Page 73 of Writing On The Wall

Arachnid Avoidance Syndrome aside, I kind of love that she had the guts to pull off something like that. To think she had that little fake spider in her pocket this whole time, planning her attack. It’s actually kind of adorable. If she’d seemed unphased by Jessyca’s flirting or sat here happy as a clam, that would have been the real downer. But this just adds fuel to the fire.

Time to press the last button. I just hope this doesn’t backfire.

“Easy there, Marsh—looks like steam’s about to start whistling out of those pretty little ears of yours again.” I flash a smile as I casually scan her face.

She ignores me, pressing her lips together while her chin juts forward. Just as I’d hoped, she scoots her chair back, plopping her napkin beside her plate with a forced smile for her friend.

“Excuse me for a minute. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Anxiety swirls in my stomach as I stand a few seconds after her, ignoring Colton’s reprimand. This could go verypoorly if I push her too soon. But I can’t waste my one chance, either.

I find her scowling at the wall, arms folded as she waits in the hall outside the restrooms. I push aside my nerves, determined to get through to her. But first, I need to poke the bear a little more.

“Ivy Marsh. This is one of the most delightful days one can have, eating plate after plate of delicious cake, and you just pulled off one hell of a prank.” I purse my lips in thought. “I know you’ve got the grumps because you haven’t been waking up next to me, but that’s an easy fix.”

“Why are you here?”

“For the cake,” I retort with a shrug.

“You know what I mean,” she growls. “Why are youhere, right now? If you need to pee, the men’s restroom looks open. Or better yet, if you’re looking for a bed to warm, you should findJess. The two of you seem to be hitting it off. Just keep it PG-thirteen for now, since this is a public place.”

There’s so much fire bubbling inside, she’s like a volcano ready to blow, yet I’m still desperate to look inside. “For someone who told me to move on to other women, you seem pretty upset about Jesycca flirting with me.” I step closer, peering down at her eyes as they dart around nervously, like she’s been caught out. “Why does that bother you?”

“It doesn’t.” She gulps.

“Ivy,” I swallow hard, too. “Tell me you feel something here?” I’m nearly pleading for her to make the first move, to ask me to press my lips to hers.

She ignores my question, ducking under me and she begins pacing. “Oh! And why does everyone else get a nickname? Even Jesycca with aYgets one,” she adds, her nostrils flaring. But I get the feeling she’s rallying her anger so she doesn’t let the more vulnerable feelings show.

I gently lay my hands on her shoulders, turning her to face me. Once she finally lifts those crystal green eyes, I bring my hands to her jaw, making sure I have her attention.

“You wanna know why I haven’t given you a nickname, Ivy?”

“Yes,” she lets the word scrape out.

“Because I wanted you to know that I see you.I seeyou,Ivy June Marsh. I see the show you put on to keep anyone from noticing when you struggle. I see the walls you put up to protect yourself. I see how hard you fight and how fiercely you love. And I want to be your champion, I want to support you, to defend you, to brag on you, if you’ll give me a chance. But you gotta give me a chance, baby.”

Her eyes leave mine, and I can see the second she starts making up reasons why this won’t work. “Take a chance with me, Ivy,” I beg as I await her response. This is it. If she refortifies those walls right now, her heart will be so bricked up, it’ll take forever to get her to this precipice again.

But I’d do it. I’d fight for her, again and again.

“Let me support you. Share the load,” I plead one more time.

“Did you just quote Samwise Gamgee to me?” she blinks. I shrug as I watch her eyes bounce around my face, her thoughts warring with her heart. And then, like the dramatic ending of a song, everything goes quiet, and I can see when she’s made up her mind. Peace washes over her face as she allows the slightest curl of her mouth.

“Kiss me,” she demands.

My lips crash to hers in one sharp inhale, my hands cradling her head as she rises to her toes. I don’t know how she manages while wearing those damned wedges, but I can’t pull her in close enough. I’m lost within seconds, savoring the tasteof her lips until I’m yanked from my euphoria when she suddenly pulls away.

Her eyelashes flutter as she blinks and brings her fingers to her lips.

“Don’t you dare tell me that was a mistake,” I rasp, trying to catch my breath.

“I couldn’t. Not afterthatkiss,” she concedes, shaking her head. “I just can’t believe you’re a fan ofThe Lord Of The Rings…”Then a frown etches between her brows once again as she looks up at me. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I grin. Does this mean what I think it means?

“Yes. But this has to stay a secret, at least for a little while.”

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