Page 37 of Unwrapped

As I step out of the car, I spot Ivy standing by the entrance, her face lighting up the moment she sees me. She’s practically buzzing with excitement.

“Hey,” I say, pulling her against me, planting a lingering kiss on her lips, one that leaves us both a touch breathless. “You look like you’re ready to burst.”

She laughs, stepping back to gesture at the building. “I can’t help it. I still can’t believe this is actually happening. Do you want to see the inside?”

“I’m dying to,” I say, following her as she unlocks the door and pushes it open.

The inside is a blank canvas—bare walls, an open floor plan, and plenty of natural light streaming in through the large windows. It’s not much right now, but I can see the vision forming in Ivy’s mind as she walks me through the space, pointing out where the display cases will go, where they’ll set up the kitchen, and how they’re going to design the seating area for customers.

“I can see it already, baby. It’s going to be amazing, Ivy.”

She turns to me, beaming. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” I reply, stepping closer to her. “You’ve got something special here. I’m just so honored you’re letting me be involved.”

She smiles, looking up at me with so much warmth that it makes my chest tighten. “Thank you, Asher. For everything.”

I lean down, kissing her softly. When we pull apart, I take a deep breath, knowing there’s one more thing I want to ask her.

“So,” I say, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “there’s that event I mentioned a while back. It’s in a few days, and I was wondering… would you still be up for coming with me? As my girlfriend.”

Her eyes widen for a moment, and then her face breaks into a wide grin. “Of course,” she says, her voice full of excitement. “I’d love to. Did you think I’d change my mind?”

“Not really but I also understand that this isn’t just a night at my place or yours; this is big-time. This is… official. Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?”

She nods, her expression confident. “I can handle it. I’ll be with you, right?”

I grin, pulling her into my arms. “Yeah, you will be.”

And with that, I know everything is falling into place. This thing between us—it’s real. And I’m determined to prove that to her not only with this event but for the rest of our lives.

Chapter 11

Ivy

The moment we walk into the grand ballroom at the Mercer building, I feel a surge of excitement ripple through me. The air is thick with the hum of conversation, the sound of gentle laughter, and the soft strains of classical music floating from the live band in the corner. Crystal chandeliers hang overhead, casting a warm, golden glow across the room, making everything and everyone look effortlessly elegant. It’s the kind of event people dream about being invited to, and here I am, standing next to Asher as his girlfriend.

I still can’t quite believe it. Only a week ago, I’d been nervous about where things were heading between us, and now I’m at this glamorous event by his side, and it feels… surreal. Asher is dressed in a sleek black tux, looking every bit the powerful CEO he is, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back as we step farther into the room. There’s something intoxicating and so sexy about being here with him, about beinghis.

“Ready?” he asks, leaning down slightly so I can hear him over the soft buzz of the crowd. His voice is low, comforting, and I can’t help but smile up at him, nodding.

“Definitely,” I say confidently, swallowing down that ever present fear that this is all happening way too fast, way too easy, that the other shoe is bound to drop.

He grins, his hand giving my waist a gentle squeeze. “Let’s make the rounds. I need to say hello to a few people, but I’ll make sure we grab some time for ourselves too, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, my heart fluttering at the thought. I know these events are a big deal for him—networking, talking to investors and clients—but I’m just happy to be here. Happy to be with him.

As we move through the crowd, I notice the way people’s heads turn when Asher approaches. He’s magnetic, and everyone in the room seems to know it. He’s immediately swept up in conversations—introductions, firm handshakes, and the occasional well-placed joke that has his companions laughing. I hang back slightly, trying not to feel too much like a fish out of water in this world of polished, high-energy elites.

I remind myself that this is his world, and I need to support him in it. This is what he does. He’s the kind of guy who owns rooms like this, who thrives being the center of attention, and I knew that coming into this. So, when a group of business executives pulls him into another conversation, I let go of his arm with a smile and nod, telling myself it’s okay. He’ll come back to me. We’ll have our moment.

But as the minutes tick by, those moments are few and far between. Every time Asher finishes talking to one group, someone else comes up to him, and I watch as he seamlessly navigates the room, switching from one conversation to another like it’s second nature. I get a smile here, a touch of his hand there, but before I can say anything to him, someone else is pulling him away.

I push down the small pang of disappointment in my chest and tell myself to get over it.

This is his night, his world. I’m just here to be by his side, and that’s enough.

I take a deep breath and wander toward the bar, grabbing a glass of champagne to busy my hands. The cold fizz of the drink gives me something to focus on as I scan the room, watching Asher as he works the crowd. His charm is undeniable, and I can see why everyone in this room wants a piece of him.

---