Page 74 of Writing On The Wall

Hell, I’m so elated that she’s not brushing me off, I’d agree to almost anything. However, I reserve the right to be salty about the last part, since I know it technically involves her allegiance to another man. “Fine. But you make up for it with kisses when we’re alone.”

“Deal. Also, I will rip Jesycca’s eyes out if she touches you again.” She squints and pokes me in my chest. Then she spins and trots back to the table, a whole lot less explosive than when she marched over here. I’m a hell of a lot more smug than before, too. Just call me the bomb defuser.

I give it a minute before sauntering over to my seat, just as everyone digs into their fourth slice of cake. Ivy’s piece is spared the fate of her previous three as she happily eats the one in front of her, a hint of a smile never leaving her lips. The ones I just kissed the heck out of. And, man, what I wouldn’t give to kiss her right now and taste the cake she’s devouring…

“What’s going on with you two?” Colton points his fork between us, bringing me back from a trance. My gaze darts down to my plate and away from Ivy’s lips, at least for the moment.

“Is he being a tool about renovation stuff?” Ember adds, narrowing her eyes.

“I’m being a perfect gentleman,” I announce.

If by “gentleman” you mean daydreaming about making out with my secret girlfriend, then I’d give that Mr. Darcy punk a run for his money.

Ivy clears her throat. “We had a disagreement, but we’ve sorted it out. This strawberry cake is definitely my favorite, by the way,” she says, expertly redirecting the conversation the way she always does. But as it turns out, I still love pushing her buttons.

“Yeah, we kissed and made up. No more fighting, so you can relax,” I mutter dryly before finishing the last bite of cake.

Colton and Ember are oblivious to the double meaning of my words.

Unfortunately, my chance to relish that last bite is interrupted as Ivy delivers a swift kick to my shin beneath the table, causing me to inhale a chunk of cake. Cue two minutes of me hacking up a lung while everyone at the table and a few onlookers stare helplessly. Ember tries to assist with pitying pats on the back. Meanwhile, my coughing fit has summoned Jesycca, who saunters over to offer assistance in the most impractical way imaginable. I’m gulping down water, still trying to breathe normally while her hand rubs my shoulder. Ivy stares murderously while flinging napkins in my general direction.

“Thank y-you…Jesycca. I’m good,” I sputter, leaning forward so her hand falls away. I’m just trying to spare her eyes from being removed with the spoon Ivy is currently trying to bend with her fists.

“Right. Well, that was sufficiently awkward, so thanks, Eth,” Colton says with a fake smile and sarcastic sway of his eyes. Then he turns to his fiancée. “Which flavor isit, Em? We could do two if you want. We can haveallof themif you can’t decide, although that mango one should be kept to itself.”

Ember lets out a snort, hugging Colton’s bicep. “I’m happy with the strawberry shortcake, if you’re okay with that one.”

“Perfect.” He leans in, planting a tender kiss on her temple, igniting a spark of anticipation within me. I can’t wait until I can freely express my affection for Ivy in public. I turn my eyes to hers, conveying my thoughts with a tilt of my lips, and she smiles back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

IVY

“So you haven’t seen it anywhere in the house?” Ross inquires with an air of urgency through the phone while I walk to my car. No ‘hello,’ ‘hi,’ or even a ‘hey, how are you, Ivy?’I answer the phone to nothing more than an impatient interrogation about Gran’s music box. Which is nowmymusic box.

“No, Ross.” My tired response drags out while I walk to my car. “Why do you suddenly care about that old music box, anyway?”

Of course, I’m well aware of his motives, but for once I want some honesty from him.Anyredemptive act would alleviate the sting from the slashes he continues to inflict on my heart.

“You wouldn’t understand, Vee. Look, I gotta go, but if you find it, let me know. It would save both our asses.”

And then he hangs up, leaving me growling loudly at the empty parking lot. Everyone else left hours ago, but it took me longer than I thought to organize the information the parents have been sending through for the school production volunteersignup. So long, in fact, that I had to cancel my plans to get a drink with Stef.

I shift my hefty tote bag onto my shoulder, its weight tugging at my muscles, and reach for the handle of my car door. A flicker of annoyance crosses my mind as I realize the interior lights aren’t illuminating as they usually do. The sun will soon bid farewell, darkness enveloping everything, save for the lone floodlight I carelessly parked away from.

I twist the key in the ignition, a futile attempt to start my car’s stubborn engine. This feels like the beginning of every horror movie. The thought makes me shiver as I reach for the door locks. A pang of uncertainty hits me as I secure the doors, and I offer a silent prayer that this simple mechanism isn’t as defunct as the rest of the car’s powerless features.

The locks thankfully engage, but I still tug on the handle to make sure. I slide my phone out of my pocket, staring at it, hoping for a solution to magically appear. I consider calling Toby, but he’d be useless in this situation. I doubt he knows anything about car mechanics. With a heavy sigh, I tap Ethan’s name.

“Hey,” he answers with a smile in his voice. “I was about to call you. Did you have fun with Stef?”

“I, uh, actually didn’t end up going. I wasn’t done with this schedule thing.” My eyes pan the empty parking lot while I muster up the balls to confess my current situation.

“You’re still at school?”

“Yeah. About that…I was going to leave, but my car won’t start. I think my battery’s dead or something.”

“Marsh, are you currently alone in an empty parking lot?” There’s a gravelly tone to his voice that causes another shiver to run down my back.

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