Page 102 of Playing for Keeps
“So… what was Ash asking earlier? I couldn’t help overhearing you say we hadn’t talked about something.”
She rolls her eyes. “You know what she’s like, already getting ahead of herself. She wanted to know if we were official. I told her we hadn’t talked about it yet.”
I set my fork down and look at her. “But we are, right? I mean… I want you to be my girlfriend, Ivy.”
Her eyes widen, then light up. “You do?”
“Of course I do,” I say. I pause for a second. “Unless you don’t want that?”
“No! I do. I really do!” she says quickly. “I just… I didn’t know if we were there yet, or if we were supposed tosayit, or…” She trails off, flustered. “See? I told you I have no idea what I’m doing.”
I reach across the counter and take her hand. “You’re perfect, Ivy.Andyou’re mine. So next time Ash asks, tell her you’ve got a boyfriend. Hell, telleveryone.”
She laughs. “I think most people already know.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I grin. “But that was all pretend, no matter how much I wanted it to be more. This?” I lift our joined hands. “This is the real thing. And I want to shout it from the rooftops.”
“You’re crazy.” She giggles.
“Crazy for you.”
Her smile deepens, and I can’t stop staring at her. “So… will you come to Nash and Paisley’s non-rehearsal dinner with me on Friday?”
They didn’t want a formal rehearsal dinner, so Dad and Cade are manning the grill in the backyard while everyone hangs out.
She smiles. “You know I’ll be there anyway. I’m one of Paisley’s bridesmaids.”
“I know, but I want us to go together. I want to introduce you to my parents.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Wyatt, I’ve known your parents since I was six.”
I grin. “Yeah, but they’ve never metmy girlfriend.”
She bites her lip, her eyes shining. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing you call me that.”
“And I’ll never tire of saying it. So, we can go together?”
She nods. “Yeah, we can go together.”
There’s a pause, then her expression falters slightly. “What do you think your parents will say?”
“They love you, Ivy. They’re going to be happy for us.”
“You really think so?”
I nod. “They already know how I feel about you.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Wait, what? How would they know that?”
“They saw the pictures online, same as everyone else. I tried to play it off and say it was all part of the act, but my mom didn’t buy it for a second.”
She lets out a soft laugh. “Yeah, there’s no fooling Mama Brookes.”
“Nope. She sees everything. Her asking you to dinner Tuesday night, and then not so subtly disappearing to Eden and leaving us alone... she was trying to get me to tell you how I felt.”
She laughs. “I did wonder what all that was about. Your dad had no idea he was going to Eden.”
I grin. “He’s used to her crazy.” I kiss her softly on the head. “We should eat. I can’t wait to lie in bed with you in my arms.”
