Page 31 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
IsmiledatJackperusing the chic clothing boutique before we had to meet my family at the outdoor skating rink in the town square. Ice-skating six days before Christmas was a Wells family tradition. Did I know why? Not at all, but I didn’t question it.
However, Jack was probably questioning his life choices right about now as he looked anything but chic in his white embroidered reindeer Christmas sweater. There was no savingJack from the Wells family Christmas madness. At least he was doing a good job of pretending he didn’t mind all the insanity. I was just glad that he had finally admitted I was right about men and women being friends—even if we couldn’t act like friends at the moment.
It gave me hope that soon things could get back to normal with us and that our friendship was safe, even though we were sleeping together. Like, actually sleeping.
I had to say, Jack was a great snuggle buddy. He knew how to be the big spoon perfectly, he didn’t have disgusting morning breath, and he didn’t snore.
Jack held up a blue and white porcelain silk scarf, holding it away from himself like it might bite him. He was more of a buy-a-gift-card-or-hand-over-cash kind of guy.
“Do you think your mom would like this?”
“I think so.”
Truth be told, she loved anything anyone got her. She’d happily cried over mismatched socks once.
“But don’t feel any pressure to buy gifts. I know it’s not your thing. And you’ve seen under the tree. No one is going without.”
It looked like it held Santa’s stash beneath it.
“I don’t want to look like a Grinch.”
“You won’t. I promise.”
“I’ll keep looking.” He set down the scarf. “By the way, what would you like for Christmas?”
“Oh, your admission last night that I was right was presentenough for me.”
As was the way he’d helped me feel better about Sienna’s stupid antics—early that morning as I’d lain in his arms. He’d reminded me that I was stronger than her. And I didn’t want to ruin the holidays by thinking about her the entire time, even if she and Jack’s fans were making digs about me online.
I was trying to focus on all the regular girls who were cheering me on. You know, the girls whom I was giving false hope to. Those poor dears.
Judging by his curled lip, my response didn’t thrill him. Believe me, his admission the night before had shocked me. But it was obvious he believed it. After seven years, he’d never given any inkling of wanting more than friendship with me—the last couple of days excluded. But that was just an act. I mean, we’d slept in the same bed, and he didn’t even try anything. Although my family all thought we had quite a healthy love life, no matter how much I tried to explain the squeaking and that I was sleeping on the top bunk. Stupid bed.
Either way, his admission had helped remind me that we were friends. Period. All the weird feelings I’d been having would probably pass. I would for sure never act on them. No way would I ever throw myself at him, especially knowing how he felt.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused by his sour look.
“You’re not being very helpful.”
“Sorry. Just get me a gift card like you do for my birthday.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose like I was missing something obvious. What could that be? I didn’t get to ask because a familiar face walked into the store.
Eden Russo. My brother’s ex-girlfriend. My should-have-been, could-have-been, sister-in-law. She was with her soon-to-be sister-in-law, if I remembered correctly from some of her Instagram posts.
Eden caught my eye, and I waved enthusiastically. She lit up, heading straight toward me—rosy-cheeked from the cold, wrapped in a camel-colored wool coat, her dark hair peeking out in loose strands from the folds of a chunky knit scarf.
As soon as she reached me, she threw her arms around me. The chill still clung to her coat, but her embrace was warm.
“Oh, my goodness, Ivy. Look at you. You’re all grown up and so beautiful.”
The last time I’d seen her, I was probably around sixteen. Seriously, I loved her. Shane was an idiot to ever let her go.
“Hello, Eden.” I squeezed her back. “You’re as beautiful as ever.”
She kissed my cheek, then let go, shaking out her arms like she was still thawing from outside. “You’re too kind.”
“I’m only telling the truth.”
