Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ivy
Isettle back into the seat as Wyatt drives, much faster than I did, toward Phoenix.
I try to relax, but my mom’s comment keeps replaying in my head, and I cringe every time.
I know she meant well, and yeah, I am excited to work with him, but he didn’t need to hear that.
I just hope he doesn’t regret choosing me over a bigger, more established firm.
“Ivy,” Wyatt says, “I can practically hear the wheels turning in your head. Stop stressing, okay?”
I exhale slowly. “Okay. Sorry. I’ll snap out of it.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Your parents were great. It’s kind of crazy that I’ve never met them, considering how long you and Ash have been friends.”
I know he’s just trying to pull me out of my thoughts, and I appreciate it. “Yeah, it is weird now that you mention it. My dad dropped me off at your place a bunch of times, but I guess he never actually came inside.”
“You don’t have any siblings, right?”
“Nope, it’s just me.” I smile. “That’s probably why I loved being at your house so much. It was always full of noise and chaos. Something was always happening. It was the total opposite of mine.”
He chuckles. “It was definitely chaotic. Still is.”
“But you love it, don’t you? Being part of a big family?”
“Yeah, I do. I always imagined having three or four kids at least.”
I glance at him. “Imagined? You don’t still want that?”
He looks over at me, then back at the road with a shrug. “I do. I guess it just feels farther away now, like something I used to picture clearly, but it’s gotten a little blurrier with time.”
“There’s still plenty of time to meet someone, Wyatt. You’re hardly ancient,” I tease.
He offers a faint smile. “Yeah… maybe.” Then he waves a hand as if brushing the topic aside. “Anyway, enough about me. What about you? Do you want kids?”
He’s shifting the focus, and I let him. It’s not like I want to press him into anything deeper than he’s ready to share.
“I do. And definitely more than one. I always wanted my kids to have what you had growing up with your brothers and Ash. Maybe not five, though,” I add with a laugh. “Two or three would be perfect.”
He chuckles. “Five was a full house. Honestly, I still don’t know how my mom survived it.”
“I’m guessing twins weren’t part of the original plan?”
He grins. “Not even close. Total curveball. Then my parents decided to try once more, hoping for a girl, and along came Ash.”
“Thank God she did,” I say, smiling. “I’d be lost without her. She’s like the sister I never had.”
He returns the smile. “You two are close. So, did you end up raiding her closet for a dress?”
“Actually… no.”
He raises a brow. “How come?”
I hesitate, unsure how much to share. I adore Ash, but I just didn’t have it in me to deal with her enthusiasm about this weekend. Not when it’s strictly work and the charity event she basically pushed me into. She would’ve read way too much into it, and I didn’t have the energy to correct her.
“You know Ash,” I say with a casual shrug. “She thinks if we’re hanging out then we’re also having sex.”
His head snaps toward me. “Seriously?”
Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I know. Ridiculous, right?”
I drop my gaze, fidgeting with a fraying thread on my hoodie.
I don’t want Wyatt. At least, I don’t think I do.
He’s a friend. But still, the expression on his face, like the idea of us together is completely absurd, stings more than I want to admit.
I don’t need him to want me, but it would be nice if someone did.
Lately, the only interest I’ve had was from one of his teammates asking for my number, and that didn’t exactly light me up.
I talk about wanting kids, a future, all those things… but right now, they feel as distant as ever.
Wyatt
“You know Ash,” she says quietly. “She thinks if we’re hanging out then we’re also having sex.”
My heart races, and I turn sharply to look at her. “Seriously?”
Her beautiful face flushes pink, and she drops her eyes, fiddling with something in her lap. “I know. Ridiculous, right?” she mutters.
She might think it’s ridiculous, but I don’t.
Not even close. If only she knew how much I want her.
And the more time I spend with her, the harder it is to ignore.
But she’s drawn a clear line. This is professional now.
She wants to be respected for her work, and I admire that.
Even if it means I have to keep a lid on everything else I feel whenever she’s near.
“I hope she’s not judging everyone by her own standards,” I say with a chuckle.
That elicits a laugh from Ivy. “She’s not. And she should know better, especially when it comes to me. I’ve never even…” She trails off, her words hanging in the air between us.
I glance over, eyebrows raised. “Never what?”
Her cheeks redden further as she shakes her head. “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”
My eyes widen as I snap my gaze back to the road.
Was she really about to say she’s never been with anyone?
It catches me completely off guard. She’s warm, funny, effortlessly easy to be around, and of course, stunning.
I’ve always known she was beautiful, but until recently, she was just Ash’s friend.
Spending time with her has changed everything for me.
She’s become someone I can’t stop thinking about.
And damn, if only I’d realized it sooner.
We’re nearly in Phoenix when Ivy’s phone starts to ring in her purse. She reaches down to grab it.
“Mind if I take this?” she asks, holding it up apologetically. “It’s a client.”
“Not at all,” I say with a smile. “I get a front-row seat to the Ivy James real estate show.”
