Page 26 of Playing for Keeps
Her face lights up. “Perfect. That gives me a lot more to work with.”
I grin, caught up in her enthusiasm. “Let me grab us another round. We can keep planning.”
As I head to the bar, I know without a doubt that asking Ivy to help with this was the right call. It’s obvious how much she cares, and not just about making a sale, but about finding the right fit for me. And maybe that’s why I’m already more excited about this than I expected. Not because I’m finally buying a place where I love... but because I get to do it with her.
Yeah. I’m in trouble. Big trouble.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ivy
“Holy crap,” I breathe as I lean back into the booth, my eyes tracking Wyatt as he threads his way through the crowd toward the bar. I still can’t believe he wants me to handle the sale of his Phoenix apartment. The commission from that alone will be more than I made all of last year, never mind what I’ll earn from whatever he ends up buying in Hope Creek.
But honestly, the money’s just a bonus. What really lights me up is helping someone find the place they’ll call home. That moment when everything clicks and they just know. It’s why I love what I do. The fact that I get to help Wyatt find his forever home means more to me than I can explain.
Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. But I’m ready. Nervous or not, I’m going to smash this, and I’m going to find him something amazing back here too.
When Wyatt returns, I spot the champagne flutes in his hands and raise a brow. “What’s all this?”
“We’re celebrating,” he says with a grin. “Figured a little bubbly was in order. Paisley’s bringing the bottle over now.”
I laugh. “You know, I could definitely get used to this. That’s twice now you’ve shown up with champagne.”
He chuckles. “Something tells me there’ll be more at the charity dinner.”
I grin. “Looking forward to it. Actually, I wanted to ask... how dressy is this place we’re going to?”
Wyatt pulls a face. “It’s back at the Fairmont, so yeah, it’s dressy. Sorry.”
I wave him off. “Don’t be. I figured as much. I’ll just raid Ash’s closet,” I say with a laugh, knowing I already wore the only formal outfit I own to the charity auction.
“Hey, about the weekend,” Wyatt says, sounding a little unsure. “If you’re free, I was thinking we could head to Phoenix on the Friday. You could get everything you need for the listing, and that way we can do something for your birthday on the Saturday.”
My eyes widen, and I groan. “My birthday? Ash has a big mouth.”
He chuckles. “Actually, it was my mom who told me. But why didn’t you mention it?”
I shrug, avoiding his gaze. “It’s not a big deal. Just another day.”
“Ivy, look at me.”
I sigh and meet his eyes.
“Itisa big deal. You’re giving up your birthday weekend to help me out. The least I can do is make sure it feels special.”
“You really don’t have to,” I say.
“I want to,” he replies firmly. “Let me do this?”
I blow out a breath and nod. “Okay, if you insist.”
He grins. “I do. So, the Friday works?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m free.”
“Perfect.”
“Champagne delivery!” Paisley announces, appearing at our table with a bottle in one hand and an ice bucket in the other.
