Page 28 of Ivy

“It’s Playstation and XBox,” he corrects politely. “Yes, I do play them.”

“Oh, I’m not in touch with all that techno stuff. Come with me and I’ll show you to where all the kids are playing in a room we set up.” She offers Carter her hand and he looks up at me.Me.Now that action makes the heart swell.

“Can I, Luke?” Damn, this boy is making a beast like me, melt.

“Yeah, go on, but behave, okay.”

“Will do, thanks.” He takes my mum’s hand and they walk away. I feel Peaches’ hand slip into mine and give it a gentle squeeze, letting me know she is happy with what just went down.

“Well, Ivy, you have a good boy there. Very well mannered. You don’t see that much these days,” Dad says.

“Thank you.” Ivy blushes a little, God, she is too fucking sweet.

“Why don’t you go and introduce Ivy to your nan and your sisters. They have been on pins waiting for you all to get here. Go and put them out of their misery.” Dad chuckles.

“Okay, see you in a bit.”

“It was good to meet you, Mr, Baker.”

“Oh, none of that Mr. Baker crap. Gary, please.” Ivy smiles and nods at him. I take her hand and lead her over to find my crazy grandmother. I find her sitting on a fucking throne. Of all the things she could do, this is something I didn’t expect. But then again, I should have guessed she would do something like this, it isn't her natura to not want to be in the spotlight.

“Nan, or should we call you Queen Nan for the night?” I question.

“Don’t you be mouthy to me in front of your lady friend. I can still put you over my knee, boyo,” Nan admonishes, making Peaches chuckle.

“I would like to see you try,” I goad.

“Oh, you little runt. Come here and give your nan a big kiss.” I step closer and wrap my arms around her frail frame, hugging her tightly—well, as tightly as you can hug a ninety-year-old lady. My nan always smells of lavender. I pull away and she eyes Ivy, letting her gaze travel over her body, her eyes narrowing.

“So, how much did he pay you?” Nan asks. I choke on the air in my lungs. Holy shit.

“Excuse me?” Ivy gasps.

“You heard me, girl. Or are you deaf?”

“NAN. Fucking hell.” I run my hand through my hair. I am dreading looking at Ivy. I know she was uncomfortable with coming here anyway, and now that my nan has open her big fat gob, this will push her over the edge.

“Ohmygod,” Peaches mutters behind her hands as they cover her face. I can see she’s turning red; her neck is pretty much the same colour as a fucking lobster. I snap my gaze back to my nan and let her know that she’s hurt Ivy’s feelings.

“What? I was only asking because there is no way on God’s green earth that you can snag a girl like her.” Nan looks rather proud of herself when she says this.

“Holy shit,” I say, completely at a loss for words.

“Nan, you did not just say that to Ivy,” Alice adds.

“Hell yes, I did. I want to know. I am genuinely intrigued about how much she got paid to spend time with my slut of a grandson. I know you all want him to settle down, but with the way he can't keep his cock in his pocket, there’s no wonder he can’t catch a decent girl.”

“Bloody hell, Nan. Ivy is my girlfriend. I didn’t pay her anything.”

“If you say so.” This woman will be the death of me, I swear.

“Peaches, tell her. Please,” I plead to my girl. I hook my arm around her waist and pull her snug against me. She fits against my body like she was always meant to be there.

“He didn’t pay me to be here.” She winks at my nan, and I hold my breath as to what she will say next. “Well, not with money, anyway.”

“I KNEW IT,” my nan cries out. People look in our direction, and I drop my gaze to the wooden floor, shaking my head.

“Nan, she’s pulling your leg, for Christ sake. Peaches, please, tell her the truth. I really don't want to be known as the Baker grandson that had to pay a girl to be with him.” I drop my head to the top of hers and breathe in her scent. I know I’ll be fighting to keep my hands off her tonight. She showered before getting ready and used the peach bodywash I bought for her.

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