Page 53 of Playing for Keeps
“Happy Birthday, Ivy!” she practically yells, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Thank you.”
“I hope my idiot brother made you breakfast. I still feel bad you’re there with him instead of here.”
“He made me pancakes,” I say, a little smile tugging at my lips. “He won’t let me lift a finger.”
“Seriously?” she says, clearly shocked. “I didn’t even know hecouldmake pancakes.”
I chuckle. “Apparently, he can. And they were really good.”
“Did he get you a gift?”
I pause, suddenly wondering if she already knows. Maybe he ran the idea by her. But somehow, I doubt it. I can’t imagine Ash suggesting a trip to Tiffany’s.
“I need to tell you something,” I say carefully. “But only if you promise, for the next few minutes, to forget that we’re talking about yourbrother.”
There’s silence on the other end. I pull the phone away to check the call hasn’t dropped. Still connected.
“Ash?” I prompt.
“I’m here,” she whispers, and I can hear the effort it’s taking her not to squeal. I’m grateful. I need my best friend right now, not Wyatt’s sister.
“So… Wyatt did get me a gift,” I say. “But he didn’t mention anything to you? He didn’t ask for advice?”
“Nope. Not a word,” she says quickly. “Why? What did he get you, Ivy?”
I blow out a breath, bracing myself. “A diamond necklace. From Tiffany.”
There’s a beat of silence, then a shriek. “What?! Holyshit.”
“It’s a lot, right? It’s not just me reading too much into this?”
“No, Ivy. That’s huge. That’s… wow.”
I fall back onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling, my thoughts spiraling.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, there have been moments, small at the time, but now they feel like something more. The way his eyes have lingered just a beat too long. That comment he made about me being more real than anyone he's ever met… and then calling himself out of my league. He’s held my hand more than once. Then there was the elevator, when I completely broke down and he didn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms.
And the Ferrari. He brought it home like it was nothing, but he knows it’s my favorite. That wasn’t a coincidence.
Still… this can’t mean anything more, can it? And if it does, if there’s even a hint of something there, why hasn’t he said anything?
“Ash, you didn’t tell him about my teenage crush, did you?” I ask quietly, the question slipping out before I can stop it. She’s always been desperate to play matchmaker; maybe it came up.
“No, Ivy. I would never do that to you,” she says firmly.
I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Maybe he’s just being kind. Maybe he’s just... grateful I’m helping him with the charity event. That’s probably all this is, right?”
“I mean… maybe,” she says slowly. “But has anything happened between you two? Even a little?”
I hesitate, and she latches on to it instantly.
“Oh my God, somethingdidhappen, didn’t it?” she says, her voice rising with excitement.
I shake my head quickly. “It’s barely anything,” I insist, then walk her through the lingering looks, the elevator breakdown, and all the small things that suddenly don’t feel so small.
“Ivy, are you kidding?” she exclaims. “Helikesyou. I’ve never seen Wyatt act like that with anyone. And the necklace? Comeon! I got a gift card for my birthday. Don’t get me wrong, Wyatt was generous, but it wasn’t Tiffany generous!”
