Page 95 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
Drew clapped me on the back. “For the love, just make sure no pictures of you and our sister in any compromising beach positions surface.”
Shane shuddered for effect.
“Okay, thank you.” Ivy cringed, face flushed.
On that charming note, we headed for the car with Ivy’s entire family walking us out. The amount of hugging and kissing cheeks that followed was both heartwarming and claustrophobic for me. But I appreciated it all the same.
I’d been inducted into the Wells family. And I did my uncle duty by slipping cash to every kid. If I was going to be an uncle, I was going to be the favorite one.
By the time we got in the car and were pulling out of the drive, Ivy was sniffling in the passenger seat.
“Goodbyes are always hard.”
I took her hand in mine, gently holding it as she waved goodbye with her free hand until her family was no longer visible.
“Are you sure you’re okay leaving early?”
She flashed me a bright smile, tears shining in her eyes.
“Yes. I’m totally excited,” she stammered out, just short of a sob.
I winced, feeling like a monster. “You don’t sound all that excited.”
“Really, I am.” She sniffed. “I do this every time I leave my family and Aspen Lake.”
“Duly noted.” I grinned.
I stopped at the edge of the property line, noting the photographers waiting for us. “Are you ready for the chase?”
She squeezed my hand tight, bracing herself. “Let’s do it. This isourlife now.”
“I like the sound of that.Our life.”
She raised my hand and kissed it.
I eased us down the driveway, steering through the crowd—voices rising, cameras flashing, questions flying:
“Mr. Holiday, what’s your next project?”
“How will you and Ivy be spending the rest of your vacation?”
“Have you heard from Sienna?”
“Are there wedding bells in your future?”
Ivy craned her neck to glance behind us.
Of course, they were following.
She let out a breath that sounded halfway between a sigh and a scoff. “Wow,” she muttered. “Two days ago, they were asking if we’d broken up.”
“They’re all nosy pricks,” Igrowled.
Now that Ivy and I were together, I found the intrusive questions more annoying. I wished I could shield Ivy from this part of my life, but unfortunately, it was impossible.
Ivy turned around, eyes on me, and deliberately relaxed.
I loved her for it.
