Fake It ‘Til You Feel It (Work For It #3)

11. Best Wedding Date Ever

CHAPTER 11

BEST WEDDING DATE EVER

MARS

“ S how time,” Ivy says into the mirror, smoothing her dove gray dress over her hips. It’s not pastel, but it’s subtle and elegant. I’m sure Susan will find something to say, and I’m almost looking forward to it.

The zipper at her back is only halfway up, so I pull it the rest of the way, fighting the urge to run my tongue along her soft skin. “You look like a dream,” I whisper in her ear. She smiles at me in the mirror and flips her hair over her shoulder so it hangs in loose waves down her back. Stunning .

Her dress fits her like she was born to wear it. With her low heels she’s almost my height. I could pull her back against me, run my hands up her ribs to her silk-covered breasts, suck on her earlobe, all without messing up her makeup or wrinkling the dress. I’d be so careful with her.

Ivy looks so put together, so graceful, nothing like she did when she was riding my clothed dick this morning. It plays on a loop in my head, the way her mouth fell open when she came, how her whole body shook with her release. How it felt to be the one to get her there.

What happens in the hotel room stays in the hotel room, except when it happens in my imagination and memory.

I close my eyes for a moment, tucking the vision of what she looks like when she lets go into my pocket like a good luck charm. Like a talisman that’ll protect me from whatever bullshit comes my way today.

When I open them again I catch Ivy staring at me in the mirror while she puts on her earrings. Her smile is subtle and secretive, and a pulsing heat rushes south, making my cock twitch.

“You’re going to be the best part of this wedding,” I say, my eyes locked on hers in the mirror.

Ivy turns around, now fiddling with a delicate gold bracelet. “Thank you.” Her eyes start at my brown wingtips and make their way up my fitted blue suit, and over my barely pink shirt. Her eyes linger on the slightly darker pink tie. “You…” She swallows heavily and I smile. “You’re very handsome. I mean,” She swallows again. “I mean you do a nice job of cleaning up.”

I’ll take it. I hold out my elbow. “Ready?” She loops her hand through my arm, glancing up at me through her thick eyelashes. Before I open the door, a hint of an evil smile touches her lips.

“Ready.”

Ivy’s shoulders are back, her chin up, and she has her try me face on. It’s hot as fuck. As we take our seats a few rows back from the floral arch, I lean in to whisper, “Relax. Remember, we’re going to try to enjoy ourselves. You don’t need to be Warrior Ivy.”

“Oh but honey, I can be so many versions of myself and today feels like a day for armor.” She squeezes my hand where it sits on my thigh. Before I can think about it, I flip my hand over so we’re palm to palm, and I don’t let go. Ivy slides me a questioning look but doesn’t pull her hand away.

“You scare me sometimes. No wonder your company is so successful, if you put this much effort into a job,” I say.

She squeezes my hand. “This isn’t a job. It’s a mission.” She looks around at the people in the surrounding seats. “Don’t you need to sit with your family?”

I shake my head. “I’d prefer not to.” Although I wouldn’t mind showing her off.

People stare, and I don’t hate it. My younger stepbrother, Jaylen, tosses a smirk my way from where he’s talking to his aunt. Susan told him his face would freeze that way, and she was right. He’s got a perma-asshole look that hasn’t changed since middle school.

“Anybody that you’re required to be nice to, that you don’t want me pissing off?”

I think for a moment. “Aside from my dad, I really like my cousin Leeza. My dad’s whole side of the family is fine. Great, even. But I don’t know how many will be here since this is mostly Susan’s show.”

At the mention of Susan’s name, Ivy’s hmm is filled with judgement. Part of me hopes for a peaceful day and us being able to slip out of here early. But a dark, mean little part of me—the not so nice part—wants to see Ivy unleashed. Ivy as a shield-maiden, riding into battle with an axe and armor would be so fiercely hot.

My brain lights up with an image. I pat my pocket for my pen and flip the wedding program over to the blank back.

We still have a few minutes before the wedding starts, and I want to get this idea down on paper. Ivy freezes. “Is that...is that me ?”

