Page 62 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
The second his mouth moved against mine, slow and sure, I felt his kiss everywhere.
Heat curled low in my stomach, a slow, dizzy unraveling. His hands anchored me, one at my waist, one splayed against my back, pulling me closer, holding me steady.
And then—his kiss deepened.
The world blurred.
Thoughts scattered.
Everything I thought I knew came into question. But none of those questions were answered.
“Cami’s here.” My dad’s words thundered through the cavernous kitchen.
Jack and I broke apart like we’d been caught doing something we shouldn’t have. Maybe we had.
Wild-eyed, heart relentlessly pounding, I stared at Jack, wondering what had just happened.
“You all right, honey?” Dad asked.
I wasn’t sure if I was, but what was I going to say? How could I be all right when I was pretty sure I’d just made out with my best friend? This was not a drill. This was the real thing.
“Yes, of course. I need to go change my clothes.”
And maybe rethink all my life choices.
“I’ll go with you,” Jack was quick to say.
That was a good idea. We definitely needed to talk. Lots of talking.
Dad nixed that. “Actually, I need your help, Jack.”
I wondered if my behavior was worrying him. Or if he was just over the PDA.
Jack wouldn’t and couldn’t refuse. “I’d be happy to.” But before he left with my dad to do who knows what, he kissed my cheek and whispered, “See you in a minute.”
I nodded numbly, my pulse in shambles, not sure if I remembered how to breathe properly.
What had we just done?
Whatever it was, it wasn’t safe. Not safe at all.
Chapter Twenty
“Eros will have naked bodies; friendship naked personalities.”
C. S. Lewis
Jack
Cami,thephotographer,triedto forcefully remove me from Ivy’s side like I was just another prop in the Wells family photos. But I refused to move. Hadn’t she just moments ago asked me to pose in a selfie with her so she could show it to hernieces and nephews?
“Boyfriends stand at the end,” she said, pointing near Tyler. “Easier to crop out later. You know, in case of breakups.”
“These two aren’t going to break up,” Jaquelyn sang.
Ivy tensed next to me.
“That’s what they all say.” With more force, Cami pointed to where she wanted me.
