn’t he your friend?

Wyatt is on the screen. He needs to shave—that five o’clock shadow can’t be doing much for his professional look, although I like it. A lot. Yeah. We’ve been friends for years.

Alice’s hands go to her hips as she turns to face me. How do I get an introduction? He’s delicious. She gives me a pointed look. Why have you never brought him to any of these charity galas and get-togethers we’re forced to attend?

Because I have a boyfriend that comes with me. I laugh, shrugging.

Her eyebrows shoot to the ceiling. You mean you have a boyfriend who says yes and then doesn’t show up, so you come on your own? Pain stabs my stomach at her truth bomb. She’s always right when it comes to Trent. She likes to reference him as Mr. Invisible, and she isn’t wrong.

Sucking in a deep breath, I release it slowly. I know where you stand with him, Alice. He’s just so busy. Look at what he’s competing against to get some of the best clients. I gesture toward the television, where Wyatt has now vanished from the screen. It’s been a while since he and I have caught up. Well, since Trent came along twelve months ago, Wyatt’s taken an enormous step back from me, almost as if he has become Mr. Invisible. He’s the one I miss, though, not Trent, and it shouldn’t be like that.

Does Trent know him? Alice gestures toward the television, one of her eyebrows hitched.

I snap the folder shut and walk over to her, stopping short to hand her patient’s file over. Yeah, it was Wyatt who introduced us. And then, before we knew it, Trent and I were an official couple after only a handful of dates. I smile, but the struggle behind it is real, and it shouldn’t be, especially when I’m supposed to be happy with Trent.

Well, you need to introduce me to this tall, dark, and handsome man. She gushes, almost breathlessly.

We’ll see. Are you off now? I check the clock on the wall, and it reads five o’clock in the afternoon. Only two more hours to go for me, and then I’m off for the next couple of days.

Alice shakes her head. "No, I’ve got two babies on their way, and who knows when the others will go into full labor. And I have some follow-ups. You know me, always busy because I have no life."

Pfft… you’re the best in your field. It’s what pays for your fancy house in the Hamptons, remember?

What’s a fancy house with no man to keep me company?

Men are not the be-all and end-all. Trust me. As much as I wanted to add that last part on, I do not doubt she sees right through me.

I only want him for a little fun. She winks and turns, sashaying away, her black stiletto heels clicking as she goes. They must hurt her feet, but when she has surgery, out come the joggers. It must be an office day at the moment.

Always a little bit of fun with you, I mutter with a smile, then head back to the nurses’ station.

With the thought of the nurses’ gala on my mind, I better check that Trent is coming this time. I pull my cell from my pocket to find a message from him waiting for me.

Trent: Hey, beautiful. Dinner tonight with Wyatt. I’ll meet you at your place at 7.

Oh yeah, sure. Thanks for even asking first, I say to my phone, wishing I could say it to Trent’s face. The only good thing out of this is getting to see Wyatt. It’s been too long.

I type a quick reply.

Madelyn: Sounds good. Also, will you be coming to the gala this coming weekend?

What will be his excuse this time?

A minute later, his reply breaks my heart a little more.

Trent: We’ll see. I’m trying to win a client over.

The urge to spew hate and anger at him like a fire-breathing dragon overwhelms me to the point of tears welling in my eyes. Why do I put up with this? What is the reasoning for the way he treats me? I’m nothing more than his arm-candy who smiles when he needs me to.

Instead of replying to Trent, I type a message to Wyatt.

Madelyn: So… dinner tonight, huh? What’s the reason for it?

His response is immediate.

Wyatt: What? You don’t want to see my beautiful face?

Madelyn: Ha-ha. Really, why? I haven’t heard or seen you in ages, and yet we’re going to dinner tonight.

Wyatt: Didn’t Trent tell you?

Madelyn: Tell me what?

Alarm bells start ringing so loud they begin to drown out the sounds of the hospital floor. My heart pounds in my chest and vibrates to my ears. Finally, a message comes through.

Wyatt: This is a business dinner. It was only supposed to be me and him. I only found out about you just now when you messaged me. By the way, sorry for not being in contact sooner, you know me, I’m all business and not much play (if I can help it).

Madelyn: So why do I have to come?

Wyatt: No clue. Your guess is as good as mine.

An idea forms in my head. It’s not a good or smart one, but it might be something that maybe wakes Trent up a little, so he finally sees me as his girlfriend and not just a girl he calls when he needs me.

Madelyn: Hey, I need to ask you a favor? Can I borrow you for a gala that I’m attending?

WYATT

No, that’s a bad idea, Wyatt. Borrow you? Does this girl have a boyfriend? Scarlett says as she comes out from behind me.

I pull my phone against my chest and cock an eyebrow. That’s rude, reading over my shoulder.

She shrugs and continues toward the kitchen. Next time, don’t have it out on display. Who’s Maddie anyway? You’ve never mentioned her.

Always nosey.

I have mentioned her. Madelyn… the nurse?

