Page 58 of Writing On The Wall

I don’t regret kissing Ivy. I regret letting her run away again earlier this afternoon instead of coming clean about my feelings though. If I’d told her the truth, that I have absolutely no desire to go out with anyone else but her, she wouldn’t be here now, getting stitched up.

Ivy suppresses a wince as Dr. Smooth numbs her skin. I’m like a lion, jumping to her side and grabbing her hand. Her eyes pop open, meeting mine in question. I squeeze her hand, reassuring her I’m here for her. I’ve never wanted to shove a manout the door more than I do now. In my fantasy, Ivy doesn’t need her creamy skin stitched up, so hoisting this prissy intruder out the room isn’t inconsiderate.

“We’ll wait a few minutes for the skin to numb up,” he says, reminding me that for now, he’s needed.

Yeah, I’m a giant Neanderthal. I want to scoop Ivy up and growl outmine.

“Any inside info you can give me on Stef? I think there’s a coworker she’s into but she’s refusing to give me anything.”

Ivy looks puzzled as she pauses to think. “The only male teacher remotely her age is… Oh my gosh!” Her hand slaps over her mouth as she bugs her eyes at me. “Um…nope. I don’t know anything about that.” She adds, her eyes roaming over every wall in the tiny room we’re in.

“Well, we’ll just pretend you didn’t just answer my question,” He winks again as he sterilizes Ivy’s skin, and I clear my throat, though it probably comes out sounding more like a snarl.

“Sorry, man. I didn’t catch your name. Are you Ivy’s brother?” Dr. Bryan asks, pivoting toward me on his wheely chair.

“Boyfriend.” I smile flatly, giving Ivy’s hand a tighter clasp and shooting her a raised eyebrow when it looks like she’s about to protest. I don’t bother giving my name, because all this guy needs to know is that Ivy is unavailable.

“Right.” He clears his throat uncomfortably. A few minutes of awkward silence go by before dear old doc begins stitching Ivy up. She clenches my hand a little harder, sending small jolts to my stomach. I hate that she’s hurt because of me. If I’d called her phone or waited for her to come down the ladder, she might not have fallen. She was asking for trouble with those freaking wedge heels she wears, but I should have known better. The woman is a walking accident waiting to happen. I purse my lips, scowling at the doctor.

“Easy tiger,” he chuckles. “We’re all done.”

Dr. Bryan smiles once more at Ivy before leaving. I shift closer, cradling her hand more gently within mine, sending a message and secretly celebrating being close without her pulling away.

I curl an arm around her, helping her sit while the nurse relays aftercare instructions and orders Ivy to fill a prescription for antibiotics. My last few moments of pretending to be her boyfriend are waning by the second. As soon as the nurse leaves, I’m back to being a single man, brought to his knees by a woman who drives him crazy in every sense of the word.

“What the heck are you doing?” Ivy whisper shouts once we’re alone. Wide, mossy-green eyes impale me while her hand whacks my arm for emphasis.

“I’m thinking you should go out with me.”

“What?”

“Ivy June, can I take you out to dinner? On a date?”

“I have a boyfriend,” she squeaks.

I tilt my head. “False.”

“Listen here, Dwight Schrute.” She points a finger while sliding off the hospital bed. “I can’t date you. My life is already a mess, and Gran thinks I’m dating Toby. If she finds out that’s not true, she’ll be devastated. She only gave me the house because of it.”

I open the door, laying a hand on her back while we slowly make our way to the exit. I’m not that easily deterred, though. There’s magic between us, and I’m going to chase it. It’s the first time I’ve ever considered changing my plans for a woman, and that’s a pretty big green flag. Plus, I’m almost positive she’s overthinking this thing with her Gran.

“Counteroffer,” I propose, cupping her elbows as she cringes and hoists herself into my truck. “Continue fake dating Toby and have dinner with me. Just dinner.”

I shut her door, leaving her with my offer as I round the truck to the driver’s side.

When I climb in, she’s leaning back against the headrest, her eyes closed while she talks on the phone. I gather from her side of the conversation that there’s some sort of drama with Opal and Gail pulling a prank on her Gran. I slide out my phone to order a pizza delivery, because I could literally eat a horse at this point.

Ivy only hangs up once we reach her house, and she eases herself onto the sofa in the living room. I kneel in front of her, sliding her Crocs off her dainty feet. She lifts her head, eyes tracking my movements.

“This day feels like ten years,” she breathes out. “And I’m starving.”

“I ordered pizza,” I say, taking a seat beside her and pulling her feet over my lap.

“I could kiss you,” she mumbles and sighs, then her head pops up. “I mean that as a figure of speech.”

“I’m game,” I tell her with a shrug and a smirk.

“Ethan…” Her eyes sober as she plays with a thread of a pillow. “I’m serious about my life being a giant mess. My head feels like it’s going to spin off with all the drama and white lies and withheld information. Adding this,” she pauses to gesture between us, “as nice and confusing as it is, wouldn’t be fair to either of us. I don’t know if I could handle it once you’re ready to move on. Because youwillleave. You’re meant for big things, and this town is too small for Ethan King.” She smiles softly.

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