Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Wyatt
It’s the night before Nash and Paisley’s wedding, and Ivy and I are at her place, getting ready to head over to my parents’ house for the evening. Since we got back from Phoenix on Monday, I’ve spent every night with her in my arms, and I could stay that way forever.
My offer on the Willow Street property was accepted, and I can’t wait for it to be mine.
For it to be ours. I want to build a life with her, but I haven’t told her that yet.
I don’t want to scare her off. I’m trying to take things slow, not push too hard or fast. This is all new to her, and we’ve only been official a short time.
But she’s been part of my life for so long, and deep down, I think she might be it for me.
I’m sitting on the edge of her bed, watching as she curls her hair at the vanity.
My hands are practically twitching with the need to touch her.
She already warned me once to behave. She said I was distracting her, but the second she stepped out of the bathroom in nothing but black lace, all bets were off.
I couldn’t keep my hands to myself… not that she seemed to mind once I had her moaning my name.
She catches my gaze in the mirror and gives me a sheepish smile.
“I’m nearly done, I swear.”
I return the smile, holding her eyes. “Take all the time you need, baby. I’m more than happy to sit here watching you.”
My gaze drops, fixing on her hips, the lace of her thong doing nothing to help my self-control.
And the worst part? I won’t even get the satisfaction of peeling it off her later.
She’s staying at my parents’ place tonight with the other girls, while the guys crash at Cade’s.
She’ll be in my bed, just not with me, and I hate it.
She stands from the vanity and steps into her black skinny jeans, then pulls a fitted white t-shirt over her head. It’s a casual night, but she still looks beautiful.
I push off the bed and take her hand, tugging her against my chest.
“You look incredible,” I say before leaning in to kiss her. Her arms loop around my neck, and I savor the softness of her lips against mine. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m going to miss you tonight. I’ve gotten used to falling asleep with you in my arms.”
She smiles up at me. “I’m going to miss you too.”
“Maybe I’ll sneak back once everyone’s asleep.”
She laughs like I’m joking. I’m not. I don’t know how I’m supposed to sleep without her. I’ve fallen for her, fast and hard, and it still catches me off guard.
“Ready to go?” I ask, grabbing her overnight bag.
“Yep. Oh, wait.”
She heads to her dresser, opens a drawer, and pulls out one of my jerseys.
“Almost forgot this to sleep in,” she says, slipping it into the bag I’m holding.
My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re telling me you’re going to be in my bed, wearing my jersey, and I’m not even there? You’re killing me.”
She grins. “I’ll send you a picture later.”
I groan. “Great. Now I really won’t be getting any sleep.”
She laughs. “You’ll survive.”
I’m not sure I will.
“Hey!” I call out as we step into my parents’ backyard, Ivy’s hand snug in mine.
It’s the first time we’re seeing everyone together since we made things official, and I can feel the nerves buzzing beneath her calm exterior.
I don’t know why she’s anxious. She knows everyone here as well as I do, and every single one of them adores her.
“Wow,” Ivy breathes beside me. “This place looks incredible.”
It’s only then I really take in the scene.
Twinkling fairy lights are strung between the trees, which are going to look incredible when it’s dark.
Elegant floral arrangements are scattered throughout the space, and at the far end, a dance floor glistens under strings of lights.
A wooden bar stands ready for tomorrow’s celebration, fully stocked. Ivy’s right; it looks incredible.
“I’ve never seen the garden like this,” I say, a little awestruck.
Paisley waves from the seating area, where everyone’s gathered on the deck around the fire pit. She stands and beckons us over with a grin.
I squeeze Ivy’s hand, and we head that way.
“You made it!” Paisley cheers, pulling Ivy into a warm, excited hug. “Doesn’t this place look amazing?”
“It really does,” Ivy replies, smiling. “You’ve done such a beautiful job.”
“All credit goes to Tessa,” Paisley gushes. “We’re setting up rows of white wooden chairs over there with sheer organza bows to form the aisle. And we’ll be saying our vows right in front of that view.”
Ivy grins. “That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
Paisley beams. “Me either.”
Just then, Ashlyn gets up from Ben’s lap and walks over, her face lit up with a huge smile.
“I haven’t seen you all week,” she teases Ivy. “Have you abandoned me for my brother?”
Ivy’s eyes widen. “What? No! I’d never do that.”
Ash laughs and pulls her into a hug. “I’m kidding. I’m so happy for you guys.”
