Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Wyatt
“Hey, can you give me a ride to Eden after dinner?” I ask my dad as I settle into my seat at the dining table.
“Sure,” he says, scooping up a forkful of lasagna. “You meeting up with Seb?”
“Nope. I’m meeting Ivy.”
I catch the way my mom’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Ash’s Ivy?”
I chuckle. “Yes, Ash’s Ivy.”
She grins knowingly. “Why? Something going on between you two?”
“Nothing’s going on,” I reply quickly. “Did you know she works in real estate?”
Her brow furrows. “Of course I did. You didn’t?”
I shake my head. “No clue, but I could use her help.”
“Why do you need a realtor?” my dad asks, curious.
“I’m thinking about buying a place in Hope Creek,” I say. “As much as I love staying here when I’m not in Phoenix, I think it’s time I had somewhere of my own. Somewhere permanent.”
Mom tilts her head. “I thought you loved your apartment.”
I let out a breath. “I do. Or I did. But it doesn’t feel like home. I’ve never liked the city, you know that. I need to be there during the season, but outside of that, I want something that feels like a home. That apartment doesn’t.”
She nods in understanding. I’ve never been shy about how much I love Hope Creek.
I always imagined settling down here, maybe with someone.
I figured we’d decide together where to live.
That hasn’t happened yet, and I guess now feels like the right time to make that move on my own. Hopefully, Ivy can help.
“So... you’re asking Ivy to be your realtor?” Mom asks, and I nod. “Are you thinking of selling the apartment?”
“Yeah. I don’t need that much space, and I’m fine renting something smaller. I’m hardly there anyway.”
She leans in a little. “You know Ivy just started her own business, right? Selling your apartment could be a huge opportunity for her, especially financially. It’s tough starting out.”
I hesitate. “I wasn’t sure if I should ask. I mean, it’s a big listing and I don’t know if she wants to keep going back and forth to Phoenix for showings.”
“Well,” she says, “ask her. Unless you’d rather go with someone who has more experience with high-end properties?”
I shake my head. “No, I’d be happy for her to take it on, if she’s up for it. She didn’t seem all that into Phoenix when we were there on Saturday night.”
Mom’s eyes widen slightly. “Ivy was with you on Saturday? At the charity event?”
I groan inwardly. I’d told my parents about the charity auction, but I’d conveniently left out the part where I asked Ash to bid on me.
I never planned on opening up to her about how miserable I feel in Phoenix when I’m not playing.
But when we were out rescuing Laney the night her car broke down, she asked about my love life, and everything just came spilling out.
From the outside, my life probably looks perfect. And I get it, I’m lucky. I know that. But the truth is, when the game ends and I shut the door to my apartment at night, it’s just... lonely. I don’t want my parents worrying, thinking I’m unhappy. I’m not. Just tired of the silence.
“It’s a long story,” I say, taking a bite of lasagna and hoping she’ll let it go.
“I’ve got time,” Mom replies with a grin. “Spill.”
I can’t help but laugh. “There’s really nothing to spill. I told Ash I was dreading the event. I didn’t want to end up at dinner with some obsessed fan, so she offered to come bid on me. I agreed and said I’d cover the cost.”
She raises a brow. “So… did Ivy tag along with her?”
“No. Ash cried off and asked Ivy to go in her place.”
“So, Ivy bid on you instead?”
“Yep,” I say, smiling. “Best fifteen grand I’ve ever spent.”
“Fifteen thousand?” Dad says, his eyes wide. “You make too much money.”
“Worth every penny. You should’ve seen the woman who bid twelve. I barely got out alive.”
Mom laughs. “And what exactly does fifteen grand get someone?”
“Dinner with me,” I say with a smirk.
“Well, I must be special. I get dinner with you for free.”
“You do.” I grin. “Plus, the honor of cooking it for me.”
She gives me a look. “Cheeky.” We all laugh, and then she says, “So you’re taking Ivy to dinner?”
I nod. “Yeah. We’re driving down to Phoenix the Saturday after next. She’s staying at my place that night.”
Mom’s smile fades slightly. “Wait, the dinner’s the weekend after next?”
“Yeah. Why?”
She frowns. “Wyatt… it’s Ivy’s birthday that weekend.”
“What?” I blink. “She didn’t say anything. Are you sure?”
She gives me a pointed look. “That girl practically lived here when they were teens. I’m very sure.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “Why wouldn’t she tell me?”
“Maybe she didn’t want a fuss,” Mom says with a shrug. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make one.”
Dad chimes in. “She’s giving up her birthday weekend to help you out. The least you can do is make it special.”
“I guess,” I mutter, having absolutely no idea where to take her. If this were a date, I’d be pulling out all the stops, but it’s not. Even if I’ve spent more time thinking about Ivy this week than I’m entirely comfortable admitting.
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” Mom says with a grin.
We finish dinner in an easy silence, and once I’m done, I head upstairs to change into jeans and a shirt. A few minutes later, Dad drops me off at Eden. I give him a wave as he pulls away, then glance down at my watch. I’m early. I’ve no idea if Seb is working, but Alex or Ryder will be.
Pushing open the door to Eden, I walk in, seeing that it’s relatively quiet. I guess it’s still early yet.
“Hey, Wyatt,” Paisley says from by the bar. She walks over and, rising up on tiptoes, presses a kiss on my cheek. “You meeting the guys?” she asks, moving back to the tray she was stacking with drinks.
I follow her. “No. I’m meeting Ivy.”
“Oh... okay,” she says, a hint of surprise in her voice. “I haven’t seen her yet.”
I hold back a smile. I know that tone. She’s dying to ask questions. But I let her wonder.
