Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Ivy
I’m relieved when the conversation drifts away from my love life, or lack of, and the rest of the evening passes in a blur of ridiculously expensive champagne and nonstop conversation.
It’s funny; I’ve known Wyatt for most of my life, but we’ve never talked a lot.
We’ve exchanged pleasantries at his parents’ house or when we’ve run into each other on nights out in Eden, but that’s as far as it’s gone.
Tonight feels different. He asks about my job and my family, genuinely interested, raising an eyebrow when I tell him I work in real estate.
I guess Ash never brought it up, not that she would.
There’s no reason I’d come up in conversation between them.
Real estate wasn’t a lifelong dream or anything, more something I stumbled into.
But I love it, and I’m good at it. I’ve just gone solo, and although that’s scary as hell, I’m confident I can make it work.
Wyatt asks more about me than I ask about him.
I already know a lot through Ash, but the one part of his life I’m mostly clueless about is his football career.
What I said to Ricky earlier was true. I’m not a fan, mainly because I’ve never taken the time to understand it.
Still, the way Wyatt lights up when he talks about it pulls me in.
I can tell how much it means to him, and that kind of passion is hard to ignore.
“You should come along with Ben and Ash when the season starts,” Wyatt says. “I promised them tickets when I found out Ben was a Cardinals fan. I know Taylor wants to come again. I can get you all a loft, like last time.”
I grin. “Okay, sure. I won’t have a clue what’s happening, but I’m in.”
“I’ve got just over a month before pre-season to fix that. We’ll watch some games together. I’ll teach you the basics.”
I smile at him, loving how his face lights up when he talks about football. It makes me wish I was that passionate about something. I like my job, but it’s not quite the same.
“What?” he asks, returning my smile.
I shake my head. “I like hearing you talk about football. I might have no idea what it all means, but you clearly live for it.”
He shrugs. “It’s been my whole world since high school.
I know how lucky that makes me, to wake up every day and get paid a ridiculous amount of money to do what I enjoy.
I try not to take that for granted.” He drags his hand through his hair.
“I’ve seen some guys lose it all. It’s easy to spiral into addiction when you’re young and suddenly have more money than you know what to do with.
It’s one of the reasons I come home as often as I can. Being there grounds me.”
I nod. “I get that. I’m guessing your brothers and Ash don’t roll out the red carpet when you’re back in Hope Creek,” I tease.
He laughs. “No, they definitely don’t! My parents either. Can you believe I have to make my own bed and do my own laundry when I come home?”
“Shocking,” I tell him with a grin.
His eyes sparkle with amusement. “I know, right. Don’t they know I’m a big deal?”
Just then, the server approaches the table. “Sir, the bar will be closing in ten minutes.”
He smiles at her. “Thanks. Can I grab the check, please?”
She nods and walks away.
“Wait, closing?” I fumble in my purse for my phone. When I see the time, my eyes widen. “It’s almost midnight. We’ve been here for nearly four hours.”
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he says with a wink.
Before I can reply, the server appears with the check.
“Let’s split it,” I tell him, conscious of how much I’ve drunk.
He shakes his head. “Not a chance.”
He’s tapped his card on the payment machine before I can even object.
“Wyatt,” I chastise. “Drinks are on me next time, then, okay?”
He grins. “We’ll see.”
Once we’re on the sidewalk, the fresh air hits me, and I realize just how much I’ve had to drink. As nice as the champagne was, I’m definitely not used to drinking it, especially on an empty stomach.
“Mind if I hang on to you?” I ask sheepishly. “I’m not used to all that fizz.”
He chuckles and takes my arm, looping it through his. “Better?”
I nod.
We start walking in what I think is the direction of his apartment, and my stomach rumbles loudly.
“You know you said you could get tacos at two in the morning? How about pizza at midnight? I’m starving.”
He laughs. “Sure. I know just the place. We can grab one and eat it at my place.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re stepping into Wyatt’s building with a bag full of barbecue chicken pizza that smells like heaven, fries on the side, and cookies for dessert. The champagne is definitely working its magic. If Wyatt wasn’t holding onto me, I’d be walking in circles.
