Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
IVY
“Wow,” Brit says when I walk out of the dressing room. We decided to not only do hair, makeup, pedicures, manicures, and the best sushi lunch ever, but we thought it would be fun to get dressed together, too, so we could hype each other up.
Britney Cooper is the ultimate hype girl.
I love her to death.
“Honey, he’s going to swallow his tongue.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Then he and Coop both are going to be tongueless because that red dress on you is absolutely amazing.”
We both turn to the mirror and check ourselves out.
The beautiful brunette next to me is in a formfitting red dress that is covered in sequins, has a high neckline and no sleeves, and makes her look seven feet tall. I love her willowy figure. Her hair is up, and her makeup is flawless.
“You’re a stunner,” I tell her. “Like, if I weren’t so gone over Xander and swung for the other team, I’d be hitting on you right now.”
“You’re the sweetest,” Brit says. “Okay, turn around.”
I went with the green dress because of the red hair, and I know it’s cliché, but I have to admit, it’s really pretty.
It has what the sales associate called a boat neckline, and it’s held up with spaghetti straps and a prayer because there’s no back on this sucker.
Which means no bra.
“I’ve never let the girls go loose before,” I admit with a cringe. “I’m too big for that.”
“That’s a bunch of malarkey,” Britney replies. I love her Southernisms. She cracks me up. “You’re showing the perfect amount of side boob, and I wish I had your tits.”
I smooth my hands down the front. “It’s not too clingy around my hips?”
“You’re showing your curves, and they’re hot as fuck. It’s not too clingy. That silk was made for you, and the emerald color is so damn perfect. And you were right when you insisted on keeping your hair down.”
I turn to the side so I can see part of the back. The silk plunges down just above my ass, and everyone said I should keep my hair up to show it off, but Xander likes it down.
So, we curled it into loose waves, shrinking it up just a bit so you get a peek of skin between my hair and butt. I have it pulled back on one side with a pretty comb, and I have to admit, the look works.
Add in the red-soled black heels and the black clutch, and I look damn good.
“The boys are ready for us,” Brit says, checking her phone. We’re in her condo, another gorgeous penthouse near Xander’s, and she had a bedroom made into a dressing room just for this occasion.
“This has been fun,” I tell her and lean over to air-kiss her cheek so I don’t mess up our makeup. “Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you. You have to come every year now. It’s our thing.” She winks at me and then opens the door so we can walk out to the living area where the guys are waiting.
Xander’s back is to me, but Coop’s eyes come up to us, and they darken when they land on his wife. When he looks at me, a slow smile spreads over his face.
“Well then.”
Xander turns, and his expression goes completely blank as his eyes move from my face, down my body to my feet, and then back up again.
I do a little turn, and by the time I’m facing him again, he’s striding toward me, his jaw clenched.
“Why are you mad?”
“Because I have to wait hours to get you out of this incredible dress and fuck you properly.”
Britney barks out a laugh, and I smile softly as I reach up to straighten his bow tie. My man is so broad and tall, and this custom tux fits him perfectly.
“You’re quite handsome, Mr. Hendrix.”
“You’re a fucking miracle,” he replies, and my heart catches. “Christ, you’re so damn beautiful.” His hand comes to my face, and his thumb ghosts over my cheek. “You didn’t hide your freckles.”
“They wanted to, but I said no.”
“Good girl,” he whispers and kisses my forehead.
“Hey, lovebirds,” Cooper says. “Shall we go?”
“The sooner we go, the sooner we can leave,” Xander agrees.
“You know, this is for your own charity,” I remind him. “We can’t be in too big of a rush to leave.”
“Oh yes. I can.”
I smirk, relieved that he likes what he sees, and we take our own chauffeured vehicles over to the Denver Art Museum, where the event is being held. I appreciate that no one wants to deal with parking, and then we pull up out front and my stomach clenches.
“Um, Xander?”
“Yes, baby.”
“There’s a red carpet.”
I look over at him, and he smiles. “Of course. There’s a lot of famous people here tonight, and the press wants their piece.
For your information, I’ll be introducing you as my girlfriend tonight.
I hate that term, but I can’t say this is the other half of we.
Girlfriend sounds like middle school, but whatever. ”
“I’m your girlfriend.”
“Yes.”
He holds my gaze.
“And you’re telling me this now.”
“Well, you were gone all day, and I thought it was pretty self-explanatory when I said you’re mine.” He shrugs. “It’s just a label, Red.”
“Right.” I exhale and then nod. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Before he climbs out of the car, he leans over, takes my chin in his fingers, and kisses me softly.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here. There’s no need to be nervous, wildcat.”
