Page 63 of Playing for Keeps
He’s putting on quite a show, and I have to remind myself it’s just that; a performance. Even though it’s felt like something’s changed between us lately, I can’t let myself believe it’s anything more. He isn’t going to be interested in someone like me. Any feelings I think I’m picking up on are probably just a side effect of spending so much time together. Once this weekend’s over, everything will go back to normal.
“We should head inside,” Wyatt says to the photographers with a friendly nod. “I’m sure you’ll still be here when we’re done.”
They laugh, and he slips his hand into mine again, leading me through the crowd and into the hotel lobby.
“You doing okay?” he asks once we’re inside, stopping in front of me.
I nod. “You make it look so effortless.”
He smiles. “Years of practice. Trust me, Ivy, I’m not any more comfortable around them than you are.”
“You’re here!” a voice calls out before I can reply.
Wyatt sighs. “Cleo,” he mutters under his breath, making a face.
I smirk. “Ready to act like we’re madly in love?”
Wyatt pauses for half a second, just long enough to notice. His eyes flick to mine, and something shifts in them, like the words caught him off guard.
He leans down, his breath warm on my ear. “It’s going to be Oscar-worthy, Ivy,” he says, and I can’t help but wonder if the acting’s already happening.
Before I can answer, Cleo appears behind us, and just like that, the moment slips away.
Cleo doesn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, she leans in and presses a kiss to Wyatt’s cheek like I’m not standing right there.
“You remember Ivy,” Wyatt says, looking down at me with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
“Of course,” Cleo replies, her tone sugary and fake. “Nice to see you again, Ivy.”
“You too, Cleo,” I reply politely.
She turns her full attention back to Wyatt. “There’s a rep from the charity here. Margot. I think you met her at the Miami event? She’ll want some photos of you both for the website. She’ll find you in between greeting the other auction winners.”
Wyatt nods.
“Can I grab you for a minute?” Cleo says, tilting her head toward the far end of the lobby and not bothering to wait for his answer before walking off.
Wyatt groans. “Damn it. Sorry, Ivy. I’ll be quick, I promise,” he says, irritation clearly creeping into his voice.
“It’s fine. Go talk to her.”
He lets go of my hand and crosses the room after her. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but from Wyatt’s body language, he’s not happy. I’ve only met Cleo twice, but she always seems… tense. Cold, even. I don’t know what her issue is, but it’s not subtle.
A minute later, Wyatt’s striding back toward me, his expression stormy. The moment our eyes meet, it softens.
He slides his arm around my waist and offers a smile. “Ready?”
“Everything okay with Cleo?”
“It’s fine,” he says quickly.
I meet his gaze, but it’s clear he doesn’t want to talk about it. My gut tells me it was about me. She’s made it obvious she doesn’t like me, and maybe it’s because she thinks I’m the reason Wyatt won’t agree to that reality show, but from what I’ve seen so far, Cleo doesn’t seem concerned about what Wyatt wants, just what’s good for her bank balance.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Wyatt
Ikeep Ivy’s hand firmly in mine as we make our way through the Fairmont’s lobby toward the hotel restaurant. I try to push Cleo’s words out of my head, but they keep circling back, fueling my frustration. Her attitude lately has been pushing the limits, and tonight, she might have finally pushed too far. Telling me that being with Ivy isn’t a good look for my image? That might be the last damn straw. I’m seriously close to cutting her loose.
