Page 9 of Decked Out with Ivy

Hollywood Heartthrob Cody Chance Spotted Cozying Up with Mystery Christmas Blonde!

“What the…?” He brought the phone back to his ear. “Ronnie, she just is someone who worked at the store. Have my PR team release a statement saying as such.”

“No!” Ronnie blurted out in a very uncharacteristic manner.

“No?”

“Did you read the comments?”

When would he have read the comments? He had just seen the picture.

“People are absolutely loving this. You need all the good PR you can get, and nothing says good and wholesome like a small-town love story while you are filming a small-town love story. Add in Christmas, and this is a PR Godsend.”

“Ronnie.” It was his turn to say no. “Nip this in the bud before it spirals.”

“Cody, stop and think about this. Why did you take the film?”

He closed his eyes, inhaling until he physically couldn’t anymore. Slowly he let out his breath. “Because no one else would send me a damn script.”

“You have been declared difficult, problematic, and every other word that gets you blacklisted in this industry. People need to see you as the kind, loving man I know you are, and what better opportunity to do that than having a love affair with a small-town girl?”

“Except for the little fact that I’m pretty sure that small-town girl hates me. She told Bex’s sister-in-law I was a jerk.”

“Were you?”

“I didn’t think so.”

“You never do. But that’s fine. Put a smile on your face, turn that Cody Chance charm on, and get that girl to go out with you.”

“I’m not going to lie to her and pretend like I want to date her.” He didn’t want to date anyone. One of the reasons—there were several—-he was in the predicament he was, all revolved around his last relationship. It’s when he swore off actresses, then took it a step farther and swore off women altogether. He didn’t think he’d be able to stay celibate for long, but for now, it had been working. Or maybe it hadn’t. It would explain why Ivy kept popping into his damn head.

“Then don’t lie to her. Tell her the truth. Make a deal. I don’t give a shit as long as you two keep making the tabloids so the people can continue to fall in love with you again.”

“Ronnie—”

“I don’t want to hear it. Make this happen, Cody. I’ve put my neck on the line for you. It’s the least you can do.”

Before he could even manage another word, the line went dead.

Fuck.

His hand fell from his ear, and he glanced at his phone. The picture of him and Ivy stared back at him. Ivy might hate him, but Ronnie was right. She had put her neck on the line for him, and he owed her big time.

After this shoot, he would find Ivy and not take no for an answer.

Chapter 4

The sound of Santa saying,Ho, Ho, Hoechoed from Ivy’s bag. She fished in her bag for her cellphone. The notification sounded again,Ho, Ho, Ho,and again. She clicked into the family group chat that consisted of her parents, sister, three cousins, and aunt and uncle.

The picture of her and Cody stared back at her with a slew of messages that were still rolling in. She’d seen the photo first thing this morning when Brooke and Louise had sent it to her. Then three more times when she checked her emails. She was headline freaking news. Absolutely asinine news.

She inhaled and let it out slowly as she read the incoming messages one by one.

Cynthia: How do you know Cody Chance?

Poppy: Seriously. I’m away for a week and you’re rubbing elbows with Hollywood elite!?

Uncle Richard: Lucy has some explainin’ to do.

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