Page 3 of Gifted to The Billionaires

Chapter 2: Ivy

Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

The next day, I text Brett that everything is set and promptly ignore his excited rambling that follows. I don’t have time to think about how to reply to his cheer. I have a Christmas to plan.

I spend most of the day writing a list and checking it twice—okay, I seriously need to spend less time with my brother. Divorced-dad humor cannotcontinue to rub off on me.

Once it’s completed, I promptly take a picture of the paper and burn it. No one, not even Gouda gets to see this by mistake. I take one last look at the image and put it into my hidden folder.

To Do Before Christmas:

Get waxed. Everywhere.

Buy “Wrapping”

Make “Gift” Card

STD Rapid Test

Remain Calm, Ivy!

Prepare Body. Stretches and Other… Stuff

Bake Apology Cookies Just In Case.

It’s not a long list, but just thinking about the plan had me ridiculously distracted writing it. There’s probably more I should add, but it’s too late now. I can’t keep fixating on something that’s four days away. I’ll start my tasks tomorrow but force myself to relax tonight.

I’m about to search for a bottle of wine when my phone chimes in my hand. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of his name.

Nik:

What are you up to today, pchelka?

My heart races at the nickname.Honeybee. He’s called me that since last year when my honey lemon chicken became his favorite dish. Similarly, Cal has taken to calling me honey every chance he gets. Both of the terms of endearment simultaneously thrill and crush me. Thrill, because it’s lovely to hear. Crush, because they’re never used in anything more than a friendly manner.

Hopefully, that’ll change soon.

Ivy:

Just staying in, maybe ordering food and watching a movie.

Nik:

Perfect. Mind if I join?

I have to grip my phone in my hand so I don’t throw it across the room.

Ivy:

You and Cal don’t have plans?

Nik:

He’s got international call-meetings tonight. I’m totally free.

And bored.

I should tell him I’m too tired, or come up withanyvalid excuse not to see him tonight.

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