Page 103 of The Dating Ban
“Alright, my queen,” I say, placing a spoon next to the bowl. “It is definitely time for bed.”
She pouts. “Daaaddddyyy!”Oh, I get the daddy with five Ds today.“But I wanna stay up with Ivy!”
Ivy steps into the kitchen just in time to hear Lucy’s dramatic plea. She raises an eyebrow at me, then looks down at Lu with a thoughtful tilt of her head.
“What if I read you a bedtime story?” Ivy offers, crouching slightly to be on Lucy’s level.
Lucy’s face lights up instantly. “Really?”
Ivy nods solemnly. “But only if you’re in bed within five minutes. No dawdling.”
Lucy gasps, clearly taking this as a challenge. “I promise!” she says, already half-turning toward the hallway.
I smirk as Ivy straightens up, shaking her head fondly. “Well played,” I mouth.
She flashes me a quick grin before following Lucy down the hall. And just like that, something shifts in my chest—something warm, something that makes me want to keep looking at her even when she’s already turned away.
I trail after them, leaning against the doorframe as Ivy tucks Lucy under her duvet. The little lamp by the bed casts a soft glow over the room, making the space feelsmaller, cozier. Lucy is practically vibrating with excitement, already holding out a book, but at the last second, she clutches it to her chest and looks up at Ivy with a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Wait,” she whispers. “Can you tell me what happened this afternoon first?”
Ivy presses a hand to her heart, feigning shock. “You mean my great survival adventure?”
Lucy giggles and nods rapidly.
I bite back a laugh, folding my arms as I listen.
“Well,” Ivy begins, sitting on the edge of the bed. “It all started when I bravely set up my tent. It was perfect—until the storm decided to test me.” She leans in, her voice conspiratorial. “Did you know that rain can attack?”
Lucy giggles, eyes wide. “It can?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Ivy says gravely. “One moment, I was dry and happy. The next? Drip, drip, drip—ambushed! I was practically swimming in there.”
Lucy bursts into laughter, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
“And then,” Ivy continues, “just when I thought I had things under control—bam! A giant, fearsome beast launched itself at me!”
Lucy gasps. “A bear?!”
“Worse.” Ivy pauses dramatically. “A spider.”
Lucy shrieks with laughter, kicking her legs under the duvet. My own grin slips out before I can stop it.
Ivy keeps going, describing her panicked reaction in exaggerated detail, complete with wild gestures and sound effects. I watch her, the way she completely loses herself in making Lucy laugh, how animated her face gets, how her eyes sparkle when she sees she has her full attention.
I feel that pull in my chest again, stronger this time.
I clear my throat, stepping inside. “Alright, bedtime comedian, that’s enough.”
Lucy whines, but I give her a look, and she sighs dramatically. Ivy just smirks at me over her shoulder, like she knows exactly what she’s done.
I flip off the lamp, letting the small nightlight take over. “Lights out, Queen Lucy. You can hear more stories in the morning.”
Lucy sighs but cuddles under her duvet. Ivy brushes a loose curl from her forehead before standing up.
As she walks past me, I catch the faintest scent of something—rain, warmth, something undeniably her. It lingers as she moves, and before I can stop myself, my fingers twitch at my side, like they have half a mind to reach for her.
I don’t.
