Page 54 of Playing for Keeps
I groan, the weight of last night’s plan crashing down on me. Suggesting we fake-date to get Cleo off his back felt like a simple fix. But if Ash is even halfway right, this is only going to blow up in my face.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, more gently now.
“His publicist is trying to rope him into some celebrity dating show.” I sigh. “And I may have blurted out that we were dating, thinking it would get her off his case. Turns out she’s going to be at the dinner tonight, so now we’ve got to pretend to be a couple.” I pause, rubbing my temple. “Pretending to be in a relationship suddenly feels… a lot more complicated.”
Ash sighs. “Yeah, I can see how that might get weird.
“Do you like him?”
I close my eyes, letting the silence stretch for a beat too long. “I don’t know,” I say quietly. “I can’t tell if I actually have feelings for him, or if I’m just caught up in the attention… in the idea that someone finally sees me.”
“Ivy,” she says, her voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine,” I lie, doing my best to keep my voice steady. I’ve probably got it completely wrong anyway, it wouldn’t be the first time. It’s not like I’m good at reading guys. He’s likely just being nice. That has to be what it is. “I should go. We’re heading out soon.”
“I know you’re thinking about what happened in college. This isn’t the same, Ivy. Don’t let that one bad experience ruin something good.”
I hesitate. “I’m trying, Ash,” I whisper. “I really should go.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m good, I promise. I’ll call you later.”
There’s a pause on the other end. “Okay… I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks, Ash. Talk soon.”
“Bye, Ivy.”
I end the call, fully aware that I haven’t convinced her for a second. I know she sees right through me. She knows I’ve been quietly hoping for something genuine. Something like everyone else seems to have. And no matter how much I told Wyatt I’m not desperate, sometimes it really does feel like I am. I don’t know if what I feel for him is real or if I’m just clinging to the first spark I’ve felt in a long time, especially when it’s coming from the one person I never thought I’d feel it with.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ivy
Istay quiet during the drive to the butterfly conservatory, and I know Wyatt’s picked up on it. Even though I’m staring out the windshield, I can feel his eyes flicking toward me, probably trying to figure out what’s going on. The truth is, I’m wondering the same thing. I thought talking to Ash would help clear my head, but if anything, I feel even more confused. The necklace Wyatt gave me completely threw me. I’m wearing it, how could I not? It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever owned. But it’s the meaning behind it, or the lack of clarity of it, that’s screwing with my head.
“We’re here,” Wyatt says as he eases the car into a parking spot and shuts off the engine. He turns to look at me. “You ready?”
I glance over and force a smile. I need to stop overthinking this. He’s planned something really thoughtful, and the least I can do is be present and enjoy it.
“Yep. Let’s do it.”
He flashes me that easy grin of his before climbing out and circling around the hood. This car is nothing like the Ferrari we took to Phoenix. It isn’t a car at all, but a truck. A beast with huge wheels, leather seats, and blacked-out windows. It’s tall enough that I need his hand to help me down. Once my feet hit the ground, he falls into step beside me, and we head toward the entrance. The lot isn’t empty, but it’s quieter than I expected for a weekend.
“I booked our tickets ahead, so we can head straight in,” Wyatt says as we approach the doors.
“Thanks for arranging all this,” I say, glancing over at him.
He gives me a quick look, his voice soft. “Of course.”
We walk in without waiting, Wyatt giving a nod to the guy at the entrance as we pass. The moment we step inside, everything shifts. The air turns warm and damp, thick with the scent of greenery. My eyes widen as I take in the scene. There are lush, vibrant plants in every direction, with bold tropical flowers blooming in bursts of color. Sunlight streams down through the glass ceiling above, lighting everything up.
It’s breathtaking.
Butterflies float through the air in slow, lazy arcs, and when one of them brushes against my bare shoulder, I gasp.
“Oh my God,” I whisper, turning to Wyatt. “Did you see that? It touched me.”
