37. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
B rody
The resort’s restaurant buzzes with music and conversation. From the outside, I spot a good number of people. Nick doesn’t know how to do anything in half measures.
I turn to Ivy. “You good?”
She nods, peeking in beside me. “How many are there?”
“Many, apparently. Nick likes a good crowd.”
“Ugh.” She scrunches up her nose.
“What? Don’t want to see anyone? We can leave and tell them you couldn’t make it.” It’ll certainly work in my favor because I’d like to be alone with her.
“No. There’s just a lot of people to get through before we can be alone again.” Her cheeks redden. “Don’t make fun of me.”
I chuckle, facing her. “I’d never do that. At least, not about this because I feel the same way.”
“How romantic.” She rolls her eyes.
Leaning down, I kiss her lips. “We’ll go in and make the rounds. Stay until all their bellies are full and they’re caught up in conversations. Then we’ll make an exit.”
She nods. “I like this plan.”
“And I like you.”
She beams. “Look. You are being sweet.”
“Yeah?” I fix the collar of my shirt. “I knew I had it in me.”
“Come on.” She slips her hand in mine. “The quicker we go in, the quicker we can leave.”
Her hand feels right in mine. I squeeze it gently and lead us in.
Nick spots us first. “There they are!” he cheers, bringing all eyes to us.
A cheer goes up, and applause and whoops mix in.
Someone breaks from the group and hurries our way. Iris. She runs straight to her sister and wraps her up in a tight hug. I step aside and let them have their moment. They stay locked in for a full minute before Iris pulls back.
“Never, ever do something that stupid again.”
Ivy’s eyes warm. “I can’t promise that, but I’ll always promise that I’ll come out alright.”
Iris doesn’t look pleased with this response. She turns to me and wraps her hands around my torso. I’m not sure what to do for a few seconds before Ivy gives me a look, encouraging me to hug her back. I’m not sure why she’s so affectionate. I’m not the one who put my life in danger. But I tap her back gingerly.
She pulls away and looks into my eyes, hers tearing up. “Thank you so, so much. I don’t think Ivy or I would be here right now if it wasn’t for you.”
My chest squeezes, and I pull her in for a quick hug. “I was only doing my job.” And falling in love along the way. My eyes meet Ivy’s, and she blows me a kiss.
Callum clasps hands with me, and pulls me into a half-embrace, thumping my back twice. Then he hugs Ivy. “We came as quickly as we could. Iris really wanted to be there when you met your father. I mean, Luke.”
“I did. But you delayed us.” She frowns at him.
“I didn’t want to put you in harm’s way.”
“My sister was in harm’s way.”
“There was a plan.”
“I should have been here. I can’t even look at you.” She turns around and stomps away.
Callum glances at us, an apology in his eyes as he hurries after Iris.
“Do you think they’re going to be alright?” I ask.
“I’m sure of it.” Ivy watches them, a smile on her face. “Iris wouldn’t even speak to him if she was truly mad. This is sort of a mating dance for her.”
“What is our mating dance?” I ask her.
Her face flames. “Your mom is coming.”
I lift my head as Mom arrives.
“Brody.” She hugs me, but only so briefly. It feels like it didn’t happen. “Oh, Ivy.” She squeezes Ivy in a bear hug. “I heard what happened. Are you alright?”
Ivy looks a cross between a deer caught in the headlights and a pup with her doting mother. Seeing her debate on how to interact with my mom is cute.
“I am. Brody came just in time.” She glances at me, a silent plea for assistance in her eyes.
I chuckle silently and shake my head. She gives me a look and faces my mom again.
“As he should.” She pats her arm. “You were very brave, Ivy. We’re all so proud of you.”
“We?” She frowns.
That’s when Nick’s mom, Bethany, and Zane’s mom, Amanda, show up.
I say hi to them and introduce the women to Ivy. It’s appropriate to meet them now since we’d be spending more time together. She needs to know the people who are important to me.
The women immediately put her at ease with jokes about their sons and an invitation to visit with them anytime.
“Thank you all very much,” Ivy says. “I probably won’t be in Pine Peaks long enough to make it happen.”
“But we’re working on that.” I thread our fingers together.
Mom looks from our entangled hands to my face and gives me a silent oh my god! I’m sure it’ll take an hour-long call to explain to her how it happened.
“Already telling people about us?” Ivy turns to me as Mom leads her friends away.
“She already knew.”
Ivy frowns. “How?”
“I’ll tell you later.” I pull her toward the rest of the gang.
Nancy welcomes Ivy with a hug. “I heard how brave you were out there facing that vile man.”
Ivy winces. “I’m only happy he’s behind bars now and my sister is safe.” She glances in Iris’s direction, and I follow her gaze to find Iris laughing with Callum and brushing something off his shoulder. That resolved quickly.
