Page 4 of The Coach

Lauren snorts. “Look at him—guys like that don’t even have to approach women. He’s probably used to women throwing themselves at him.”

I shake my head, studying him. As if on queue, a sorority girl bumps into him and tries to catch eye contact.

He nods politely, and goes back to gripping his cocktail.

“No, he’s...too hot and too...” I struggle to find the words. “Like he should already be taken. He looks too mature for the frat crowd. That beard? That’s not a boy’s beard—that’s a man’s beard.”

Lauren bursts out laughing. “Ivy, did you just refer to his beard as proof of maturity?”

“I’m just saying!” I whisper-shout, my cheeks flushing. “He doesn’t give off ‘single and available’ vibes. He looks like someone’s husband, the kind of guy who’s way too out of my league.”

Lauren rolls her eyes, exasperated. “Ugh, would you stop saying that! Ivy, you’re gorgeous. If anything, you’re out ofhisleague.”

“Well...maybe we’re in the same league,” I say, a hint of a grin tugging at my lips.

“Okay, fine. But your hair looks great tonight. And that dress. Phew. I’m glad you wore it out.”

“Aw, thanks. I made it fancy since I thought I was going to the fundraiser.”

Lauren grins. “Fundraiser’s loss, Cherry Street’s gain.”

Before I can answer, the man shifts, placing his drink down on the bar and turning toward me. My breath catches as we make eye contact. I immediately look away, but he’s walking this way.

“Oh my God,” Lauren whispers, grabbing my arm. “He’s coming over.”

The man crosses the bar, his strides slow and smooth, like he owns the room. I should look away, pretend I’m too busy or distracted, but my eyes betray me, locking on to him like he’s magnetic.

“Oh my God, Ivy,” Lauren hisses under her breath. “He’s comingright here.”

Before I can process what’s happening, he stops in front of me. He’s taller than I expected, his broad shoulders filling out his tux perfectly. His piercing blue eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the noise of the bar seems to fade into the background.

“Hi,” he says, his voice low and smooth, with just a hint of warmth that makes my stomach flip.

“Hi,” I manage to reply, though it comes out softer than I’d planned. Almost a whisper. His gaze holds mine, and I feel pinned in place, my pulse racing.

Up close, I notice little details, like tiny flecks of gray in his beard that make him look even hotter. The kind of hot that’s rugged and refined at the same time, like he could split wood and then recite poetry. My cheeks flush, and I realize my hands are gripping my clutch so tightly my knuckles are white.

I swallow hard. My body feelsheated. My skin tingles like I’m standing too close to a fire, and his calm, self-assured energy isn’t helping. I can’t do this. I can’t talk to this man.

“Gotta go,” I blurt, spinning around so fast I nearly trip over my own feet. I don’t wait for Lauren’s reaction as I push through the crowd toward the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, I grip the sink, staring at myself in the mirror. My reflection doesn’t look panicked, but it feels like my insides are doing somersaults. “What are youdoing?” I mutter to myself, still feeling the lingering heat from that interaction.

The door bursts open behind me, and Lauren strides in, looking both amused and exasperated. “Are you kidding me right now?” she says, folding her arms.

“What?” I ask, still clutching the sink like it might hold me upright.

“What?” she repeats, mocking me. “Ivy, the hottest guy you’veever seenjust walked across the bar to talk to you, and you bolted.Bolted!”

“I panicked!” I say, my voice a little higher than usual. “Did youseehim? He’s too good-looking. Too grown-up-looking. He said hi, and I forgot how toexist.”

Lauren stares at me, her lips twitching like she’s holding back a laugh. “Forgot how to exist? Ivy, he’s aman,not a mythical creature.”

“Debatable,” I mutter. “A guy like that in a bar like this, in this tiny town actuallyisa little mythical.”

Lauren sighs, grabbing my arm. “You might be a little right, but I don’t care. You’re going back out there.”

“No way,” I say, shaking my head.

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