She turns and hugs me too, and finally, Ivy seems to fully relax.
“There you are,” Mom calls from the doorway leading into the house, balancing two plates piled high with meat for the grill. She sets them down on the table before making her way over to us, a smile already tugging at her lips.
“I told you we were late,” Ivy whispers beside me.
I dip my head, brushing my lips close to her ear. “You shouldn’t have worn all that lace if you expected us to be on time.”
Her eyes go wide as she gives my chest a playful smack. “That’s not my fault!”
I grin. “No, baby, it’s mine. You make me crazy.”
I nuzzle into her neck, loving the way she squirms and laughs, gently pushing me back. “Behave. Everyone’s watching.”
Before I can reply, Mom chimes in, her eyes twinkling. “So, you two finally figured it out, huh?”
I straighten, wrapping my arm around Ivy’s waist and pulling her close. I press a kiss to her temple. “Yeah, we did.”
Her expression softens. “I’m so happy for you both.” She shoots Ivy a knowing wink. “I told him to tell you how he felt. He practically wore a hole in my carpet pacing the floor while you were out showing some guy a house.”
“Is that right?” Ivy says, looking up at me with a grin.
My cheeks heat. “Ivy doesn’t need to know about that,” I say quickly. “It doesn’t matter now.”
Mom smiles before disappearing off to the grill. Ivy steps in front of me and wraps her arms around my waist.
“Pacing a hole in the carpet, hey?” She giggles, and I pull her into my chest. “Okay, okay. I was an idiot,” I admit sheepishly.
“Yeah, but you’re my idiot,” she says quietly.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I am, and I’m never letting you go, Ivy James.”
Her eyes widen at the words, and before she can respond, I kiss her. Leaving her in no doubt about how I feel. Her arms loop around my neck, her fingers curling into my hair, and just like that, everything around us slips away, like it always does when I kiss her.
It doesn’t slip away for long, though, when a loud round of cheers erupts behind us.
I grin against her mouth as she stiffens slightly in my arms, clearly remembering where we are. I’d bet anything she forgot while we were kissing, and I love that.
“Put her down!” Cade calls out.
“Leave them alone. They’re adorable,” Taylor shoots back.
Ivy pulls back, her cheeks flushed.
I meet her gaze and don’t even try to hide the way I’m looking at her. “I’m gonna kiss my girlfriend whenever I want, so everyone better get used to it,” I say loud enough for them all to hear. Then I lower my head and kiss her again.
Another round of cheers follows as I finally pull away, lacing my fingers with hers and leading her over to the others.
“What can I get you to drink, baby?” I ask once she’s settled beside Ash.
She tucks her hair behind her ear, still smiling. “Red wine, please.”
“Be right back,” I say, brushing my fingers over her shoulder as I head inside, feeling happier than I have in a long time.
Ivy
I watch as Wyatt disappears into the house, the rest of the guys trailing after him. Once they’re out of sight, I glance at Ash, and she has a huge smile on her face. She throws her arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug.
“You look so happy, Ivy,” she says as she leans back, her eyes searching mine.
“I am happy,” I say, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face.
“Okay, tell us everything,” Sophie urges, cradling a sleeping Hunter in her arms.
I nod. “I will, but only if I get a cuddle first,” I say, holding out my arms for Hunter.
“Deal.” Sophie laughs, slowly standing to pass him to me.
Hunter stirs a little as I settle him in my arms, but a few gentle bounces soothe him right back to sleep.
“He’s so perfect,” I whisper, tracing a finger along the softness of his cheek.
“Now, spill!” Taylor grins, and I can’t help but laugh when I look up to find all four of them watching me with eager eyes.
I spend the next few minutes catching them up on everything that’s happened since I left Eden and went to Wyatt’s place.
No one interrupts me. They’re completely transfixed, hanging on every word.
I’ve been on the other side of this so many times, sitting with each of them as they shared the thrill of falling for someone new.
I used to wonder if I’d ever be the one telling that story.
And now that I am, part of me still can’t quite believe it’s happening.
“He looked smitten, Ivy,” Sophie says when I’m done. “He couldn’t keep his hands off you.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “That’s actually why we were late,” I admit. “Sorry, Ash,” I say sheepishly. “I know he’s your brother.”
She waves a dismissive hand. “I’m used to it! Every one of you is with one of my brothers!”
Laughter breaks out around us.
