Page 61 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
Poppy and I chatted happily for the next hour while I dolled her up. I learned all about Diego, Liam, Esteban, and Harrison. Apparently, my niece and Sophie were boy crazy. And fifth grade sounded dramatic, like an episode of90210, but with glitter gel pens and designer backpacks.
When Poppy looked like a princess, she jetted off to get changed. That left me with Jack, who was once again staring intently at his phone. It started to make me nervous. Had the online trolls converged once again?
“Everything okay? Any more posts about how I’m an elf that probably needs to stay on your shelf?” I rolled my eyes, thinking about some influencer’s post earlier in the day. Her hashtag was#pickmeinsteadmrholiday.
Jack startled, stood, and shoved his phone in his pocket.
“Everything is fine, darlin’. And don’t listen to the trolls. They don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. They’re just jealous of you.”
I looked down at my smock. I was a hot mess after doing hair all day. “Yeah, all the girls wish they could be me.”
Jack sauntered my way and reached for my hand. “They would be so lucky.”
I gave him my hand and let him reel me in, like I wasn’t causing a personal crisis. Seriously, I had issues. Skanky, friend-cheating issues. I had thought that maybe Cami could help me, but I was cheating on myself, not a partner. But there was just something so comforting about being in Jack’s arms. He made me forget for a moment that there were people all over the world hating my guts right now.
Let them hate,I thought as my head fell onto his chest and I breathed in his musky scent. There, I felt safe and warm.
Jack said nothing for several beats, just stroked my hair, knowing exactly what I needed.
But then . . . he hit me with a one-two punch.
“Ivy, I’ve been thinking.”
He paused.
The pause made my heart stop.
Was he ready for the charade to end? Did he want to break up with me? He knew. He knew I was falling, and he was saving us. This was good. So good. No more kissing. No more pretending that we were anything but best friends.
“Is it time to break up?” I whispered, hoping no one was nearby. No need to dampen anyone’s spirits. My family clearlythought he belonged with us. I was starting to think so too. You know, in a very friendly way.
“No,” he said adamantly. “Actually . . .”
Another pause.
I leaned away just enough for us to lock eyes.
With our gazes on each other, he relaxed and smiled. “As I watched you style your family today, I was thinking you could be my personal hair and makeup stylist.”
I giggled, thinking of myself on set with him. Living the Hollywood life. “You’re joking, right?”
“Ivy,” he said my name tenderly. “This is a serious offer. I’m tired of our long separations when I’m on location, and there’s no better stylist than you.”
My brain went fuzzy. He was serious about this? “What about Muse and Mane and all my clients?”
Not that I was considering his offer. Well, maybe I was entertaining it a little, even though it was insane. Jack and I together all the time. That would be dangerous to my heart. To our friendship.
And I wouldn’t just be with Jack. I would be working for Mr. Holiday. Sure, I liked that guy a lot, but his world was already trying to swallow me whole and then spit me out.
Jack’s hand skimmed down my cheek, soft but deliberate, his gaze tender yet heated.
“They’ll be there waiting for you,” he murmured. “Please, Ivy. Just think about it.”
I barely had time to process the words because before I could respond, his lips found mine. And he wasn’t kissing hisfake girlfriend. He was kissing me—Ivy. His best friend. But it wasn’t a friendly kiss.
This didn’t feel like pretend.
It felt oh so real.
