Page 52 of A Very Merry Matchup
When I reach the middle of the park, I brush snow off a swing and take a seat. The rusty chains groan and creak beneath my weight as I push myself back and forth. I think it’s safe to say this seat was never intended for a grown man’s rear. I’m about to get up when I hear a voice behind me.
“Should we try doing the underdog?”
Sneaky girl. I twist around to find Ivy tromping through the snow toward the playground.
Her pink-tinged cheeks and soft smile make my heart leap higher than any swing possibly could. I face forward as she circles around the swing set until she’s standing right in front of me. “What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Following you.” She reaches for the chains next to my shoulders and steps in between my knees. “Figure I better get the hang of it.”
I tilt my head to the side. “What’s that mean?”
“It means I don’t want to set you up with the girl next door. She’s great. She’s beautiful. She’s sweet. But she’s not for you. I’m for you, Beau. Fall in love with me.”
I reach for the sides of Ivy’s coat that are still hanging open. Like maybe she was in such a rush to get to me, she didn’t even bother zipping it closed. I tug the bottom edges together and trail the zipper all the way up to her chest, then gently tug on the zipper so that she’s standing even closer to me. “Done.”
“Really?” Her hands drop to my shoulders. “I saw you two talking and hugging. I thought maybe you liked her.”
“We were smiling and hugging because I gave her my buddy Carson’s phone number. What can I say? You’ve inspired me. I figured I’d give my hand a try at this whole matchmaking thing. She was just saying thank you. C’mon, Ivy, you should know by now I’m already head over heels for you. That’s never going to change.”
“I feel the same way. Which is why I want you to keep playing baseball. We can figure things out. That is, if you want to figure things out.”
“With you? Absolutely. But are you sure? I don’t have to keep playing. We can come up with a new plan.”
Her hands move to my neck.Good night!Her fingers are freezing. She obviously didn’t have time to throw on her mittens either. That little gesture warms me as much as her next words. “If everything had gone according to plan, I would’ve missed out on so much this Christmas. I would’ve missed out on your family. My family. That Christmas Eve service. I would’ve missed out on you. The only plan I want to make here on out is to keep my eyes open for whatever God has planned for the both of us.”
I don’t even have to tug Ivy down on my lap. She’s already there. Pressing her lips against mine.Finally.A real kiss. One we can take our time enjoying.
And we do. Ivy’s clearly in no more rush than I am to move on from everything I’ve been craving since September. Her lips. Her jaw. Her cheek. Her lips again.
I’ll get back to that jaw and cheek again in a moment. Right now her soft lips taste way too good to move on. I may stay here until New Year’s. Hope Ivy’s okay with that.
Ivy murmurs and mews like she’s more than okay with that.
Unfortunately the swing is not okay with that.
If it was already groaning about my rear, probably should’ve guessed it wouldn’t be happy supporting tworears. The chain breaks, slamming Ivy and me to the snowy ground.
Oomph.Ivy gasps with a little laugh. “Did we just destroy public property?”
“Right now I’m more concerned about private property,” I say with an exaggerated groan.
Her eyes crinkle with laughter as she leans over on top of me. “Aww, are you hurt? Need me to find you a neck brace?”
“Hey. Didn’t I tell you before? Don’t underestimate what my lips can do even with my neck immobilized.”
“Yeah?” Ivy leans closer. “Show me what they can do.”
More than happy to oblige, I roll her over so her back is pressed against the snow and now I’m leaning over her, meshing our lips together.
Making out in the snow with Ivy West on Christmas Day. What matchmaker could’ve planned anything better than this?
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Faithful matchmakers who are dear to us gather near to us once more...
ONE YEAR LATER
Ivy