She laughs, the sound welcome after the stretch of silence between us. With a quick swipe, she answers the call.
“Hey, Corey! How’s everything going?” Her tone shifts instantly, all business with a friendly edge. “Any more thoughts on the River Falls property?”
I can’t hear the response over the engine’s hum, but my grip on the wheel tightens, my knuckles turning white, as I recognize the name. It’s the guy from Eden last weekend.
“Sure, I can look into that. Hang on a sec.”
She leans down, rummaging through her bag in the footwell, pulling out a small notebook and pen.
“Okay, so a bigger kitchen and more off-street parking. Got it. I’ll touch base with you next week.”
There’s another pause, then her tone changes slightly, lighter, but guarded.
“Oh… wow. That’s flattering, but I’m actually seeing someone.
My heart sinks. She’s dating someone? Why hadn’t she mentioned that? Then again, why would she?
She lets out a soft laugh. “No, of course not. I’ll be in touch next week.”
She hangs up and drops her head into her hands with a groan. “God, that was awkward.”
“He asked you out?” I ask, trying to sound casual, even though I’m anything but.
She nods, still covering her face. “Yeah. I panicked and said I had a boyfriend.”
Relief floods through me, and I can’t help but smile. She’s not interested in him.
“Two rejections in two weeks?” I tease.
She laughs. “That makes it sound like I’m fending guys off left and right. I’m really not.”
I’ve no idea why she isn’t.
“Do you say no to everyone?”
She shrugs. “He’s a client. I don’t date clients. It’s a line I don’t like to cross. It gets complicated.”
I glance at her.
She raises an eyebrow at me. “What? Are you suggesting I should’ve said yes?”
“Absolutely not. I’m just trying to figure out when I’d stand a chance.” I flash her a grin. “Guess I’ll have to wait until you’re not officially my realtor anymore.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re impossible, Wyatt. Stop teasing me.”
“Who says I’m teasing?”
I know I’m walking a fine line, especially when I vowed to keep my feelings in check, but maybe I’m planting the beginnings of something that could make her see me differently the more time we spend together. I hope so.
“I know you’re teasing,” she says, waving me off. “You’re as bad as Ash.”
I chuckle. “If you say so.”
We finish the journey in a comfortable silence, and when I park in the underground parking garage, I kill the engine and climb out, stretching my aching legs and back.
The Ferrari’s comfortable for my six-foot-two frame on short journeys, but it’s not great for a long drive.
I only brought it home because I knew Ivy loved it.
I think I’ll take something more comfortable back.
“You okay?” Ivy asks as she rounds the hood, seeing me stretching.
“Yep, just a bit achy after the drive.”
“Sounds like you could use a massage.”
“You offering?” I tease.
A blush creeps across her cheeks. “I—uh… that’s not what I meant…”
I laugh. “Take it easy, Ivy. I’m just teasing.”
She shoots me a playful glare. “You’ve been full of jokes today, Wyatt Brookes. Don’t forget, I’m doing you a favor here.”
I grin. “And I’m eternally grateful. Come on. Let’s head inside.”
I grab our bags, along with Ivy’s dress, and head toward the elevator.
“You sure you’re good with my bag?” Ivy calls after me. “I’m taking the stairs. Came prepared this time,” she adds, lifting her sneakered foot with a grin.
“Not happening,” I say, shifting everything into one arm and reaching out to take her hand with the other. “If you’re going to be showing my place to potential buyers, you can’t avoid the elevator forever. We’re starting your practice run this weekend.”
“Practice?” She scrunches her nose skeptically.
“Yep.” I give her hand a squeeze. “I don’t want to be worrying about you every time you’re here on your own.”
Not that I won’t still worry.
“You do realize I’ll just take the stairs when you’re not around?” she teases.
I lean closer, my voice low. “Then I guess I’ll just have to be here for every viewing.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Every single one?”
I flash her a grin. “Why not? I’ve got time. Off-season means no games, no travel. Lucky for you.”
She groans. “Shouldn’t you be off on some luxury vacation or something? Isn’t that what NFL guys do during the break?”
I laugh. “Only the ones who like their faces plastered all over every magazine.”
“Not your thing, then?”
“Nope. I like the quiet life.” I nudge her toward the elevator. “Now quit stalling. We’re going up.”
“You’re so bossy,” she huffs, but I catch the amusement in her voice.
“Duly noted,” I reply as I hit the call button.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I glance at her. “You ready?”
She lets out a sharp breath. “Ready.”
We step in, and I press the button for my floor. I can feel her tension rise immediately, and her body stiffens beside me.
“Hey, look at me,” I say. I wait until she lifts her gaze. “You’ve got this.”
She nods but closes her eyes tightly.
“Look at me, Ivy.”
The elevator begins to move, and I see the panic flicker across her face.
Her breathing grows shallow. Even with both arms full, I let go of her hand and carefully guide her into my chest. Her heart races against me, quick and uneven.
Mine’s pounding too, but for a completely different reason.
I wrap my arm tighter around her and hold her there, wishing I could take this fear from her completely.