“Good evening, Mr. Brookes,” the concierge greets as we enter the sleek, modern foyer.
“Hey, Fred. How’s it going?” Wyatt asks, offering a casual wave.
“All good, sir. Hope you had a nice evening.”
Wyatt glances down at me, grinning. “I did, thanks.”
“Goodnight, sir,” Fred says, his smile polite.
“Night, Fred.”
As we move deeper into the building, the elevators come into view. I stop short, tugging back on Wyatt’s arm.
“I need the stairs,” I say, scanning the space. “Where are the stairs?”
“You can’t take the stairs, Ivy. I live in the penthouse.”
“I can’t take the elevator,” I say quickly, my voice tight. “I’ll meet you up there.”
“I’m on the twenty-ninth floor. Why can’t you take the elevator?”
My eyes widen. “Twenty-ninth?” He nods. “Shit. Maybe I’ll just sleep in my car.”
“You’re not sleeping in your car.”
The panic rises in my chest. I try to rationalize, to tell myself I’m being ridiculous, but my body isn’t listening. “No, Wyatt. Please,” I whisper. “I can’t. I just can’t.”
He frowns and takes my hand, his thumbs brushing slow, calming circles across my skin. It helps, barely.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
I take a shaky breath, trying to find the words. “When I was eighteen, I got stuck in an elevator. It jammed between floors. The fire department had to get us out... and they only just made it before the car dropped. Ever since, I just can’t.”
He lets out a sigh. “That won’t happen here, I promise. These elevators are serviced monthly. They’re safe.” He pauses. “What if I hold your hand? You keep your eyes on me, and I’ll guide you in. It’s fast. You’ll be in my apartment before you can even overthink it.”
“Or I could just take the stairs,” I say shakily.
He glances down at my heels. “You’d never make it.”
I let out a loud breath. “You’ve got a point.”
He squeezes my hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You trust me, right?” I nod slowly. “Then you know I’ve got you. Okay?”
I drag in another shaky breath. “Okay.”
He leans forward and presses the elevator button before turning back to me. “Eyes on me, Ivy.”
My wide eyes meet his ocean blue ones, and my heart thunders in my chest, but I hold onto his hand tightly, hoping I’m not making a complete idiot of myself. Even if I am, I’m powerless to stop it.
The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime. My breath catches as he leads me inside, my gaze still locked on his. We’ve never stood this close before, and if I wasn’t on the edge of panic, I might actually enjoy it.
The doors close with a quiet thud, and the moment the car moves, my body tenses. A sudden jolt sends a squeal past my lips, and I drop my forehead onto his chest. Without hesitation, Wyatt drops my hand and wraps his arms around me, pulling me tight against him.
I let him, pressing my face against his shirt, my eyes squeezed shut as my arms slide around his waist. His cologne wraps around me. It’s warm and distracting, and for a moment, I let it all go and just breathe him in.
“You’re okay,” he mutters into my hair. “I’ve got you.”
I try to breathe, but I don’t know what terrifies me more. Being in an elevator again or being in his arms.
Seconds later, the car comes to a stop and the doors open. Wyatt removes one of his arms from around me, his other one tugging me against his side.
“We’re here,” he says, guiding me out of the elevator and into the hallway.
Now I’m on solid ground, embarrassment washes over me, and I feel my cheeks flush with heat. I can’t believe Wyatt witnessed my breakdown. I want the ground to open up and swallow me.
When I don’t say anything, Wyatt stops walking. “Ivy, look at me.” I reluctantly lift my head from his shoulder, my gaze meeting his worried one. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “Just embarrassed.” I smile sheepishly, and he gives me a soft smile back.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed. It’s only me. We’ve known each other forever.”
Maybe it’s because I’ve known him so long that it feels harder to hide. Or maybe it’s because I feel like someone’s really seeing me, and I’m not sure I want him to see this part.
He holds my gaze for a moment and gives my side a gentle squeeze. “Come on, let’s get inside and eat. Food always helps.”
