Page 17 of Playing for Keeps
“I was starting to think you’d grown gills,” I tease.
She laughs, nudging her shoulder against mine. “Ha-ha. I would’ve stayed in longer, but you’re missing the essentials. No bath salts, no bubbles.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that a complaint about my facilities, Miss James?”
She smirks. “Just an observation. What kind of operation are you running here, Mr. Brookes?”
I chuckle. “Clearly not a five-star one.”
“All jokes aside, it was amazing. I’ve never taken a bath with a view like that before.”
“Glad it didn’t disappoint. You ready to head out?”
She nods. “Yep.”
We both rise to our feet.
“I should probably grab your number,” I say, trying to sound casual. “So, I can send you the details for the dinner.”
I’m not sure why I’m nervous. This isn’t a date, it’s just logistics. Still, my voice feels a little tighter than usual.
“Sure,” she replies, pulling out her phone.
I take it from her with a grin. “Actually, maybe I should giveyoumine. Just in case you were planning on giving me a fake number. I’d hate to end up ghosted like Ricky.”
Her cheeks flush, and I smile as I enter my number and give myself a quick call from her phone.
“All right,” I say, handing it back to her. “Let’s get out of here.”
As we step into the hallway, I catch Ivy eyeing the emergency stairwell. Before she can say a word, I reach over and slip my hand into hers, weaving our fingers together.
Her eyes flick to mine. “What are you doing?” she whispers.
I hesitate, then offer a small smile. “Holding your hand. It helped last time, didn’t it?”
She squeezes her eyes shut and gives a reluctant nod. “Damn you and your penthouse, Wyatt Brookes,” she mutters, gripping my hand tighter as the elevator dings and the doors slide open.
“I’ll get a ground-floor place next time. Promise,” I say, gently tugging her inside.
Her eyes widen as she steps in. “You’re selling your apartment?”
I press the button for the parking garage and hold her gaze. “I’ve been thinking about it. I want a place in Hope Creek.”
She frowns, her brow furrowed. “But won’t you still need somewhere here in Phoenix?”
“Yeah, I will. But I don’t need all this space, not really. I might just rent something smaller here and put all my energy into a proper home in Hope Creek. That’s where I want to be.” The elevator doors open, and I squeeze Ivy’s hand. “We’re here.”
She looks around in surprise. “I didn’t freak out.”
I smile. “No. You didn’t.”
We walk across the garage, stopping in front of her car.
“Well, this is me,” she says.
“Thanks again for saving my ass,” I tell her, stepping forward and brushing a kiss on her cheek.
“I had a great time.”