“Maybe,” I whisper, not stopping the quick strokes of my pen. A thought occurs to me, and I glance up from the paper. “Also, don’t piss off the bride. I like Jen, even if I question her taste in husbands.”

Ivy huffs out a breath. “It’s not like I’m planning on causing a scene. Maybe getting a tad verbally stabby, but only if I’m provoked.”

I look up again from the sketch, smiling at how this highly polished, elegant woman can throw down with the best of them. I knock my shoulder into hers. “I’m glad you’re in my corner, Ives. And that I haven’t made it onto your shit list. Yet.”

She touches her temple briefly to my shoulder and continues scanning the crowd. “I’ll always be in your corner. And I can’t imagine you doing anything to get on my bad side.”

We’re only a few minutes away from the start of the wedding when the person in front of us turns around and gives us a once over. It takes everything to hold back a groan.

Lenny . One of Susan’s nephews. He’s the kind of guy who thinks everybody should be in on the joke, even if the joke isn't funny.

“Hey, Marzipan.” He gives me a bro nod and snorts at his nickname for me.

“Lenny, always a pleasure.” Never a pleasure but I have to make it through this wedding, and I’m going to start off diplomatically if it kills me.

“Break anything lately?” Another laugh because he’s so clever. Before I can say anything, I hear Ivy mutter, “I’m going to break something if he’s not careful.” Lenny definitely heard it because his eyes go wide as he gapes at her.

She plasters a sugary sweet smile on her face like she didn’t just threaten him. “Hi, I’m Ivy.” She shakes his hand, and he winces at her tight grip. I might be in love already.

I swallow a laugh. “Ivy, this is the groom’s cousin, Lenny.”

“Leonard,” he corrects. I shrug.

Ivy sucks in a breath and turns to me, her eyes comically wide. “Oh, is this the guy...?” She makes complex hand motions in his direction, either indicating he fucked a sheep or got probed by aliens. Her eyes are saying play along .

“No,” I say but nod my head yes . Lenny’s face is comically confused, a look I’ve seen before.

She turns back to him. “Well, good luck. I hope it clears up,” she says loudly enough for people in the surrounding seats to turn around. Lenny splutters and turns back around.

“You’re amazing. I want to buy you a puppy.” I sling my arm around her shoulder and squeeze her to my side.

She laughs. “No puppy necessary. Being able to do that all day will be reward enough.”

IVY

On her way to taking pictures after the ceremony, Susan manages to veer off course enough to poke at Mars. “Milton, dear, maybe stick with clear drinks so we get our full deposit back on these white linens.”

Mars doesn’t say anything, but tilts his head at her and gives her a hint of an indulgent smile. I, on the other hand, react. Grabbing the glass of red wine out of someone’s grasp I whisper, “Very sorry, I’ll get you another.” I hand it to Mars and give Susan my best I dare you glare. Mars, for his part, takes a big, long gulp, never dropping eye contact with her.

Susan huffs and turns her attention to me. Apparently I’m on tonight’s menu, too.

“Didn’t Milton inform you that the dress code for guests is pastel?” She drags her eyes up and down my light gray dress. She straightens, shaking her head like I should be heartbroken not to be wearing mint green. “Well, at least you’ll blend with the background in the photos.”

Mars takes a step towards her. A muscle jumps in his jaw, and I’ve never seen him looking like he wanted to murder someone. Kinda hot.

“Ivy’s never blended into the background of anything. Ever,” he growls in a low voice. “Now, I suggest you keep anything else you want to say about my girlfriend to yourself, or you’re going to find yourself the center of a very loud, very public conversation at your son’s wedding. And we all know how everything has to be. Just. So.” He taps the red wine glass against her own wine glass with every word.

Susan looks shocked that her stepson dared speak to her in that tone. She squares her shoulders, gives him one last glare, and walks away.

Mars puts the glass down on the nearest high-top table and sticks out his tongue. “Ugh, I hate red wine.”