“But everything’s good?” Sophie asks, wiggling her eyebrows with a teasing grin.
I laugh, knowing exactly what she’s getting at without her needing to say it out loud.
“Amazing,” I say, smiling. “We haven’t slept together yet.” I glance at Ash, who reaches out and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. She’s the only one who knows I’ve never been with anyone before. “But… if it’s anything like the rest of this... God, I can’t wait.”
The girls all burst out laughing again.
“What’s so funny?” Seb asks as he steps out of the house and takes a seat beside Taylor.
“Nothing,” she replies, kissing him sweetly. “Just girl stuff.”
I glance up right as Wyatt walks outside. The moment our eyes meet, butterflies flutter to life in my stomach. He smiles, and when his gaze moves to Hunter cradled in my arms, his smile grows even softer.
He crosses the patio and takes a seat beside me, placing a glass of red wine on the table. Then he leans in and presses a kiss to my lips before turning his attention to the baby in my arms.
“How’s my nephew doing?”
I grin. “He’s perfect.”
“Yeah, he is,” Wyatt says, reaching out to trace a finger over Hunter’s tiny hand. The baby instinctively curls his fingers around Wyatt’s, and I catch the quiet breath he takes as his smile grows.
“Looks like someone’s already a fan of Uncle Wyatt,” I say, leaning closer. “Want to hold him?”
“Yeah,” he says, nodding.
I ease Hunter into Wyatt’s arms, the baby looking even smaller cradled against his broad chest. The sight pulls at something deep inside me, like I’m catching a glimpse of a future I never imagined with him but suddenly want more than anything.
“You look good with a baby in your arms,” I say quietly, just loud enough for him to hear over the soft chatter around us.
He glances at me, his eyes full of something I can’t quite read. “It feels good,” he says, his voice ragged with emotion. “Scary good.”
My breath catches at his words. I know exactly what he means. It isn’t just about holding Hunter, it’s about everything we’re starting. The weight of something genuine, something lasting.
Something that feels like it could be forever.
A couple of hours later, dinner’s over and we’re all relaxing in the outdoor seating area.
The twinkling lights that are strung between the trees cast a warm glow over the garden now darkness has fallen, and soft music plays in the background, but it’s mostly drained out by the hum of excited conversation and laughter.
There aren’t quite enough seats now that everyone’s settled, so I’m perched on Wyatt’s lap, his arms wrapped securely around me, not that I mind. I love being close to him.
Every now and then, I catch Ash watching us, a smile on her face whenever our eyes meet. I smile back, noticing the way she’s curled up beside Ben, mirroring me and Wyatt. If someone had told me six months ago that we’d both be here like this, I don’t think I would have believed them.
“All right,” Tessa says, rising to her feet and bringing the chatter to a halt. “Time to call it a night.” Her gaze sweeps over the group. “You guys need to grab a couple of Ubers and head over to Cade’s place.”
Wyatt loosens his arms from around me and glances at his watch. “It’s not even ten, Mom.”
“It’s late enough,” she counters with a smile. “Your brother’s getting married tomorrow. You all need some decent sleep.”
“Let’s go,” Henry says as he gets up, stretching. “Time to clear out.”
Wyatt gives my waist a squeeze, and I rise from his lap. He catches my hand, lacing our fingers together as he leads me a few steps away from the others. When he turns to face me, his hands slide to my hips, pulling me close until we’re pressed together.
“I don’t want to go,” he says, his gaze locking with mine.
I smile, looping my arms around his neck. “It’s just one night.”
He leans in, resting his forehead against mine. “Still feels like forever.”
A knot tightens in my chest because I get it. The thought of lying in bed tonight without him beside me already feels… wrong.
I rise onto my toes and kiss him, hoping he feels everything I can’t quite say yet. Even though I feel it.
“I’ll be thinking about you,” I whisper against his lips.
He kisses me again, slower this time, and when he finally pulls back, his thumb strokes across my cheek.
“Send me a picture,” he says, a heated glint in his eyes. “Wearing my jersey.”
I laugh. “I was kind of hoping you’d forgotten I said that earlier.”
He smirks, his eyes gleaming. “Not a chance.”
I kiss him once more, soft and unhurried, before finally stepping back, neither of us wanting to let go.
“Night, baby,” he says quietly.
“Night, Wyatt.”
I stand there for a moment, watching him walk away with his dad and brothers, already counting down the minutes until I get to see him again.
Yeah… I’ve got it bad.