I offer him a shaky smile, and then he steps out, buttons his jacket, and offers me his hand.
Flashes are already going off all around us as Xander tucks my hand in the crook of his arm and leads me up the carpet.
We get stopped about every ten seconds to pose for photos—I can’t wait to get my hands on these later—and so Xander can answer some questions, mostly about how he’s feeling and if he’ll be back this season.
The answers are always the same: I’m great, and Only time will tell.
It’s a diplomatic answer.
“And who is your gorgeous date?” the commentator from ESPN asks.
“This is Ivy, my girlfriend,” Xander replies, smiling down at me. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get inside.”
Of course, we don’t get right inside because we’re stopped about six more times, but finally, I have a glass of champagne in my hand and we’re in the museum, which has been set up banquet-style with silent auction items along the perimeter and round tables for dinner spread out through three rooms. The flowers are gorgeous, and whoever the event planner was for this deserves a raise because the entire space is just stunning.
“Wow,” I murmur and glance up at my boyfriend.
Xander Hendrix is my boyfriend.
What alternate reality am I living in?
“It’s not bad,” Xander says with a nod, and I snort out a laugh.
“Right. Not bad. Yeah, okay.” I give his arm a squeeze, and that’s the last moment we get alone.
He was right, players from all the professional sports are here, and it seems that I meet almost everyone.
I’m a little starstruck, if I’m being honest. Because holy shit, that’s Nikola Joki?, who plays for the Nuggets, and I love the Nuggets.
He and his wife are both lovely, and then we move on to the next group of people to talk to.
Xander is charming. Quick to smile or joke, happy to pose for photos. And he never leaves me alone. He always has a hand on me or holds my hand, and it makes me feel . . . loved.
“Xander,” a blond woman says as she leans in to offer him a kiss on the cheek, but my man simply smiles at her and she flushes. “God, it’s been forever. You look so great. You’re not even limping!”
Ugh, I hate her.
“Does that mean you’ll be playing soon? It’s not the same to watch the games without you out there, you know.”
“I’ll be back sooner or later,” Xander says stiffly. “This is Ivy. My girlfriend.”
The woman’s eyes go round, and she swallows hard before offering me a fake smile.
“Oh, hello. I’m Bridget. So lovely to meet you.”
“Pleasure,” I reply with a nod.
“Well, I should just—” She leaves without finishing the sentence.
“So, just how many of your—”
“Don’t even finish that question,” Xander mutters to me, and I smirk at him.
How many of his past hookups are here tonight?
“A warning would have been nice.” I shrug and snatch a fresh glass of champagne from a server. “But it’s fine.”
“Ivy—”
“Hendrix!”
“How are you holdin’ up, honey?” Britney asks as Xander is swept up in another conversation about the season and the fact that he’s not playing in it.
I hate this for him.
“I’m fine.” I grin at Brit, and she clinks her glass to mine. “It’s a lot of people.”
“No kidding. Hey, I really do want to introduce you to a few of the other girls, and I promise they’re all nice.” She waits for me to nod and then taps Xander on the shoulder. “I’m stealing her for a few, but she’ll be back.”
He drops his gaze to mine, a line forming between his eyebrows. “You good, Red?”
“I’m great. Go ahead and chat, and I’ll be back.”
He nods, and I follow Britney to the other side of the room, where a group of women, of all ages, sizes, ethnicities, are gathered at a table.
“Okay, everyone, this is Ivy Bensen. She’s Xander’s girlfriend.”
Britney lifts an eyebrow at me, as if asking if it’s okay to say that, and I nod.
“Hi.” I wave at everyone and notice they all smile at me.
“Finally,” one of the women says as she reaches over to shake my hand. “I’m Hana, and I’ve been dying to meet you since the game the other night. You two are adorable together.”
“We’re so happy for Hendrix,” another woman says. “You guys seem so sweet together. I’m Tabitha, and I’m going to add you to the WAG group text.”
She’s already pulled her phone out of her purse and is tapping on her screen.
“What’s your number?”
I blink quickly, surprised. “Just like that?”
“Xander doesn’t date,” Brit says. “Ever. He’s not a monk, but he always seemed to be allergic to commitment. So the fact that he’s introducing you to everyone, and doing press with you, and everything else? You’re in, babe.”
“Amen,” Hana says with a nod. “Also, don’t let the puck bunnies worry you.”
“Honestly, they don’t.” I’m surprised to find that I mean that with my whole heart. “He’s pretty smitten with me, and I’ve been in love with him since I was fifteen, so . . .” I shrug, and they all smile at me.