Page 64 of Playing for Keeps
“You’ve tensed up, Wyatt. Are you sure everything’s okay?” Ivy asks, her free hand resting on my arm.
I let out a slow breath. “Cleo said something that got under my skin, that’s all.”
“What did she say?”
I glance down at her, and the light from the chandeliers overhead catches the diamond at her throat, making it sparkle. My eyes stay fixed there, and a smile tugs at my lips.
“You’re wearing the necklace.”
Her fingers graze over it as she laughs. “You’re only just noticing?”
I grin, a little sheepishly. “I was a bit distracted by the dress.” Her cheeks flush, and my smile deepens. “I meant what I said earlier. You look amazing, Ivy.”
The pink in her cheeks deepens. “Thank you.”
God, I want to kiss her, and I could. We are pretending, after all, but our first kiss shouldn’t be when we’re faking it, no matter how desperate I am to feel her lips on mine. Still, if this act is all I ever get with her, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold back.
“Come on, birthday girl. I’m pretty sure there’s a bottle of champagne with your name on it.”
Once we’re settled at our table and have placed our order, I reach across and lace my fingers through hers. She looks a little surprised, but she doesn’t pull away. If this night is all I get, I’m going to savor every second of it.
“Have you had a good birthday?” I ask, knowing this probably isn’t how she would’ve chosen to spend her day. I’m guessing she’d have planned something with her parents, or Ash, or maybe both.
She flashes a wide grin. “It’s been the best day, Wyatt. Thank you.”
I smile back. “Good. What was your favorite part?”
“That’s easy,” she says without missing a beat. “Watching you with Luca at the stadium. The way he looked at you, it was like you hung the moon. You’re his hero.”
I laugh. “I don’t know about that. I doubt I was even in his top five favorite players before today.”
“You can’t be sure of that. He left with your jersey.”
“True,” I admit, chuckling. “Although most kids are all about the quarterback. Even Ben, apparently.”
She giggles, and the sound makes my heart skip a beat. “Can’t win them all,” she teases.
I hold her gaze. I don’t care how I’m seen on the field, or off it, but I care what she thinks. I’m not sure how she sees me. Probably just as her best friend’s brother, maybe a friend, if I’m lucky. But I wish she saw more. I wish I had the courage to show her what she’s starting to mean to me.
Maybe that’s what makes this so hard. We’ve known each other too long. If she were a stranger and things went south, I could walk away. But with Ivy it wouldn’t be simple. She’s woven into all of our lives. If I take the risk and lose, I don’t just lose Ivy, I risk everything that comes with her.
She squeezes my hand, pulling me back to the moment. “You okay? You’ve gone quiet,” she asks, her voice threaded with concern.
I offer a faint smile. “Yeah, sorry. Just thinking.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I smile again, this time more genuinely. This is exactly why she’s so special. “I’m all right. Really.”
Before she can push, a server appears with a bottle of champagne, pouring us each a glass before placing it on ice beside the table.
“Don’t let me drink too much of this,” Ivy says, lifting her glass and taking a sip. “I’d rather not be too drunk tonight.”
I grin. “Why? Got big plans that require a clear head?”
She leans in slightly, and my pulse kicks up. “Not clear, just not wasted,” she says with a soft laugh. “We’re supposed to be faking a relationship. I don’t want to forget it’s all pretend.”
My eyes widen, and my mouth parts before I can stop it. She must notice, because she waves her hand, laughing.