“I’m early,” I say casually. “Thought I’d grab a drink while I wait.”
She nods, and I can feel her eyes on me as I make my way down the bar to where Alex is serving.
“Hey, man,” Alex says, lifting a hand in a wave. “Beer?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I take a seat on one of the stools as he grabs a bottle. A moment later, he slides a Bud across the bar.
“Appreciate it,” I say, taking a long sip. “Seb around?”
Alex shakes his head. “Nah, night off. He’s upstairs with Taylor.”
I nod, glad to hear it. Back before Taylor, Seb barely took a day off and ran himself into the ground most weeks. Her accident changed things. It made him take a step back and re-evaluate. Now, he’s finally got a reason to slow down.
“I can grab him if you need to talk,” Alex offers.
I shake my head. “No need. Just thought I’d say hi if he was around.”
He gives a nod and moves down the bar to serve someone else.
I sip my beer slowly, trying to settle the knot of nerves twisting in my stomach. I don’t know why I’m so on edge; it’s not like I haven’t seen Ivy a hundred times when she’s out with Ash. I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous, but it’s freaking me out.
I’m still lost in my thoughts when a warm hand lands on my arm. I turn in my seat, and the breath catches in my throat. Ivy stands beside me, smiling, and damn, she looks incredible, even in black jeans and a silk cami.
“Hey, Wyatt,” she says, smiling softly, totally unaware I’m taking in every inch of her. “I’m not late, am I?” She nods toward my nearly empty beer.
“No, not at all,” I say, standing quickly. I lean in to kiss her cheek, catching a faint trace of her perfume. “I was early. My dad dropped me off. Do you want a drink?”
“Red wine would be great, thanks.”
I nod and turn back to the bar, taking a quiet breath to steady myself.
I’ve got to get a handle on whatever this is.
This pull toward her came out of nowhere, and I don’t know what to do with it.
If this talk goes well and she agrees to help me find a place, we’ll be spending a lot more time together.
The last thing I need is to be distracted by how good she looks every time we’re in the same room.
But right now? That feels like a losing battle.
Once we’ve both got our drinks, we make our way to one of the quieter booths tucked into the back corner of the room. I slide in first, trying not to stare as Ivy settles beside me and crosses her legs.
“So,” she says, turning slightly toward me. “What was it you wanted to run by me?” She takes a sip of her wine, watching me over the rim of her glass.
I shift to face her more fully. “Remember when I mentioned I was thinking about buying a place here in Hope Creek?” She nods, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Well, I was hoping you might be my realtor and help me find something.”
Her brows shoot up in surprise. “What?”
I smile at the shock on her face. She definitely wasn’t expecting this. “I want you to help me find somewhere, Ivy,” I tell her again.
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers, clearly taken aback.
“If you don’t want to-”
“No!” she says quickly, cutting me off. “It’s not that. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“Well, before you decide, there’s something else I want to ask you.”
“Go on,” she says slowly.
“How would you feel about listing my place in Phoenix too? I know it’s a bit of a distance, and it might be a pain scheduling showings, so no pressure, but I wanted to ask you first.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?”
I chuckle again. “Yeah, why not?”
She shakes her head slowly. “I’ve never listed a property like that before. Are you sure?”
“I’ve got complete faith in you, Ivy.”
She bites her lip, and my eyes instinctively drop to her mouth. “Ash didn’t put you up to this, did she?” she asks, a flicker of uncertainty in her voice.
I frown. “What? No. No one talked me into anything. I haven’t even mentioned it to Ash. Why would you think that?”
She exhales, waving it off. “Just something Ash said earlier this week. Don’t worry about it, it’s not important.”
“Okay…” I say, eyeing her curiously but letting it go. “So, you’re good with going back and forth to Phoenix when needed?”
She laughs. “I’ll make it work. It’ll definitely be worth it.”
“You’re welcome to stay at my place whenever you need to,” I offer. “I’ll be in Phoenix now and then too, so we can always car share.”
Her lips curl into a grin. “That works. I might even have to christen the tub in your room,” she teases, giggling. “Don’t worry, I’ll wait until you’re not home.”
She winks, and I swallow hard, trying, and failing, not to picture her in my tub, naked and soapy… I shake the thought away.
“Well,” I say with a laugh, masking my inner turmoil. “Someone should get some use out of it before the place goes.”
“Thanks for this, Wyatt,” she says, her voice quieter now, the teasing gone. “This is a huge deal for me, and it means a lot that you asked.”
I smile at her. “Of course. You’ve just gone out on your own, right?”
She nods and leans forward to set her glass on the table. “Yeah. I took the leap a couple of months ago. It was terrifying at first, leaving a steady paycheck behind. Things are a bit slow while I build up my client base...”
“Well, I’m glad I can add to your numbers.”
We spend the next half hour talking through what I’m hoping to find in Hope Creek. I’m not too fussy, but I know I want some land, enough space for all my cars, and a bit of privacy. I’m open to places outside of town, since I know I won’t find that kind of space right in the center.
“What about something that needs a bit of work?” Ivy asks, finishing the last sip of her wine.
“Actually, I’d prefer that,” I tell her. “It’d be good to put my own stamp on a place. I never got to do that with my apartment.”
Her face lights up. “Perfect. That gives me a lot more to work with.”
I grin, caught up in her enthusiasm. “Let me grab us another round. We can keep planning.”
As I head to the bar, I know without a doubt that asking Ivy to help with this was the right call.
It’s obvious how much she cares, and not just about making a sale, but about finding the right fit for me.
And maybe that’s why I’m already more excited about this than I expected.
Not because I’m finally buying a place where I love. .. but because I get to do it with her.
Yeah. I’m in trouble. Big trouble.