I’m not totally convinced, but I let him guide me through the apartment door and immediately stop in my tracks, my mouth falling open as I take it all in.
“Wow, Wyatt,” I breathe, stepping out of his arms and slowly turning in a circle. “This place is incredible.”
It’s a huge, open-plan space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering an uninterrupted view of the Phoenix skyline.
The floors are polished marble tile, and it’s all clean lines and elegance.
The kitchen looks like something out of a magazine, with black granite countertops and white gloss cabinets.
I’m only standing in the entryway, but I can’t wait to see the rest. I don’t see real estate like this in Hope Creek.
Wyatt chuckles beside me. “It’s not bad. Let’s eat first, and then I’ll give you the tour.”
My eyes light up. “Really?”
“Sure.”
I kick off my heels and trail him into the kitchen barefoot. He sets the takeout bag on the oversized breakfast bar and heads to the fridge.
“Drink?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Alcohol?”
He smiles. “I’ve got it if you want it.”
“God, no. I think I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one night. I’ll just have water, thanks.”
He gives me a concerned look. “Ivy, you haven’t embarrassed yourself at all. What you went through was scary. Anyone would feel the same after that.”
I’m not sure I believe that, but I appreciate him saying it.
“Well,” I say with a small laugh, trying to lift the mood. “Just so you know, if I ever have to go in an elevator again, you’ll be getting a call to come with me.”
He grins. “Deal.”
He passes me a cold bottle of water and grabs the pizza box. “Come on. Let’s eat in the living room.”
When we’re both stuffed from eating far too much pizza and fries, Wyatt makes good on his promise and gives me a guided tour of his apartment.
The master bedroom is tucked behind a sliding door, with a private balcony, a bed that looks like it belongs in a five-star hotel, and a walk-in wardrobe that’s bigger than the whole of my first floor.
If possible, the en-suite bathroom is even more breathtaking with floor-to-ceiling stone, a rainfall shower, and the biggest tub I’ve ever seen, with amazing views over the lights of Phoenix.
“If I lived here, I’d never leave that tub,” I joke, running my hand over the cool porcelain.
Wyatt chuckles. “Funny thing is, I’ve never actually used it.”
I whip around. “You’re kidding.”
He shrugs. “I’m not really a bath guy.”
I shake my head, feigning offense. “That’s a crime.”
He laughs and gestures down the hall. “Come on. Let me show you the guest room. It’s not quite as over-the-top, but I think you’ll like it.”
He leads me into the next room, and he’s right. It’s not as large, but it’s just as beautifully done. There’s another inviting bed dressed in crisp white linens. No balcony this time, but the floor-to-ceiling window makes up for it, offering an unobstructed view that seems to stretch on forever.
“The bathroom’s through there,” he says, pointing to a door across the room.
I grin and hurry over, swinging it open, and my jaw drops again. It’s nearly identical to his, just a little smaller. Still luxurious and still stunning.
Peeking around the doorframe, I call out, “There’s a tub in here too.”
He grins from the bedroom. “Now you can finally get that soak in the morning.”
I step back toward the bed and glance out the window again. “I’m sleeping with the blinds open. That view’s too good not to.” I pause, nibbling my bottom lip. “No one can see in from up here, right?”
He lets out a soft laugh. “Pretty sure you’re safe.”
There’s a small beat before he shifts his weight, almost nervously. “I had a great time tonight, Ivy.”
I blink, taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. “I did too. Honestly... I’m kind of glad Ash couldn’t make it.”
His smile deepens. “Yeah. Me too.”
Then he nods toward the bed. “I’ll let you get some sleep.”
“Thanks, Wyatt.”
He turns and heads out, leaving me alone in the guest room. It’s only when I flop down on the bed with a sigh that I remember my overnight bag is still in the car.
I groan, pressing a hand over my eyes. There’s no way I’m getting back in that elevator tonight. I know I’ll have to face it tomorrow, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.
Maybe Wyatt would be willing to run down and grab it for me. If not… well, I guess I’ll be sleeping naked.
.