Page 71 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
“Because I was afraid my best friend was a cheater. I mean, what does that say about me?”
Yep, still dodging the feelings, hardcore.
“You’re lying, Ivy,” he said softly.
I threw the covers off my head and popped up. “How do you know?”
Jack sat up straight, and even in the dark, I could see that his eyes were sparking and ready for this battle of wills.
“Because I know you. And I know you wouldn’t even contemplate leaving Muse and Mane and becoming my personal stylist if you didn’t have feelings for me.”
I hadn’t exactly told him I was contemplating it. But I hadn’t outright told him no, which was saying something.
“Of course I have feelings for you. You’re my best friend.”
“Ivy, why do you have to be so damn stubborn about this? Why can’t you just face the truth?”
“What truth?” I snapped, the feelings simmering at the surface, begging to be unleashed, no matter how much I wanted to keep them inside. “The truth about how you’ve been lying to me for the last seven years about how you really feel? Or that we walked through doors we probably shouldn’t have? Or that it feels like you tricked me into a fake relationship? Or how about that I’m a laughingstock all over the world right now? Take your pick, Mr. Holiday.”
“Don’t call me that, Ivy. That’s not who I am to you.”
Guilt washed over me like a tsunami. It was just easier for me right now to think of him that way. It hurt less. I didn’t have deep feelings for Mr. Holiday—just for Jack.
Jack grabbed my hand and refused to let go. Not that I put up much opposition to it—my tug was feeble at best. Emotionally and physically, I was spent.
He brushed his thumb across my skin, coaxing my feelings out.
But I still had a little fight left in me. I closed my eyes in a last-ditch effort to hide from them.
“Ivy,” he whispered. “First of all, I’m sorry about the Sienna situation. I should have just run the other way when I saw her. It was a rookie mistake. But I swear I’ll fix it.”
“How?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m still working it out. Right now, my focus is fixing things with you. I love you.”
I stopped breathing for a moment, letting those three huge words hang between us. I slowly pulled my eyes open.
Jack was ready and waiting for me.
I wished I were ready.
“I think maybe you’re just confused. All this pretending opened new doors that should have stayed closed.”
“The only thing I’m confused about is why you’re continuing to avoid this. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Period.”
“Then why didn’t you say something seven years ago?” I whined. “Or maybe even before you talked me into being your fake girlfriend?”
Jack cradled my hand between his own. “Because even now, when I’m trying to tell you the truth, you don’t want to hear it. Why?”
I bit my lip, feeling my insides knotting.
“Because we were supposed to stay friends,” I whispered. “Friends are safe. Friends don’t get followed by paparazzi or attacked by influencers or . . . trashed online by people like Sienna.”
Jack took a moment to think before he responded, but I could practically hear the wheels spinning in his head. “You want me to leave the limelight and quit? Done. And as far as us being safe, there are no guarantees in life. But I don’t want to miss out on what I know would be the best relationship of our lives because we’re afraid it might end.”
I stilled, stunned by what he was willing to give up for me.
“Ivy,” he breathed out, low and sure. “I want to wake up to you every morning in our bed. Even if it’s a bunk bed.”
