Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Wyatt
Ileave Ivy settling into the guest room and take a minute to lock up before heading to my own room.
As I start to unbutton my shirt, a smile tugs at my lips, my thoughts drifting back to the night.
Spending it with Ivy had been unexpected, but I’d had a great time, and I think Ivy did too.
The charity dinner is two weeks away, but it’s already taken up more space in my head than I’d like to admit.
I’ve just pulled off my shirt when there’s a knock at the door. I cross the room and open it to find Ivy standing there, her hand halfway to knocking again.
Her eyes flick to my chest, then widen. “Oh, God, sorry.”
She starts to turn, but I reach out, catching her hand. “Wait. Everything okay?” I ask, my voice low with concern.
She hesitates, her gaze briefly drifting back to my chest before settling on my face. “I… left my overnight bag in the car,” she says quickly. “But it’s fine. If you can lend me a shirt to sleep in, I’ll just grab it in the morning. I can’t deal with the elevator again tonight.”
Her words come out in a rush, and I can tell she’s flustered. I offer her a soft smile.
“I’ll go get your bag, Ivy.”
“Wyatt, seriously, it’s fine. You’re about to go to bed. I don’t want to be a pain.”
“You’re not. Just give me two minutes.”
I head back into my room, swapping my pants for a pair of sleep shorts. I figure the walk to the garage is easier than handing her one of my shirts. I’m not sure what would be harder to ignore. The image of her in my shirt or the fact that she’d be sleeping just a few feet away in it.
It only takes a few minutes to ride the elevator down to the garage and grab Ivy’s overnight bag. When I get back, she’s waiting in the kitchen.
“Thanks, Wyatt. I know it’s late, but do you mind if I have a shower? I’ll be quick. Then I swear I’ll let you sleep,” she says with an apologetic smile.
I chuckle. “It’s fine, and of course you can have a shower. See you in the morning.”
“Night, Wyatt.”
“Night, Ivy.”
After brushing my teeth, I crawl into bed and switch off the light. I’m just starting to drift off when there’s another knock at my door.
“I’m sorry,” Ivy calls before I even reach it.
Smiling, I push the comforter back and make my way to the door. When I open it, Ivy’s standing there in nothing but a towel, her hair piled on top of her head in a loose, messy bun.
My eyes betray me instantly, trailing over her before I can stop them. “I thought you were letting me sleep,” I say, my voice teasing, and a lazy grin tugging at my mouth.
A faint blush creeps up her neck. “I need help… with the shower.”
That wipes the grin off my face. “The shower?”
“It keeps beeping and won’t turn on. I think I broke it.”
I chuckle. “You didn’t. It’s got this stupid touch panel. Come on. I’ll fix it.”
She steps aside to let me past, and the soft scent of her skin hits me like a punch to the chest. It’s something warm and floral, like summer. I walk toward the guest bathroom, hyper-aware of her just behind me.
“I was going to leave it,” she says. “But then it wouldn’t stop making noises. I didn’t want to wake you up again. I’m sorry–”
“Hey,” I say over my shoulder. “Stop apologizing. It’s fine.”
Inside the bathroom, I step into the walk-in shower and tap the glowing panel to silence it.
“Here. I’ll show you how it works.”
She steps in beside me, and suddenly, the space feels smaller than I remember. I guide her in front of me, our bodies brushing, and reach around to point at the controls.
“This one turns it on,” I say, my voice lower now. “And this controls the temperature.” I catch her looking back at me, her face inches from mine. “Got it?” I ask.
She nods slowly. “Yeah. Got it.”
I stay where I am for a beat too long, then step back. “I’ll let you enjoy your non-threatening, non-beeping shower.”
“Thanks, Wyatt,” she says softly.
I give her a nod, then slip out before I do something I’ll definitely regret, like offering to stay and help. I close the door behind me and head back to my room, sliding under the comforter again.
Ivy is Ash’s best friend. She’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. She hasn’t changed. She’s still the same Ivy I’ve always known. And yet… something feels different. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, no matter how hard I try.
The room is quiet, but my head isn’t.
She’s right next door. Naked under hot water. And there’s not a chance in hell I’m falling asleep now.
After a restless night, I wake to the scent of bacon drifting through the apartment, and my stomach growls. Sitting up, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and make my way to the bathroom. Once I’ve used the toilet and brushed my teeth, I follow the incredible smell into the kitchen.
I find Ivy at the stove, cooking bacon and flipping pancakes. She’s in a tank top and tiny sleep shorts, her hair a little messy from sleep. I pause for a second, liking that she’s in my space before shaking my head and brushing the thought aside.
“Hey, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” I say as I walk up behind her. “But it smells incredible.”
She turns from the stove and gives me a smile.
“Morning. I wanted to. I hope you don’t mind that I raided your kitchen.”
