Page 38 of The Parent Pick-Up
Ivy winces. “She’s wrong. I’m staying.”
I chew thoughtfully, studying her face. “But what about all those reporters? Don’t you need to hide?”
Her mouth thins. “I’m done hiding. Axel worked out a deal. I agreed to one appearance with my old bandmates just to buy some peace and quiet.”
I blink. “You’re not leaving?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Starlight Bay’s home now.”
“It is?”
She nods. “Olivia loves it here.Ilove it here.”
I take a risk and reach across the table for her hand. She drops the mangled breadstick and clasps my fingers like a lifeline.
“I’d really like it if you and Hannah came as my guests. I mean, if you want. There’s a VIP section, and Hannah can meet the other girls in the band, and I figured maybe you could see the whole crazy part of my life. The part I don’t usually let people see.”
I see her. All of her.
“You know why I came over at the crack of dawn this morning,” I say.
“Why?”
“To tell you how I feel about you.”
“And how’s that?” She leans forward, her hood falling back from her hair.
My heart hammers so loudly, I can barely hear my own thoughts. But I go for it. “I’m falling in love with you.”
“Owen?”
Her breathy voice sends a thrill down my spine. “Yes?”
To my surprise, she leans back and takes a bite of the garlic knot, chews quickly and swallows. “Can you kiss me now?”
Something cracks inside me—relief so sharp it’s almost painful.
I lean forward and take her mouth, kissing her right there for everyone in The Pizza Peel and all of Starlight Bay to see.
Chapter Fifteen
Ivy
I haven’t performedon a stage like this in years.
The lights are blinding, and the bass thumps so hard, it rattles my ribcage. My heart races and my throat goes dry.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I say quietly.
Owen is right beside me. “You’re Ivy Ice,” he says in my ear. “You can do anything.”
“I’m not Ivy Ice anymore.” My blood chills at the thought of performing like I had years ago.
“You’re even better.” Owen kisses my cheek. “Go give ‘em hell.”
“Yeah, Mom!” Olivia cheers. “Give ‘em hell!”
Owen gives Olivia a sharp look. “Language, Miss Ickerson.”
