Page 73 of Playing for Keeps
I wake up the next morning having slept better than I expected. Maybe because Ivy was in my arms last night, or maybe because my dreams were filled with her, and, for once, I didn’t mind staying asleep. Either way, I’m eager to get up and see if she’s awake.
I roll over and reach for my phone on the nightstand, surprised to see it’s just after ten. I slept longer than I thought. A few notifications flash across the screen, two from Ash and one from Seb.
I open Ash’s messages first, and my eyes widen as the screen fills with a photo. It’s me and Ivy on the dance floor at The Velvet Club. My arms are around her waist, her hands looped behind my neck. Our bodies are pressed so close it’s like we were the only two people in the room. From the angle, it almost looks like we’re kissing. The photo’s a little blurry, clearly taken from a distance, but there’s no mistaking it’s us. I had no clue anyone was taking pictures, but someone did, and now it’s out there, floating around on social media for everyone to see.
I stare at it longer than I should. Ivy looks incredible, and I know now this is out there, everyone is going to have questions, her family and mine, but all I can think about is how badly I want to hold her like that again.
Ash’s next message is text, and I sigh as I read it.
Ash:This looks more than pretending for your publicist! What’s going on with you two? I love you, but please don’t hurt her.
I frown, guilt knotting in my stomach. Hurting Ivy is the last thing I’d ever want to do. But I can’t blame Ash for asking. It does look like more than pretending, because it is. At least for me. The line between what’s fake and what’s real didn’t just blur somewhere along the way… it’s been blurry from the start.
I don’t reply to Ash. Not yet. What would I even say?
Instead, I click on Seb’s message.
Seb:So… you told her how you felt then?
I let out a long breath and sink back into the pillows, my phone resting on my chest. Everyone seems to be asking the same question, and maybe it’s time I stop avoiding it and start being honest with myself.
I should text them both back and explain what’s going on, but I want to stay in this bubble a little longer. The one where it’s just me and Ivy, even if I’m the only one who feels like it’s something more. I turn my phone off, toss it onto the bed, and push the thought aside.
After a quick stop in the bathroom to brush my teeth, I head to the kitchen, wondering if Ivy’s up yet. I don’t have to wonder for long.
She’s sitting at the breakfast bar, still wearing my jersey, her laptop open in front of her. She hasn’t noticed me yet, and I pause, taking in the sight.
Black-rimmed glasses, something I’ve never seen her wear before, perch on her nose as she stares intently at the screen. One knee is tucked up, her foot resting on the edge of the stool,her posture relaxed but focused. Her hair is in a messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face, and she looks so effortlessly beautiful that it knocks the air from my lungs.
She looked incredible last night in that dress, but this, fresh-faced and lost in her own thoughts, this version of Ivy might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Hey, you’re awake,” she says, glancing up and meeting my eyes. “I was just catching up on some work.”
I smile, stepping into the kitchen and switching on the coffee machine. “Did you sleep okay?”
“I did,”she says, then hesitates, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip.“How did I end up in bed?”
I meet her gaze. “You fell asleep during the movie. I didn’t want to wake you, so I carried you.”
Her voice softens.“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
I turn to the cupboard, grab two mugs, and pour the coffee.
“Have you eaten yet?”I ask, sliding one of the steaming cups across the counter to her.
“Not yet. I can make us something,”she offers, cradling the mug in both hands and blowing lightly on the surface.
“We could go out,”I suggest.“There’s a great spot not far from here.”
She wrinkles her nose and pushes her glasses up to rest on her head.“Would you mind if we didn’t? There are pictures of us everywhere. My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing.”
I exhale.“Shit. I’m sorry, Ivy. I know this isn’t what you signed up for.”
She gives a small shrug.“It’s okay. It was my idea, remember? I just don’t feel like getting photographed again today. Did you see the one of us dancing at the club?”
“Yeah,”I mutter, running a hand through my hair.“I saw it. I didn’t even realize anyone was taking pictures. I’m really sorry.”