I shrug, trying to ignore the goosebumps that showed up at the same time as his growly voice. “I know, but it was a necessary sacrifice.” We shake off the encounter and make an effort to enjoy the rest of the cocktail hour, although I remain on high alert.

Mars introduces me to a few people, mostly from his dad’s side of the family. His cousin, Josh, shakes my hand and says, “Mars mentioned you last time we talked. You run a software business?”

I stare at Mars in surprise, my eyes wide, catching how his ears turn bright red. Turning back to Josh, I put on my business Ivy mask. “That’s right. I advise companies on the most optimal software to invest in, both internal and customer facing. I started the company last year.”

Mars squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back. Josh smiles at me. “From what Mars says, your startup has what it takes to go far. I’d be interested in talking to you more about it. My wife and I run a small chain of grocery stores, and we’re still using software the previous owners installed fifteen years ago.”

“I’d love to help with that.” I reach into my clutch and pull out a business card. “Call me and we can see what you need.”

We chat for a little longer, and when he leaves to rejoin his wife, I turn to Mars. “You told him about me?” I ask in a shocked whisper, dropping the business Ivy mask.

“Why are you surprised? You’re kinda hot shit, business lady.” I want to toss my drink and throw my arms around him, but I barely manage to keep it together. I’m going to need a moment to reset.

I’m here for the food and Mars, who has no idea how mouth-watering he looks in his suit. And then he goes and does the one thing no one has ever done for me. Keeping my hands off him tonight will be the hardest thing I’ve done all week. Speaking of hard ...my core clenches suddenly with the memory of how solid, how hard he was under me this morning.

Turning my back on Mars to take in the decorations, I quickly fan myself with the wedding program in my hand. None of that, Ivy . What happened in the room stays in the room. I manage to calm the pulse between my legs, but I’ll need to find a way to ease this ache sooner rather than later.

I put my game face back on and turn to Mars, trying to keep my eyes off the way his suit pants hug his thighs. We’ve got a long evening ahead of us.

We haven’t even made it out of the cocktail hour and three people have already greeted him with some variation of “Oh look, it’s Mars the Destroyer. Keep him away from the cake table.”

Mars shoulders it with his typical calm, slim smile, not letting their barbs land—at least on the outside. Meanwhile, I want to take off my shoe and pelt them with it.

One second we’re sipping on a signature cocktail, the next Mars is almost bowled over by a ball of energy in a lavender dress. The cutest, most excited squeal comes out of the ball’s mouth. I mean, not a ball. A woman who comes up to Mars’ armpit but looks like she could take him in a fight.

“Leeza,” Mars laughs. “God, I’m glad to see you.” He gives her a squeeze and turns to me. “Ivy, this is my cousin Leeza. Leeza, this is my...Ivy.”

The most telling, adorable shade of pink touches Mars’ cheeks when he catches himself. Inside my chest, something knocks against my ribs with a hard thump. My Ivy . I will it away, or try to, but this little slip is tenacious.

I stick out my hand, a grin splitting my face. “Pleasure to... oof .” Leeza pulls me into the softest, fiercest hug I’ve ever had. The hug’s end is abrupt, and I’m learning quickly this is Leeza in a nutshell.

“It’s so good to meet you. Oh my god, you’re so pretty. Mars, why didn’t you tell me your girlfriend is so gorgeous? Wait, why didn’t you tell me you have a girlfriend? How are you enjoying yourself? You’re probably not because this place is filled with Aunt Susan’s family.” It all comes out in a rush, but she says that last part in a low voice, and I can’t help but laugh.

“You forgot to take an edible didn’t you?” Mars asks.

Leeza leans in and says, “Susan threatened my life if I showed up to this shindig any less than one hundred percent not high. And that woman scares the shit out of me.”

Someone announces that it’s time to head in for dinner and Leeza jumps. “Food,” she shouts, turns on her heel, and leaves.

“So, that’s Leeza,” Mars laughs.

“I think I’m in love.”

MARS

Ivy’s grip on my elbow as we walk into the reception is excessively tight. She’s cutting off blood flow to my fingers. I don’t know what she’s so nervous about. She doesn’t know these people and will probably never see them again.

