Page 76 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
We both chuckled but quickly stopped and resumed our serious demeanors.
“But there’s a media circus outside of your property, and Ivy . . . well . . . I’m not sure she feels the way I do.” I hatedto admit that, but she obviously wanted to hold on to our friendship and either didn’t want more or was too afraid to even consider it.
Bradford scrubbed a hand over his salt-and-pepper scruff.
“Jack, Ivy’s like her old man. She’s stubborn, and she doesn’t do well with change. And sometimes we have a tendency not to see what’s right in front of us. But one thing is certain—she loves you. Jaquelyn and I have always thought it was just a matter of time before the two of you finally figured out your friendship was something more.”
I wanted to believe him. Every word. Not only that Ivy loved me, but that I could still be part of their family. That maybe I’d finally have my first real Christmas. But it seemed too good to be true, especially after everything I’d done.
“I don’t want to hurt her any more than I already have.”
“You think leaving won’t hurt her? Son, you have to stay and work this out. That’s what good couples do.” He patted my leg.
A lump rose in my throat. Bradford had no idea how much his words meant to me. How much it meant that he hadn’t written me off like my old man.
“Thank you.” It was all I could think to say.
“You’re welcome. Now, go talk to my daughter. And if you could, try to get rid of the cameras outside.”
I nodded and stood.
Bradford stood as well. While he wasn’t taller than me, he seemed to tower over me.
“And Jack, I don’t care how ‘with the times’ Jaquelyn thinks we are—I’m not exactly comfortable with you sharing a room with Ivy, so keep that in mind.”
“Got it,” I coughed out.
Bradford gripped my shoulder. “Good man.”
That was all I ever wanted to be.
I looked down at the gift in my hand. And I knew what I had to do.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Love is friendship that has caught fire.”
Ann Landers
Ivy
Iblinkedmyeyesopen, groggy after sleeping—for how long, I had no idea. When they came into focus, all I could see was Jack’s handsome face lying right next to mine. His hat of shame was askew. Mom had given me permission to take mine off for the time being.
“Jack, what are you doing? My parents banned us from sleeping together.”
“Your parents gave me a temporary pardon, at least for a couple of hours. Well, more your mom than your dad.”
“Really? How long have I been asleep? Days?”
Jack chuckled. “Just a few hours. Long enough for me to miss you. How are you feeling?”
I thought about it. “Better. I think I just needed some sleep. And my mom confiscated my phone, so I couldn’t scroll endlessly through stories about you and me.”
It had really been messing with my head.
Jack ran a finger down my cheek. “They don’t know the real story.Ourstory.”
I held my breath. It was time to face the “real” story. No more running from my feelings or the truth.
