Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Ivy
It’s Monday night, and Ashlyn’s invited me to dinner at Ben’s.
We spoke briefly after I got back from Wyatt’s yesterday, and of course, she had a million questions.
I kept my answers vague. I know exactly what she’s up to, and I’m not playing along.
The more I tell her about Saturday night, the more she’ll overanalyze and start plotting some matchmaking scheme.
But that’s not happening. Wyatt and I are friends, and no matter how much Ash tries to meddle, that’s all we’ll ever be.
I’m not even sure I’d want anything more.
Yes, he’s undeniably attractive, but I need more than just good looks. I need a real connection.
I pull into Ben’s driveway, cut the engine, and climb out of the car.
I’ve been here a few times before, mostly right after Ash got out of the hospital and stayed with him for a while.
Ben’s place is impressive, with a large driveway and sweeping front lawn.
Just as I’m about to head toward the house, the front door swings open, and Ashlyn steps out.
“Hey, you made it! Come in,” she says, hurrying down the porch steps and reaching for my hand.
“Hey, Ash.” I pull her into a hug. “You okay?”
“I’m good. You?”
I nod as she pulls me inside and shuts the door behind us.
“Ben and Laney are in the living room,” she says, leading me through the entryway.
“Ivy!” Laney jumps up from the sofa and hurries over, her eyes wide with excitement. “Ash told me all about your date with Wyatt. I need every detail.”
I shoot Ash a glare, but she just grins and settles onto the sofa beside Ben like she’s completely innocent.
“Hi, Laney. It wasn’t a date.”
Laney’s brows knit. “But Ash said he took you out after the auction.”
I sigh. “He did. But that doesn’t make it a date.”
She smirks. “Sounds like one to me. So, where’d he take you?”
“Maybe let Ivy sit down before the interrogation starts,” Ben says as he gets up and walks over to me. “Hey, Ivy,” he adds, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“Hi, Ben.” I give him a grateful smile.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Yes, please.”
“Wine?” he offers.
“Do you have any soda? I drank enough on Saturday night to last me the rest of the month.”
He chuckles. “Coming right up.”
I catch the giddy exchange of looks between Laney and Ash and groan under my breath as I sit down.
“Ash, Laney, anything to drink?” Ben asks as he heads toward the kitchen.
“I’m good, babe,” Ash calls.
“Me too, Dad,” Laney adds.
The second he’s out of earshot, Laney turns back to me. “So, where’d he take you?”
I laugh. “A place called Opulent. It was nice. Some of his teammates were there too.”
Laney’s eyes widen as she leans forward on the sofa. “Who?”
I pull a face. “Umm… not totally sure. One of them was definitely named Ricky.”
“Ricky Shaw? He’s one of the running backs. He’s hot!”
I laugh. “Well, he asked for my number.”
“In front of Wyatt?” Ash says, her eyebrows shooting up.
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Ash. Because despite your best efforts, it wasn’t a date.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says, acting innocent.
“Oh, really?” I arch a brow. “Then why didn’t Wyatt know I was coming?”
Just then, Ben walks back in and hands me my drink.
“Thanks,” I say, cracking the can open and taking a sip. “Ash?” I prompt when she stays quiet.
She lets out a breath. “Fine. I thought if you two spent some time together, something might click.”
“Ash, I’ve known him as long as I’ve known you. If anything was going to click, it would’ve happened by now.”
She pouts. “Not necessarily. You’ve never hung out, just the two of you.”
“You like him, though, right?” Laney chimes in.
I shrug. “I like him the same way I like Nash, Cade, or Seb. We’re friends. That’s all.”
“Told you she’d see right through it, babe,” Ben says, pressing a kiss to Ash’s cheek.
“You were in on it too?” I ask.
Ben raises both hands. “I tried to talk her out of it, but… you know how persistent she can be.”
“Hey!” Ash protests, swatting his arm.
He chuckles. “Baby, I love how persistent you are.”
She lifts a brow. “Doesn’t sound like it.”
He tickles her side, and she bursts out laughing, pushing him away. “I’m sorry, Ivy,” she says between laughs. “You could always back out of the dinner. I’ll take your place.”
“No,” I say, maybe a little too quickly. A smile tugs at her lips. “I had a good time. I’ll go. It’s the weekend after next, though.”
Her eyes widen. “Ivy, that’s your birthday! I swear, I didn’t know.”
I shrug. “It’s fine.”
“Does Wyatt know?”
“I haven’t told him.” I give her a warning look. “And neither should you.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not a big deal–”
“It is a big deal,” she cuts in.
I shake my head. “He already feels bad that I got dragged into helping him. I don’t want him feeling worse for hijacking my birthday too.”
“He should still know.”
“Ash. No.”
She doesn’t say anything, and I know I’m fighting a losing battle. She’ll tell him; I know she will.
Ben stands before leaning down and brushing a kiss on Ash’s lips. “I’m just going to check on dinner. Be right back.”
Ash smiles at him and nods.
“So, back to Ricky,” Laney says eagerly. “Has he called yet? Are you going to go out with him?”
“He hasn’t called,” I say slowly. “But that’s probably because I gave him a fake number.”
“What?” she shrieks. “Why would you do that?”
“Ha!” Ash bursts out. “You do like Wyatt!”
I groan. “No. I didn’t give him my actual number because I figured he was only asking to get a rise out of Wyatt.”
“And was he?” Ash presses.
I let out a sigh. “Wyatt said he wasn’t, but I’m not totally convinced.”
“I’m sure Wyatt would pass your number along if you wanted him to,” Laney suggests with a grin.
