Page 23 of Decked Out with Ivy

“Best friend and grateful for it. I got to be a taste tester.”

“With the amount of samples you ate, I’m surprised you don’t get nauseated at the sight of these.” Louise placed the box on the counter and pushed it toward them.

“Impossible.” Ivy took the box and practically hugged it to her chest.

Louise rang them up, and Cody paid. Not just because he was a gentleman, but because he was having a good time.

“Paparazzi at twelve o’clock.” Louise nodded toward the front door. “He’s just taking pictures through the glass. I swear, if I wind up on the internet looking the way I do…” Louise ran a hand down the apron tied at her waist.

“You look beautiful,” Ivy said.

“I know, but I wore this sweater the last time I was with Brooke and Bex, and Bex got photographed. People are going to think I only own one sweater.” Louise glanced at the tan v-neck and sighed. “I thought Matt got rid of all of them.”

“Sorry,” Cody said. “It seems I brought them with me.”

“It’s fine.” Louise swatted her hand through the air. “It’s only a matter of time before Matt or the town drive them away. In the meantime, looks like you’re ready for your closeup, Mr. DeMille.”

“Sunset Boulevard. Nice,” Cody said, admiring Louise’s knowledge of a movie from the fifties.

Louise laughed. “You can thank Shay and all the other people in town who make fun of me for my lack of knowledge about all things pop culture prior to 1990. They have me making a movie watch list. I just crossed that one off. Little Miss Christmas over here watched that one with me.”

“I thought you didn’t watch TV,” Cody said.

“I don’t, but I can always be persuaded by cupcakes and a movie night with one of my best friends. Plus, movies are different, especially Christmas movies.” Ivy laughed, but it was over the top and not her usual joyous tone. Her hand landed on his chest.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Playing it up for the camera,” she managed to say without as much as moving her lips, a skill that would have made her an expert ventriloquist. He hadn’t expected her to be this good—no one would be able to read her lips.

He inhaled, letting the actor fully step into the spotlight. His mouth curved into a smile, and his eyes lingered on hers. A photo would capture the pure interest in his gaze, the desire for her reflected in his body language. He could credit it to being a good actor, but with Ivy, he didn’t have to fake hard.

And while that realization would normally have him tuck tail and run, he had no desire to walk away. Not when he was just getting to know her. Not when the idea of not seeing her again scared him more than the feelings that were boiling dangerously close to the surface.

He held his hand out. “Ready to face the flashes?”

Her hand slid into his. “Let’s do this.” She waved at Louise, then they turned together as a united front.

“Knock ‘em dead,” Louise said.

They stepped out of the heated bakery into the frigid December air. The photographer moved closer, with no concept of personal space. Cody had dealt with a lot of paparazzi over the years, and some had no qualms about doing whatever they deemed necessary to get the perfect shot.

A protective instinct kicked in, and Cody wrapped his arm around Ivy, tugging her close, using his body to block the photographer. The sweet scent of sugar cookies and vanilla engulfed him.

“Cody, want to introduce me to your girlfriend?” the cameraman called out.

Cody kept walking, hoping the guy would get his picture and take off. That hope was dashed as they crossed the street, and the man followed. He got closer, shoving the camera in their faces.

“You got your shots,” Cody said with a calm and even tone. “Can you leave us alone now?”

He was okay with this entire arrangement, as long as Ivy wasn’t harassed, but this guy was really pushing the boundaries.

“Why the hell would I do that?” The paparazzo stopped in front of them, making them come to a halt. He hit the shutter, the noise echoing around them, making it obvious he had the camera on burst mode.

Cody switched directions, and Ivy managed to navigate the turn with him as he steered them back toward the other side of the street.

“Hey, Cody, still driving under the influence, or are you back on the wagon?” the asshole asked.

Cody’s fist tightened, but the tension in his body eased as Ivy’s thumb ran gently across his knuckles.

---