28. FAIRY TALE
FAIRY TALE
KARSON
I hadn’t wasted a second when I’d returned from Dubai. Gus had driven me to a luxury shopping area in the city and waited nearby while I shopped.
The minute I entered the high-end boutique, my eyes locked on the stunning Oscar de la Renta gown.
One of the sales assistants had been similar to Ivy in size, so we’d used her measurements as a guide for the fitting.
The ivory-colored satin lining and tiny, crystal-embellished fern-leaf fabric were encased in ultra-fine tulle. The overall effect was like being wrapped in delicate fern leaves crafted from jewels.
The gown cost more than a small car, but it was a speck of dust compared to the depth of my feelings. It was the perfect gala outfit for her. If she came.
The long, tight, strapless dress was already a showstopper, but when the stylist paired it with chunky black Stella McCartney ankle boots and a gold-shimmer clutch, it became the main headline.
Ivy could wear a sack and make it look amazing… but if she decided to go to the gala, I wanted her to wear a dress like no other. One that made her feel like a queen.
I longed to see her again. To hold her.
The terrifying possibility of never seeing her again twisted through me like a knife.
***
Stepping back, I inspected the charcoal-colored tuxedo Dyson had chosen for the Moonlight Gala. “Looking smooth,” I said with a smile. “Very gala-ready.”
“Well, I didn’t want to disappoint the ladies.” He smiled, making the final adjustments in the full-length mirror.
Brushing a speck from my jacket, I straightened my bow tie over the top button of my Tom Ford tuxedo shirt before slipping on the dark midnight-blue jacket. I ran my fingers over the soft velvet as it caught the light spilling through the window.
“Careful.” Dyson tilted his head sideways and frowned. “Keep dressing like that and people are going to assume you’ve got your life together.” He flashed a grin.
“God forbid.” I smirked. “Meanwhile, you look like you’re about to walk the red carpet.”
“I practically invented the red carpet.” He smirked, grabbed the keys off the bureau, then shoved them into his pocket. “Right, if we don’t want to be late for our own gala,” he said, opening the door, “let’s hustle.”
“You go ahead… I need to sort something first.” I pulled out a chair at the table, scrolled through my phone, then hit Call before switching to speaker.
“Ah, trying to get Cinderella to the ball?” He bowed theatrically. “Godspeed, Prince Charming.”
“Hilarious,” I muttered as he closed the door behind him.
“What’s hilarious?” the voice on the phone asked.
“Oh, sorry.” I chuckled nervously. “That wasn’t meant for you. This is Karson—is this Sass?”
“Oh, right, Kaarson.” She drew out the vowels. “Yep, this is Sass.”
“I got your number a while back when Ivy’s battery died and she called you from my phone. Sorry to bother you. I’ve been messaging and calling her, but she won’t… she hasn’t…” I exhaled. “You get the picture.”
“I get it,” Sass said quietly. “But how can I help?”
Damn. I should’ve planned this better. “Could you maybe persuade her to talk to me?” I shifted in my chair as tension prickled up my neck. “Please. There’s something I need to ask her.”
“Sorry, Karson, but Ivy’s not here. She’s at work.”
“Oh,” I said, quashing a pang of disappointment.
“Wait, I’ll text you the number. And Karson, just be warned, she might not want to talk to you.
You hurt her badly, and she’s worked hard to move on.
But please… sort this out. She’s been miserable since you split.
” She sighed. “Oh, and if you do work things out, don’t fuck it up again, or you’ll have me to deal with. ”
“If she ever gives me another chance, believe me, I won’t. And Sass? Thank you.” I ended the call.
Miserable? Could she actually miss me after I ghosted her and acted like a selfish jerk?
I’d royally screwed up. I called the number Sass sent me, silently praying Ivy would hear me out.
“Sizzling Hot, Miki speaking.”
I cleared my throat. “Hey, Miki,” I said awkwardly, “it’s Karson.”
“Karson,” Miki replied, equally awkward. “Hi… I wasn’t expecting it to be you.”
“Miki, let’s address the elephant in the room. I shouldn’t have stormed off that night. I overreacted,” I said immediately. “That’s on me. I’m sorry.” I braced my elbow on the table and rubbed a hand over my face.
“Thanks for saying that, Karson, I appreciate it.” She hesitated. “And honestly, we know Ivy’s incredible. Somewhere along the way, I caught feelings for her. Then things crossed a line.” She exhaled softly.
“You don’t have to—”
“Yeah, I do. I blindsided her with that kiss, and I shouldn’t have. I don’t know how much you saw, but Ivy stopped it straight away and made it clear she was with you. That part was entirely on me.”
All I saw when I walked in was their lips locked together. After that, my head flooded. I couldn’t think straight. It never occurred to me to ask questions—I’d immediately assumed the worst.