We pick up our place cards, and I scan the names of the others at our table, happy to see more people from my dad’s side of the family. Maybe I can relax and enjoy myself for the rest of the day. Knowing Susan, the food will be amazing, even if it comes with a side of fussiness.

As we approach our table, one of Susan’s brothers-in-law steps in our path and claps me on the shoulder. “Glad you’re not sitting near the ice sculpture, Milt.” I haven’t seen this man in years, and this is the first thing he says to me. It’s depressing how unsurprised I am.

“Keith. It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.” It’s horrible to see him, and it will never be long enough. “I hope you’re well.” Debatable.

Ivy drops my arm and slides in front of me. She’s got that deadly smile on her face she gets when she’s about to slice someone to the bone. Holding out her hand to shake, she says. “Hi, I’m Ivy, Mars’ girlfriend.” She pauses for an uncomfortably long moment. “What’d you mean about the ice sculpture?” She tilts her head in a deceptively confused and innocent way. Shark .

I tuck the girlfriend thing away in a pocket so I can pull it out later—after I watch whatever is about to happen. It’s a shame they’re not serving popcorn at this party.

Keith blinks at her. “It was a joke.”

“Oh, I didn’t get it. Can you explain it to me?”

Keith fiddles with his paisley tie. “Well, you know...Milton is always breaking things.” Ivy stares at him. “Or tripping,” he trails off.

“Fascinating.” Any hint of innocence drops from her smile, and she straightens to her full height. She tilts her chin down at Keith, daring him to say more. She considers him for a moment, and I can see him start to sweat.

“We’ve all been a little clumsy a time or two, right Keith?” she says, her voice low as she takes a step closer to him. Her smile could cut a man in two. “It would be such a shame if someone here had an accident. Maybe after his third cocktail. Maybe during the cake cutting or the first dance. It would be a minor tragedy if someone’s third-favorite uncle fell flat on his face. What would Susan say?” She tsks . The faux concern in her voice sends a shiver down my spine and a bead of sweat down Keith’s forehead.

He’s a deer in the headlights, and I’m a smitten fool.

Keith stares down at his drink like it’s the source of his consternation. I try to cover my laugh with a cough, but I’m not fooling anybody.

I can see the mental gymnastics Keith is doing. He’s never been the sharpest knife in the drawer, and he looks pained. Stand up to the scary lady or cut his losses and move along?

Ivy’s smile hasn’t slipped once, but it grows wider when Keith walks away without another word. Probably the smartest thing he’s ever done in his life.

“I need to talk to a professional about why you being so scary is so fucking hot. Well done, but now he’s fucked off to talk to his wife, who’s the biggest gossip of the bunch.” I wrap my arm around her waist and guide us to our table. “Kinda love that you pulled out the girlfriend card again.”

“I did?”

“You don’t remember?”

“I guess it just slipped out.”

“Yeah, well that little slip means everybody will think we’re practically married by the end of the night.” I like the idea a little too much.

She runs her eyes over my face as her hands wrap around my tie like she’s straightening it. Then she shocks the shit out of me by kissing me on the cheek. “I guess we’ll have to lean into it. Think of it like an added layer of protection.”

“Like a condom?” Why the fuck did that come out of my mouth?

She laughs. “Yes, exactly. I’m the latex barrier between you and the STD that are your relatives.”

IVY

Mars belongs in a lab. Scientists need to study how this guy can be so laconic and easygoing when he’s constantly being insulted by this trash heap of a family. It’s like he’s got the thickest skin, and only the sharpest arrows make it through.

Right now, I’m gritting my teeth as the millionth relative warns him away from the cake and the ice sculpture. This time it’s the groom’s cousin, Judy.

She smacks Mars on the shoulder. “Oh my god, do you remember that time you broke my mom’s favorite serving platter?” At this point in the evening, I want to shove her into the precious cake. I’ve always had a short fuse, and it reached its end by the middle of dinner.