“And you, too. Now Brody can rest easy.”
“What?”
“Oh, you didn’t hear? He’s been a pain in everybody’s butt since your life has been in danger.”
I pinch my forehead. Nancy had zero qualms about saying stuff like that.
“Oh...” Ivy beams. “Tell me more. What has he been up to?”
I’m grateful for Cliff, who shows up just then and pats my back, giving Ivy a sideways hug. “I’m glad you’re both alright. Good job trapping him.”
“All credit goes to Ivy’s bravery. We wouldn’t have gone that route if it was left to me.”
“So, admit it. I’m smarter and wiser than you.” She smirks.
“Just more headstrong and stubborn.” I pull her into my side. “But I’ll always be here to clean up your messes.” I kiss her forehead.
A knowing smile lights up Cliff’s eyes, and Nancy’s shrewd gaze flicks between us, drawing conclusions. I cup Ivy’s face and kiss her lips so there would be no confusion.
“Ugh, get a room, you two.” Nick comes up to us. “Right beside mine so I can make a hole in the wall.”
Everyone around groans.
“Too much?”
“Yes,” Sera says firmly.
“I’ll dial it back a notch.” He grins. “Welcome to your party. We’ve been waiting for you both so we can have a meal.”
Nancy pats her robust middle. “Ah, I can’t wait. I’ll finally have something I didn’t cook for the first time in ages.” She waddles to the long table organized for our group. “What are you all waiting for?”
Soon, we’re all taking our seats. Before I know it, Ivy is stolen from my side and placed between Sera and Iris across the table. I’m left with Zane’s stoic silence and Cliff for company. I’m not mad about either. I just wish I could have my girl next to me.
She catches my eye and gives me a small wave. Then she goes back to speaking with my mom.
This is going to be a long, torturous dinner.
Nick rises to his feet, clinking his glass with silverware. “I propose a toast.”
We close our hands around our wine glasses, and servers hurry to fill them.
“To Ivy, for her bravery and determination. To Zane, for creating a spectacular recording device.”
Zane nods, lifting his glass.
“To Sera, for covering all the bases we would have missed. To Brody, for well,” he eyes me, “not raining hell on us.”
Everyone laughs, and I keep my face passive. I’ll always be the butt of Nick’s joke. I don’t care.
“To Cliff, for giving us room to do what we do best. And to me, for organizing this spectacular party!” He nods. “The applause. Let’s hear it. I know you’ve got it in you.”
A slow clap resounded, and Sera let out a few whoops to enliven the cheer.
“Let’s enjoy ourselves and our success. Hear, hear!” He pumps his arm in the air.
Glasses clink, and people sip. Dinner begins, and pockets of conversation grow around the table, becoming one lively hum.
I speak with Cliff, and Zane occasionally chimes in. But my mind can hardly stay on the exciting subject of the resort’s west wing.
My eyes keep slipping to Ivy. She looks pleasantly occupied. If I could guess, I’m sure our plan to escape is the last thing on her mind. Her smiles and laughs bring warm pleasure to my heart. Every glance she sends me makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and bring her back to our room. Being locked inside her is the best way to celebrate.
I’m still contemplating if I can risk it when she drops her fork and rises. Her eyes flash to mine, and heat floods my body. She’s inviting me, isn’t she?
Whatever Cliff is saying fades into nothing as Ivy rounds the table, heading for the restroom. I tap my feet, wondering when I can leave without letting the rest know what I’m up to.
Fuck it. I don’t care if they know. I stand and pull my chair back. No one looks at me. All in different stages of enjoying their meals and conversations. Good for me.
I turn and follow the direction she went. Up ahead, I catch the tail of her dress disappearing into a hallway.
I stroll even though my senses beg me to run. To catch up with her. To feel her smile on my lips and claim the spot between her thighs. To soak myself in her scent and fill up on her. In a few strides, I’ll be with her. Alone. Finally.
The hallway breaks off into another stretch leading to the bathrooms. I turn the corner, and the sight that meets my eyes snatches the breath from my lungs.
A man grabs Ivy by the waist.
“No!” she screams, pushing his hands off. “Stop.”
My brain takes two seconds to understand what’s happening before me. Ivy was simply going to the bathroom. Where did this man come from to accost her? What is he doing?
Two seconds too long.
A gun appears out of nowhere and presses to her side. “Stop struggling,” he snarls. “Else, I’ll fucking pull the trigger.”
I take off, racing toward them. He jerks Ivy roughly to the side, and her terrified eyes meet mine. But I can’t reach them fast enough. The man hustles her out of the emergency exit, and she’s gone from my sight.