How had I been so blind? I’d been an even bigger fool than I thought. I rubbed the back of my neck and closed my eyes as my mind drifted…
I’ve thought about my father’s letter every night since he gave it to me, and now, I finally get it. I’ve been terrified of being abandoned ever since they sent me away. Ever since they barely showed up in my life.
Seeing that kiss triggered some hidden fear in me. One I didn’t even know I had. One so strong it stopped me from thinking clearly.
Now I know. I should’ve trusted her. I should’ve listened.
Instead, I let my baggage sabotage everything, spent weeks hiding from myself. Hiding from Ivy.
Maybe my parents loved me in their own broken way. But they’re damaged and never did anything to confront their own shit. That doesn’t excuse all the things my father’s done.
But watching the destruction he left behind has made one thing painfully clear…
Face your demons.
Or they’ll poison everything ahead—
“Karson, are you still there?” Miki asked.
“Yeah, sorry,” I replied quietly. “Miki, can I talk to her? There’s a gala tonight. I messaged her, I need to tell her how sorry I am…” I sucked in a breath. “And that I’m still in love with her.”
“Look, I’m not sure she’ll listen to me, but I can try,” she said. “Hold on a sec.” The phone went silent. A lump rose in my throat. I rocked back in my chair, drumming my fingers against the table as the clock on the wall ticked loudly into the silence.
A few seconds later, I pushed out of my chair and paced the room anxiously.
“Karson?” Miki asked.
Unable to speak, I grunted in response.
“I tried… but she said she’s busy, she doesn’t want to talk to you. Sorry Karson.”
“I understand,” I said quietly. “But Miki…” My heart rate quickened. “Tell her if she changes her mind, I’ll be waiting.” I ended the call and rang the chauffeur I’d hired. He picked up on the first ring.
“Maurice, change of plans. Don’t go to Ivy’s house. Head to Sizzling Hot. It’s only a few minutes from her place. And Maurice? Hurry.”
***
IVY
My head ached, I rubbed my fingers across my temple as I slumped over the counter at Sizzling Hot. I slurped my iced water, waiting for my shift to end.
Was I wrong not to take Karson’s call?
My mind raced through the possibilities. There’d been barely any customers all night, I’d had every opportunity to talk.
I was confused. Confused about how he felt about me. Confused about whether I should risk it again.
I didn’t want to tear the wound open and rub salt in it. When I saw him on the screen at the race, I was sure he’d moved on. It definitely seemed that way, living it up in Abu Dhabi.
But all his calls and messages… had I made a mistake? It’s too late now. He was gone. And I was stuck at work, watching the clock. Sighing, I stared absently through the window.
My eyes widened as a sleek, pearly-white car inched past out front. “Miki, check this out.” I crunched on another potato chip, my eyes glued to the driver in the fancy cap. “Is that a chauffeur? He must be lost. We don’t get cars like that around here,” I said as the car rolled to a stop.
With my drink in hand, I sucked on the straw and wandered toward the window. Leaning closer, I admired the elegant curves of the car.
Whoa. A silver ‘B’ framed by a set of wings gleamed on the hood. Nice Bentley!
The driver’s door opened, and a well-groomed middle-aged man dressed in an impeccably tailored black uniform stepped out.
With a straight back and chin lifted, he moved around the gleaming car and opened the rear door. He reached inside, pulling out a glossy white shopping bag and slinging it over his shoulder before lifting out a large, cream-colored box tied with an oversized white bow.
With the bag over his shoulder, he carefully carried the box toward the door, glancing at me through the glass pane.
A giggle escaped my lips, my hand flew over my mouth and I jumped back as the door creaked open.
A second later, he stepped inside.
My attention snapped to the shiny box as the door clicked shut behind him. He gave me a questioning look as he crossed the room.
“Good evening, mademoiselles,” he said ceremoniously. “My name is Maurice. I have a special delivery for Ee-vee.”
Wait… does he mean me?
“If you would be so good as to point me in her direction, I would be most grateful, merci beaucoup.”
I pressed a finger against my chest. “Umm, that’s me,” I said as Miki’s smile widened. A special delivery… for me? From this guy?
My gaze swept around the diner, but aside from old Charlie sitting at the bar, the place was practically empty. Miki and I exchanged a look before turning back to the chauffeur.
“Mademoiselle, a gift for you,” he said melodically, “from Monsieur Wells.” He held the box toward me.
Karson! Of course. No one else would send a Bentley to Sizzling Hot. My gaze returned to the outstretched box. “What is it?” I raised an eyebrow.
He gave me a blank expression.
“Could you open it for me?”
With a polite nod, Maurice untied the ribbon and gently lifted the elegant lid.