Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ivy
It’s Monday evening, and I’m getting ready to meet Ash, Taylor, and Paisley in Eden. Ash had barely waited until Wyatt dropped me off yesterday before calling, her voice buzzing with excitement as she insisted we meet tonight so I could give her the full debrief on my birthday weekend.
I’d really tried to convince her that everything she’d seen online was just part of the act, but I could hear it in her voice that she wasn’t buying it.
And if I’m being honest with myself… neither am I.
It’s hard to keep pretending when I can still feel the weight of Wyatt’s hands on my waist from Saturday night, or the way he looked at me when I came out wearing his jersey. That wasn’t acting. At least, it didn’t feel like it. He held me like he meant it, like he didn’t want to let go.
And I didn’t want him to either.
I loved wearing his jersey. I loved spending time with him. I loved the whole weekend in a way I probably shouldn’t have. Because no matter how close we got, or how good it felt to be near him, I can’t let myself believe it means something.
Why would it?
He could have anyone. He’s charming, famous, gorgeous, and I’m just… me, ordinary and unremarkable. There’s no universe where someone like him genuinely wants someone like me.
I’ve never been in a relationship. Never even been close. Maybe it was naive to think I could pretend and not get caught up in it. Maybe it was always going to backfire.
He doesn’t like me. Not really. I just let myself believe in something that felt good, because I’ve never had anything like it before, real or not. And now I’m left trying to untangle the feelings that up until now I didn’t know I had.
I shove aside the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind and focus on getting ready.
I slip into a pair of black skinny jeans over a lace bodysuit and step into nude, heeled pumps An oversized blazer goes on next, before I toss my curled hair over my shoulder, swipe on some lip gloss, and grab my purse.
A few minutes later, I’m walking along the sidewalk toward Eden. I’m nearly there when my phone buzzes in my purse, signaling a new message.
I pull it out, and the moment I see Wyatt’s name on the screen, my stomach flips, and butterflies erupt. I tap the message open.
Wyatt: Hey, Ivy. Sorry, I was in the gym. I can do tomorrow at two. Want me to pick you up around twelve and grab lunch first?
I’d messaged him earlier to confirm the Willow Street property viewing, but this is the first I’ve heard back. The thought of having lunch with him is more tempting than I want to admit. Still, I already have a client appointment at noon, and I doubt I’ll be done in time to meet him beforehand.
Me: I’d love to, but I’ve got another viewing at twelve. I might need to meet you at the house if it runs over, hope that’s okay?
The message marks as read almost instantly, and a typing bubble appears. Then disappears, then pops back up again. He’s either typing an essay or debating whatever he wants to say. Finally, another message comes through.
Wyatt: Is it with the guy who asked you out?
My brows knit together. Why is he asking that? My heart wants to believe he’s jealous, but the rational part of me assumes he’s just being nosy. Or worse, gearing up to make a joke about it.
Me: Yeah. Why?
My phone chimes in my hand almost immediately.
Wyatt: No reason. Just figured it might be. You okay with that?
I frown, reading his message twice. Okay with that? What’s that supposed to mean?
I stare at the screen, considering how to reply. The viewing itself is fine, it’s just work. Do I wish the guy had never asked me out? Of course I do, but I can handle it. Something about Wyatt asking the question feels… loaded, though.
Me: It’s work, Wyatt. It’s not a date.
He reads the message instantly, and the typing bubble flickers on and off again as if he’s overthinking whatever it is he wants to say.
Wyatt: Yeah. I know. Just… I guess I didn’t expect you to say yes to continue working with him after he hit on you.
I blink. There it is. Not jealousy, exactly. But something close.
My heart pounds in my chest as I approach Eden. I’m a few minutes late, so I’m guessing the girls are already here. Still, I hesitate at the door, my fingers flying over the screen.
Me: It’s a good opportunity. I’m not interested in him, if that’s what you’re asking.
The moment I hit send, doubt kicks in. Why did I say that? I didn’t need to clarify that. He didn’t ask if I was interested.
But he replies almost instantly.
Wyatt: Good.
Just one word. But somehow, it says everything.
I exhale, suddenly breathless, and slip my phone back into my purse. My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for the door handle. I’m not sure what just passed between us, but I swear something did.
I push open the door to Eden and spot the girls right away. It’s quiet. It is a Monday night, after all, but their booth is alive with chatter and laughter. Ash sees me first, jumping up and waving like I might somehow miss them in the nearly empty bar. I can’t help but laugh as I make my way over.
“Ivy!” she calls, hurrying over to pull me into a tight hug. “Finally! We need every. Single. Detail.” She pauses. “Actually, maybe not every detail. He is my brother, after all.”
I chuckle as she squeezes me and then lets go. I slide into the booth beside Paisley, who hands me a glass of wine with a grin and a knowing look.
“So,” she says, already smirking. “How was your weekend?”
“Yes, come on!” Taylor leans forward eagerly. “Spill!”
I roll my eyes with a small smile and take a sip of wine, stalling. “There’s not much to say. Wyatt’s publicist was hassling him about some reality show, so I told her we’re dating to get her off his back. Whatever you saw, it was just for show.”
Ash gives me a skeptical look. “You seriously want us to believe it was all fake? Ivy, have you seen the pictures of you two dancing?”
Heat rises in my cheeks at the memory. Wyatt’s hands on my waist, the space between us disappearing, the way it felt like nothing else existed but us.
“I saw them. But it wasn’t like that. We were putting on a show. For his publicist.”
Taylor raises a brow. “Was his publicist even there when you were in the club?”
I hesitate. “Well… no. Not then.”
“So, who exactly were you pretending for?” Paisley asks, her tone pointed.