“He isn’t my type,” I say, taking a sip of my soda. Then I turn to Ash, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere. “Did you know Wyatt’s thinking about selling his apartment?”
“What? Seriously?” she asks, looking surprised. “I love that place.”
“It’s gorgeous. The views are unreal, and that tub in the guest room… I spent an hour in there on Sunday morning,” I admit.
Ash laughs. “Yeah, it’s pretty incredible.”
“He’s thinking about buying a place in Hope Creek and renting something smaller in Phoenix.”
“Did he ask you to be his realtor?” she asks, her eyes lighting up.
I laugh and shake my head. “No. Why would he? He’ll need someone local in Phoenix to sell his apartment. I’m small fry. He’s not going to hire me.”
She frowns. “Ivy, you’re amazing at what you do. You’re only twenty-five and already building your own business. You could totally handle this.”
I wave off the compliment. “He should go with a firm that specializes in high-end listings. I’ve never handled anything close to what his place is worth.”
“That doesn’t mean you couldn’t. You should at least ask him.”
“Absolutely not. That would be totally unprofessional.”
She sees the look on my face and throws her hands up. “Okay, okay. I’m just saying, you’d crush it.”
My expression softens. “And I love how much faith you have in me, Ash. I really do. But I’m not going to throw myself at Wyatt for a listing.”
Ben appears in the doorway. “Dinner’s ready, guys.”
We all get up, and I trail behind Ash and Laney into the dining room.
“Ooh, tacos,” Laney says, dropping into a chair around the large table.
“This looks amazing, Ben,” I tell him as I take the seat beside her, eyeing the spread.
“Dig in,” he says.
I’m just about to reach for a taco when my phone buzzes with a new message.
“Sorry,” I mutter, pulling it from my pocket.
Ben chuckles. “No need to apologize. I gave up on the no-phones-at-the-table rule years ago. Perils of parenting a teenager.”
“You’re on your phone at dinner more than I am,” Laney says dryly.
He laughs. “She’s not wrong.”
I give him a smile, then glance at my screen, blinking in surprise when I see a message from Wyatt.
Wyatt: Hey, Ivy. It’s Wyatt. Hope you’re okay. Are you free one night this week? I want to run something by you
.
Run something by me? A tiny pang of disappointment settles in my stomach. Is he trying to cancel dinner? I hope not.
“Everything okay?” Ash asks, a hint of concern in her voice.
“Uh… yeah, I think so,” I reply, still distracted.
“Who is it?” she presses.
I groan inwardly. Telling her it’s Wyatt will only fan the flames of her matchmaking mission. Still, I can’t lie.
“It’s Wyatt.”
Her face lights up. “I didn’t even know he had your number. What’s he saying?”
“I gave it to him so he could update me about the dinner plans,” I explain. “He’s just asking if I’m free one night this week,” I add quietly, keeping my gaze down.
“Another date!” Laney exclaims.
I laugh and shake my head. “No, it’s not. Please don’t encourage her.”
Ash just waves it off with a grin, clearly enjoying herself.
“Are you going to say yes? What are you going to wear? I could do your hair, and Laney and I can help you choose something sexy to wear.”
Her words tumble out in excitement, and I hold my hands in the air.
“Whoa. Stop! This is not a date, Ashlyn. I don’t need my hair doing, and I definitely don’t need anything sexy to wear. Did you not hear anything I just said?” I shake my head. “You know what? I’m just going to tell him I’m not free. It’s easier that way.”
“No, don’t,” Ash rushes out. “I’m sorry. I get it, you don’t like him that way. I’ll stop pushing. I swear.”
I raise my eyebrows skeptically. “You promise?”
She nods. “I promise.”
“Fine. Let’s just change the subject,” I tell her, slipping my phone back into my pocket without replying.
“You’re not going to answer?” she asks cautiously.
I shoot her a look. “No. I’m having dinner with my annoying best friend.” She smiles sheepishly. “I’ll reply later.”
She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips.
I pretend not to notice and start loading tacos onto my plate.
I know she didn’t hear a word I said. But I’ve known her since we were five, so I’m not even surprised.
For all her meddling and dramatic plans, I love her.
She may be a pushy, overbearing pain sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything.
Thankfully, the rest of the evening passes without any more mention of Wyatt, and for that, I’m grateful. Still, his message echoes in the back of my mind, looping on repeat. What could he possibly want to talk about? If he is cancelling dinner, surely, he would’ve just said so.
I wait until I’m back home, tucked under the covers, before finally replying. It’s late, and there’s a good chance he’s already asleep, but I text him anyway.
Me: Hey Wyatt. I’m free Wednesday night if that works? What did you want to run by me?
I hesitate, then send a follow-up. If he is cancelling on me, I’d rather just rip the band-aid off.
Me: You’re not cancelling dinner on me, are you?
I stare at the screen, and a moment later, the read receipts appear, and then the typing bubbles. Relief washes over me.
Wyatt: I’m definitely not cancelling dinner. Wednesday’s good. Eden, 7pm? I’ll tell you then.
I groan, dropping the phone to my chest. I know I suggested Wednesday, but now he’s not telling me what he wants to say, that feels like days away.
And of course, I can’t move anything around.
I’ve got a valuation appointment on Tuesday night, so rescheduling isn’t an option.
I’ll just have to wait, even though patience isn’t exactly my strength.
Still, I reply.
Me: Eden at 7 works. See you then.
His response comes almost immediately.
Wyatt: Looking forward to it. Night, Ivy.
I smile at the screen.
So am I, even if I have no idea what he’s going to say.