Page 14 of Mountain Dreams

“You’re probably right.”

They both took another drink. Even though they’d been friends for years, they hadn’t had many serious conversations. In high school, it had been all fun and games, and in recent years, they hadn’t seen each other as much.

“Is there anything else going on? What triggered this?” Cody was all in now, regardless of the outcome.

“After we got engaged, it struck me that I’ve only been with one woman since high school. One woman. Can you even fathom that?”

I can if the woman is Madison. Cody chewed on his lower lip and tried to think of an appropriate response.

“I bet you can’t, because you’ve probably been with a dozen women since then.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

Wyatt shook his head. “There were at least that many in high school.”

“High school was a long time ago.”

“That’s exactly my point. People change and want different things.”

“So, what is it you want? To play the field?”

Wyatt shrugged. “Maybe. I never had a chance to ‘sow my oats,’ as the saying goes.”

“Do you think that will make you happier?”

“Seems to work for you.”

Cody shook his head. “Don’t use me as an example.”

“Why not? You seem happy enough.”

“My life is far from perfect.” Wyatt would probably be shocked if he knew that Cody often envied his long-term relationship with Maddie. He wasn’t about to tell him that now, though.

“Don’t tell me you’re ready to settle down?” Wyatt teased.

“Maybe, if I find the right woman,” Cody replied pointedly.

Wyatt averted his eyes. “Like I said, Maddie’s a great girl…”

“You mean woman. She’s not a girl anymore.” Cody hoped his defensiveness had gone unnoticed, but Wyatt called him out on it.

“I know how you feel about her.”

How could you? Cody shifted uncomfortably on the chair.

“You two have always been good friends. She might need your friendship in the coming days.”

Inwardly, Cody breathed a sigh of relief that his secret was still safe. However, his words didn’t bode well for Maddie. So far, he’d restrained himself, not wanting to go off half-cocked and accuse his friend of cheating when he didn’t have absolute proof. However, he wasn’t willing to let him off the hook that easily.

“Is there another woman?”

Wyatt blinked a few times like he didn’t understand the question.

“Because, if there is, it’s wrong to keep Madison on the hook.”

“I know that, and I haven’t done anything…”

“Yet,” Cody finished for him. “But you’re thinking about it.”