Page 76 of Fire

It’s always been about her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Micah

Ivy drapes herself across my chest. She’s panting and I’m sweating and I don’t know what the shit just happened between us, but I wish I had a better vocabulary so I could describe it using the fancy words it deserves.

I blow a puff of air at the ceiling. “For the first time in my life I wish I’d read more books.”

“I’m sorry…” Ivy lifts her head, cocking one side of her mouth into a crooked grin. “Could you repeat that? I don’t think I’m back on this planet yet and must have misheard you.”

“It’s nothing.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her back to my chest. I like having her there. “I’m not talking sense.”

“Obviously. Because I’m pretty sure you said something about wishing you’d read more. Either I went home with the wrong guy, or we just fucked ourselves into a different timeline.”

“That has to be it. The timeline thing. What am I thinking? Books…” I laugh and press a kiss into the top of her head. We lay there, quietly enjoying just being together. Ivy’s breathing slows and her body grows heavy. I tighten my grip around her.

“I like it here,” she murmurs.

I’m not sure if she means here in the Keys, or here in my house, my bed, my arms, but it doesn’t matter. “I like having you here,” I say, meaning all of the above.

“It’s like I’m finally starting to live the life I always dreamed about. The one I filled journals with when we were young, in love, and stupid enough to think life wouldn’t knock us down a peg.”

If Ivy thinks this is as good as it gets, then her sights are set too low. There’s still so much more out there for her. So much of herself that’s locked away behind taking care of everyone else first.

“Have you considered going back to school?” The question surprises me as much as it does her. She lifts her head, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“You mean college?”

“You were talking about living the dream and it got me thinking. It’s not too late for you to get your degree. The door isn’t closed on that whole psychology deal.”

She sits up, frowning as she rests her weight on an elbow, her silken hair cascading over a shoulder to pool on the bed. “It’s pretty freaking closed. When would I have time to go to school? I have work. And Nell.”

“And me. You have me, too.” I bite my tongue on the rest of what I want to say for all of two seconds, then let it fly. “Honestly, it’d be nice not to have to remind you for once.”

Ivy’s frown deepens. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that between the two of us, we can figure out a way for you to get your degree. You don’t have to sacrifice so much anymore. It’ll be a lot of work, but I’m happy to support you while you do it. I’ll watch Nell while you’re in class, and the days I work, my parents will be thrilled to have her, or my cousins, or your grandma. It takes a village, and you finally have one. And I’m a big part of it. Or, at least, I should be.”

She’s quiet, her fingers trailing along my chest. “I don’t know…”

Really?

I mean, really?

We’re still here? With me wanting to help and her not knowing if she should let me?

Why won’t she see that I only want what’s best for her? My jaw tenses as I stare up at the ceiling, counting my breaths to fight back frustration. Tucker said I should give her space to figure herself out, but how long do I take that advice before I start looking like an idiot? Because I sure am starting to feel like one.

“I’m not him, Ivy.”

“I know you’re not him,” she whispers into the dark.

“I don’t want to control you. I just want you to know you’re not alone anymore.”

“I do know that.” But she’s quiet. Too quiet. And still. Like the mouse waiting for the cat to lose interest.

Drop the topic. That’s the best course of action here. Take Tucker’s advice and just let it go. Things will work out in their own time.

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