Scarlett takes a bottle of water from the fridge as I settle back into the seat at her dining room table. The Madelyn that Lachlan told me you were sweet on for years, and now she’s dating your competition?

Yeah, that’s the one… Trent. He’s the one who tried to poach Lachlan a couple of months back. Though. I’m not sure why he would even try. Lachlan is like my brother, and I highly doubt he would leave me for someone like Trent. He’s too focused on the dollar signs than what’s in front of him.

Scarlett drops into a seat across from me, a scrutinizing look appears on her face. I never liked the man. There was something about him that didn’t feel right. Plus, I doubt Lachlan would leave you. You’d have to get rid of him yourself because it won’t be the other way around.

I nod. "I am glad he’s settled down, and I don’t have to worry too much about his personal life anymore. Now it’s all business and getting him the best deal."

Scarlett takes a mouthful of chilled water then sighs. And we’re grateful you’re on his team. Anyway, back to you and Madelyn… why did you never pursue anything with her? What’s she like? Do you have a photo?

I hold my hands up. Whoa, stop right there. I’m not giving you any information right now. I don’t need Madelyn to be the topic of conversation with you and your girl posse. I chuckle, and her smile grows wider.

I have my ways, Wyatt. You should know this by now. Just give me a little information. First off, why doesn’t she take Trent? That’s his name, right… I nod, …to this gala thing? Scarlett takes a seat and leans on the table, crossing her arms in front of her, wholly invested in this conversation.

I’m not sure.

Well, ask her? She throws her arms in the air dramatically.

Rolling my eyes, I say. I will. Settle down. I pick up my phone and type a response.

Wyatt: Why not ask Trent? He is your boyfriend, remember?

I sense laser eyes on me, and when I glance back up, Scarlett is staring. I place my phone back on the table. Now we wait.

A stretch of silence falls between us before Scarlett speaks. Tell me why you never dated her?

You’re demanding, aren’t you?

"I like having information. You should know this by now. And for your peace of mind, I promise what’s said here won’t go past my lips again. Promise."

Scarlett is a woman of her word and can keep a secret when needed. Hell, she and Lachlan were a massive secret on their own.

Clearing my throat, I wriggle up straight in the wooden chair. I was more focused on building my career when we first met. I’d signed on with Lachlan, and she’d just broken up with her fiancé. I guess it was never the right time. It’s not like I could jump into bed with her right after her fiancé decided he didn’t want to be tied down.

Scarlett’s eyes go wide like saucers. You’re kidding, right?

I shake my head. I wish I was.

You’re a gentleman, Wyatt. My friends all see that, hence, the reason they’ve all wanted to bed you at one time or another. She laughs.

Yeah, well, I learned my lesson after sleeping with Vivian. Yes, it was fun, but since that night, I didn’t want to be the guy with random hookups under his belt.

Wait, are you telling me you haven’t been with a woman since you slept with Vivian?

I give her a pointed look. I’m not saying I’ve been celibate, but I’ve been conservative and don’t make a point of having it known to the entire world. A man has needs, Scarlett. I rake my fingers through my hair and glance at her.

So why didn’t you get in there before Trent did? What was holding you back? How long have they been together?

I think it’s been nearly twelve months.

And how long has it been since you guys caught up?

And the questions keep coming.

Where is she going with this?

I rub my hand over my stubble and think about what she’s asked. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other in person. One of us will text the other now and then. I suppose you could say we drifted apart a little bit.

Scarlett chews her bottom lip and rises from her chair. I’m going to say this because you need to hear it…you’re stupid. You should have taken the chance you had before Trent came along. Work is only there for so long, and then where will you be? Lonely. That single word rings the loudest. It’s time to get out there and start dating. Hell, go with Madelyn to this gala, and maybe she can be your wing woman. She’d know lots of women, I’m sure.

Just as I’m about to respond, my cell chimes, so I collect it from the table and frown at her response.

Madelyn: Because I’m sick of being invisible to Trent.

What did she say? Scarlett urges and stands at the table, waiting for my response.

However, I’m not sure what to say to either of them. After a moment, I let Scarlett read the message.

What do I do? I ask.

Handing the phone back, she smiles. You bide your time, and you get close with her again. Obviously, things between her and Trent aren’t great. Be her friend. Be there for her. Go to the gala with her, but… she stabs a finger at me, … don’t you dare kiss her or do anything inappropriate. She’s in a relationship. You were friends first, so be the friend. And, Wyatt? Don’t let her slip through your fingers again if she is the girl you want. Don’t be an idiot. She finishes saying her peace and steps out of the room as Lachlan strolls in, freshly showered.

What did I miss? He eyes me and then glances to the now empty doorway.

I clear my throat. Nothing, Scarlett was offering her opinion on something I needed help with.

Lachlan narrows his eyes. Lady problems, hey? He chuckles before heading to the fridge and starts pulling out vegetables, then turns to the cupboard for the pots