I groan, dragging a hand over my face. “I don’t know, okay? He’s… he’s amazing, even if I shouldn’t admit that. But I can’t afford to read too much into this and end up hurt. Whatever it feels like, it’s not real.”
Ash reaches across the table and takes my hand. “But it could be something, Ivy. If you let it. Wyatt isn’t Nico.”
“Wait, who’s Nico?” Taylor asks, her brow furrowing.
I let out a quiet sigh. “Just a guy I knew in college.”
“What happened?” Paisley presses.
Ash cuts in before I can answer. “He led her on for months. Made her believe there was more when there wasn’t.”
I glance at her with a small smile. She’s always defended me, and I love her for it.
“We weren’t ever technically together,” I add, trying to downplay it.
“I completely misread things. I thought there was something between us, but he saw me as a friend. He actually laughed when I told him how I felt. He said I wasn’t someone he'd ever bring home to meet his family. His dad was some big-shot senator.” I wave a hand like it’s ancient history. “It was years ago.”
Ash’s hand tightens around mine. “Maybe. But he didn’t have to be your boyfriend to leave a scar. The way he dismissed you, it stuck. Even if you don’t want to admit it.”
I look away, my throat tightening. She’s not wrong.
“You’ve kept people at arm’s length ever since,” she continues, her voice gentle. “Because he made you feel like you weren’t worthy of more. Like wanting something genuine made you naive. And ever since, you’ve been guarding your heart, keeping people out without even realizing it.”
Paisley’s expression softens instantly, her eyes full of sympathy. Taylor nods slowly, understanding dawning on her face.
“But that’s not Wyatt,” Ash continues. “He’s not going to belittle how you feel or make you feel small for wanting more.”
“Only if he feels the same way, and how do I know if he does?” I ask, uncertainty seeping into my voice.
“It’s okay to be scared,” Ash says.
“I’m not scared,” I lie.
“You’re terrified,” Paisley says without missing a beat. “I would be too. But Ivy… the way he looked at you in those photos? That wasn’t for the cameras. That was a man who sees you.”
I stare down at my wine glass, fingers tracing the rim. I want to believe them. I want to believe that maybe this time it’s different. That maybe someone like him could want someone like me.
But wanting something doesn’t make it true.
“I just don’t think he sees me like that. He’s used to being with models and actresses… I’m not one of them.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why he likes you,” Ash says. “Maybe he wants something real too.”
“Maybe,” I whisper, the word barely making it past my lips.
Ash’s eyes flick to my neck. “Is that the necklace he got you?” she asks, reaching to touch the delicate diamond resting against my skin. “It’s beautiful.”
“Wait, what?” Paisley sits up straighter. “He got you a necklace? For your birthday?”
I nod, my fingers brushing the pendant.
“Not just any necklace,” Ash adds. “It’s Tiffany.”
Taylor shrieks. “No way!”
Her outburst earns glances from nearby tables, but she doesn’t even notice or care.
“You got a Tiffany necklace from him and you’re still trying to convince us this is all fake?” she admonishes. “You’ve got to be kidding?”
“It was just a birthday gift,” I mutter, but the second the words leave my mouth, I hear how lame they sound.
Paisley narrows her eyes. “Since when do friends give each other diamonds? There’s nothing casual about diamonds.”
I wrap my fingers around my glass, trying to keep my face neutral, but it’s no use. Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks.
“I just don’t want to get my hopes up. Guys like Wyatt don’t end up with girls like me. This thing between us… whatever it is, it’s not going to last. It’s temporary.”
Ash leans in, her voice gentler. “But what if he feels the same, and he’s just as scared as you are? Maybe he thinks you’re not interested. Like you said, you’ve been friends forever, and it’s always been platonic. He might not know anything’s changed. You should talk to him.”
I shake my head, letting out a breath. “I wouldn’t even know how to start that conversation. Not after I tried with Nico and it blew up in my face.” I pause, my cheeks flushing again. “There have been a few moments, though. Times where I thought maybe…”
“What kind of moments?” Taylor prompts eagerly.
I hesitate for a second before giving in.
“After he took me to the Cardinals stadium, I asked for one of his jerseys. I wore it to watch a movie later and… he just went quiet. Then he said he’d never seen anyone wear his number before, and he didn’t expect it to hit him like it did.
He said it looked better on me than it ever did on him. ”
Ash grins knowingly. “I wear his shirts, but I’m pretty sure his sister rocking his number doesn’t hit quite the same.”
I blink. “That’s exactly what he said.”
Paisley leans forward, her eyes sparkling. “And the club? That dance wasn’t nothing.”
I nod, the memory warm and vivid. “The music changed and I thought he’d suggest we sit down.
But before I even realized what was happening, he pulled me into his arms. He held me like he didn’t want to let go.
And the truth is, I didn’t want him to. It felt like it was just us in the room.
Like everything else disappeared. I didn’t want it to end. ”
For a beat, no one says anything. The table goes quiet, every eye on me.
“See?” Ash says. “You don’t fake moments like that. That kind of connection, you can’t act it. It’s real, Ivy. Even if neither of you has said it yet.”
The familiar chime of a text cuts through the air. I reach into my purse and pull out my phone. It’s Wyatt.
Wyatt: You don’t have to go to that viewing alone. I could come with you.
A smile creeps across my face before I can stop it.
Ash catches the change instantly. “That him?”
I nod, still staring at the screen.
She grins, raising her glass. “Whatever this is, Ivy, fake or not, you’ve got it bad.”
I do. But that doesn’t mean I can do anything about it.
If I say something and I’ve misread the situation, I risk everything.
Our friendship has been years in the making.
His family is woven into my life, and I can’t afford to lose that.
And then there’s the professional side, selling his current place, finding him something new in Hope Creek.
There’s too much on the line to gamble with this. I just need to bury my feelings.