I squeeze Mars’ arm. “Was that the one you had to go to the dollar store to replace?” Judy gasps appropriately.

Mars smiles down at me. “No, that's the one that broke because Judy’s brother threw a stale dinner roll at me, and I held up the platter to block his shot.”

I turn back to Judy. “Wow, your brother sounds like a dick. My sympathies.” More spluttering. I’ve only had two cocktails but my filter is as thin as Judy’s eyebrows.

To Judy’s credit, she digs in. “And that time you tripped over your own feet at graduation?” Oh, poor Mars.

He rolls his eyes. “I’d just grown three inches in two months. I didn’t know where my own feet were.”

“I hate it when that happens. I tripped on my dress at prom, nearly took out an eye on my date’s boutonniere.” I laugh at the memory and turn to Judy.

“It happens sometimes when people aren’t paying attention.” I eye her long, yellow dress. “Like if you stepped on your own skirt and ripped it right off. It’d probably be the most exciting thing that ever happened to you, what with your sad hobby of trying to tear people down because your own life is small and disappointing.”

Judy’s eyes go wide as she turns to Mars. “Your girlfriend is super mean.”

Mars grins at me. “I know,” he says, like me being a jerk to his family is the best thing about me.

“Thank you. I work hard at it.” I smile down at her. I’m about ready to flip a table. Not the cake table though, obviously. I’m not a monster.

I turn to Mars, dismissing Judy. “I wonder what flavor the cake is.”

He gives me an indulgent smile that for some reason makes my chest a little tight and my fingers a little tingly. My blood sugar is probably low. When are they cutting this cake?

MARS

My jaw is tight from keeping a benign smile on my face. This wedding has been a mixed bag of hanging with people I miss, like Leeza and Josh, and dodging the pointed comments of Susan and her family. Normally they’d bounce right off me, but today has been…a lot. Without Ivy by my side, I don’t know if I could’ve managed even a tight smile.

Her prickly, don’t give a fuck barbs hit their targets so many times, I’d be surprised if I was ever invited to another family gathering. Mission accomplished. I don’t care enough about what these people think of me to be sad about it, but watching Ivy light up with righteous—and sometimes petty—indignation has made my night.

My fingers itch to finish that drawing of her as a shield-maiden, maybe add a sword. Her face should be on a canvas, not just the back of a wedding program.

Ivy’s talking with Leeza, and they’re both giggling about something. Warmth spreads through my limbs, seeing two of my favorite people get along. Someone gently slaps me on the back, and I turn around to see my dad.

“Having a good time, son?” he asks. His cheeks are red from the few glasses of wine he’s had.

Ivy’s laugh cuts through the music and background chatter, and I can’t look away. “I’m having a great time. Susan really did an amazing job.” Ever since my dad and Susan got together, I tried to keep him out of the middle of whatever animosity festered between my stepmother and I. Dad’s always been a little oblivious, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way whose side he landed on.

“I helped.” He laughs. “And Jen’s family too. But yeah, Susan did a lot to bring this all together.” His eyes seek her out across the room and his face goes even softer. When it comes to his wife, he sees what he wants to see, and I’m not going to be the one to enlighten him.

I take a sip of my soda, having abandoned the cocktails a while ago. As if I have no control when it comes to Ivy, my eyes find her again. Leeza says something and Ivy covers her mouth like she’s holding in a laugh.

Dad’s hand finds my shoulder. “She’s good for you.” My eyebrows wing up at his words. “You look at her like she’s your next meal. And she does the same.”

“Dad,” I groan. We don’t talk about this stuff. Ever. He laughs, enjoying my discomfort.

“My job here is done. I live to embarrass my children.” With that he turns around and heads for Susan, shimmying his shoulders like he’s begging for a dance.

When I turn back to Ivy, she’s staring at me. Leeza looks between the two of us and clasps her hands under her chin. Ivy tips her head to the dance floor, a question in her eyes.

Setting my soda on a nearby table, I head her way, catching my toe on a chair once but barely wincing. Can’t give these people any more ammunition. I hold my hand out to Ivy. “Let’s dance.”