Page 10 of Playing for Keeps
I roll my eyes, but Ivy just grins and throws me a glance. “Wyatt and I are friends,” she says sweetly.
I smile back, a little longer than I should.
Ricky doesn’t miss a beat. “Well, if you two are just friends… maybe I could get your number? Take you out on a real date?”
Ivy’s cheeks go a little pink as she looks at me, and for a second, I think she might say no. I hold her gaze, trying to read her. Is she into this or just being polite?
But then she smiles and holds out her hand. “Sure, why not?”
I watch tight-lipped as she types her number into his phone. There’s no logical reason I should care, but I do. Hell,Idon’t even have her number.
She hands the phone back, and Ricky beams. “I’ll call you,” he says. “Enjoy your night.”
He turns to me, clearly smug. “Good seeing you, man. Catch you later.”
I don’t say anything as the guys walk off, leaving just the two of us again. Ricky’s a good guy, but he’s got a revolving doorwhen it comes to women. Always someone new hanging on his arm.
I don’t know Ivy that well, not really, but I can’t ever remember seeing her with a boyfriend. Not that I’m in Hope Creek often enough to know for sure. Still, she doesn’t strike me as the type who’s into flings or casual dates. And Ricky… well, he’s never been one to stick around past date two.
I reach for the champagne and quietly refill both of our glasses, trying to push the odd tension in my chest aside.
“Thank you,” she says, taking the glass from me and sipping slowly.
“Sorry about the guys,” I say after a beat. “They can be a bit much sometimes.”
She waves off the comment with a smirk. “They were fine. Pretty obvious they were trying to get under your skin, though.”
I raise a brow. “You think?”
She rolls her eyes. “Ricky asking for my number? Please. That was all about getting a reaction out of you.”
I hold her gaze, letting my eyes stay on her a little longer than I probably should. She has no idea how stunning she looks tonight, and something about that just makes her even more captivating.
“He’ll call you,” I say.
Her brows lift. “Seriously?”
I nod. “Without a doubt.”
She bites her lower lip. “Damn. I gave him a fake number.”
I laugh, not even bothering to hide the relief that washes over me. I could offer to fix it, but yeah… not gonna happen.
“He’ll survive,” I say with a shrug.
She giggles. “I’m sure he will. Besides, he’s not really my type.”
That piques my interest. I lean in slightly, grinning. “So, what is your type, Ivy? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with anyone.”
Her smile falters a bit, and she drops her gaze to the flute in her hands. I immediately regret asking.
“Hey,” I say, reaching across the table to brush my fingers against hers. “You don’t have to answer that. I wasn’t trying to pry.”
She shakes her head, forcing a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s okay,” she says quietly, moving her hand away from mine. “I guess I don’t have a type. I’ve never had a boyfriend.” She takes another sip, her shoulders lifting in a shrug. “Not something I’m proud of, but I’ve just never met someone that I clicked with. Hope Creek isn’t exactly overflowing with single guys. Maybe I should’ve given Ricky my real number after all.”
I frown, leaning back slightly. “You didn’t miss out. Ricky’s not the guy you call when you want something more than one night.”
“I’m not looking for anything, Wyatt. One night or otherwise. I’m not desperate,” she says, her voice a touch sharper now.