I smile back. “Not at all. You’re welcome to take over my kitchen whenever you like.” I throw her a wink, and she laughs. “How’d you sleep?” I ask, reaching around her to sneak a piece of bacon.
“Hey!” She turns and swats me with the spatula.
“Ow!” I laugh, rubbing my arm. “That hurt.”
“Serves you right,” she says with a giggle.
“I couldn’t help it. It smells way too good.”
She starts plating up the pancakes and bacon, then opens a cabinet and pulls out some maple syrup.
“Go crazy,” she says, grabbing a strip of bacon and popping it into her mouth.
I grin and drizzle syrup over one of the pancakes. One bite in and I let out a contented groan.
“Okay, these are amazing.”
She smiles. “Thanks! And to answer your question, I slept like a baby. That bed is incredible.”
“Glad to hear it.”
She picks up a pancake, pausing before taking a bite. “So… do I have time to soak in that tub, or are you wanting to hit the road back to Hope Creek?”
“No rush,” I tell her. “Take all the time you want.”
She starts to gather the dishes, but I step in, catching her arm.
“Not happening. You cooked. Clean-up’s on me.”
She flashes me a grin. “Thanks, Wyatt.”
With a cheeky smile, she grabs another strip of bacon and pads toward the guest room. I watch her go, doing my best not to let my eyes fix on the way her shorts ride up with every step. I exhale, scrubbing a hand over my face.
This is Ivy. We’re friends. Always have been. Once we’re back in Hope Creek, I’m sure everything will fall right back into place.
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
It’s over an hour before Ivy reappears, and I’m lounging on the sofa, scrolling through my phone when she walks out of the guest room.
“Sorry I took so long,” she says, looking sheepish as she sinks down next to me. “It was just so good that I didn’t want to get out.”
“I was starting to think you’d grown gills,” I tease.
She laughs, nudging her shoulder against mine. “Ha-ha. I would’ve stayed in longer, but you’re missing the essentials. No bath salts, no bubbles.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that a complaint about my facilities, Miss James?”
She smirks. “Just an observation. What kind of operation are you running here, Mr. Brookes?”
I chuckle. “Clearly not a five-star one.”
“All jokes aside, it was amazing. I’ve never taken a bath with a view like that before.”
“Glad it didn’t disappoint. You ready to head out?”
She nods. “Yep.”
We both rise to our feet.
“I should probably grab your number,” I say, trying to sound casual. “So, I can send you the details for the dinner.”
I’m not sure why I’m nervous. This isn’t a date, it’s just logistics. Still, my voice feels a little tighter than usual.
“Sure,” she replies, pulling out her phone.
I take it from her with a grin. “Actually, maybe I should give you mine. Just in case you were planning on giving me a fake number. I’d hate to end up ghosted like Ricky.”
Her cheeks flush, and I smile as I enter my number and give myself a quick call from her phone.
“All right,” I say, handing it back to her. “Let’s get out of here.”
As we step into the hallway, I catch Ivy eyeing the emergency stairwell. Before she can say a word, I reach over and slip my hand into hers, weaving our fingers together.
Her eyes flick to mine. “What are you doing?” she whispers.
I hesitate, then offer a small smile. “Holding your hand. It helped last time, didn’t it?”
She squeezes her eyes shut and gives a reluctant nod. “Damn you and your penthouse, Wyatt Brookes,” she mutters, gripping my hand tighter as the elevator dings and the doors slide open.
“I’ll get a ground-floor place next time. Promise,” I say, gently tugging her inside.
Her eyes widen as she steps in. “You’re selling your apartment?”
I press the button for the parking garage and hold her gaze. “I’ve been thinking about it. I want a place in Hope Creek.”
She frowns, her brow furrowed. “But won’t you still need somewhere here in Phoenix?”
“Yeah, I will. But I don’t need all this space, not really. I might just rent something smaller here and put all my energy into a proper home in Hope Creek. That’s where I want to be.” The elevator doors open, and I squeeze Ivy’s hand. “We’re here.”
She looks around in surprise. “I didn’t freak out.”
I smile. “No. You didn’t.”
We walk across the garage, stopping in front of her car.
“Well, this is me,” she says.
“Thanks again for saving my ass,” I tell her, stepping forward and brushing a kiss on her cheek.
“I had a great time.”
“Me too, Ivy.” I stare at her a beat too long before moving back. “I’ll call you next week about dinner.” She nods. “Drive safe.”
She smiles. “You too.”
I watch as she gets into her car, lifting a hand in a wave as she drives off.
I’d been dreading last night and the upcoming charity dinner, but after spending the evening with Ivy, I’m actually looking forward to it.
More than I’ve looked forward to anything in a long time, and I’m not sure what to make of that.