Page 77 of Sliding Into Love

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WHAT IF SHE HATES ME

If she hates you, you’ll know it immediately.

But she won’t hate you. She’ll love you.

I AM FREAKING OUT

If you stop freaking out, I’ll make pizza this weekend…

And I’ll make you come, too.

HOMEMADE PIZZA?!?!??

if I lie and say I’m not freaking out will you do it anyway?

Maybe…

okay deal??

How though?

How what?

how will you make me come?

Which time?

Ivy had to put her phone down to catch her breath or she’d do something indecent at the park.

Ethan?

Yeah?

Thanks. This helped. this is why I keep you around.

You only want me because I make you pizza? Thanks. ??

not just that! you're pretty too. ??

That’s encouraging.

Why are you REALLY freaking out?

She didn't want to tell him. It was stupid, but she felt how she felt. It had always been there, that tiny, nagging feeling. Of not belonging, of not being good enough. Particularly being with Ethan, especially after seeing his mother, who happened to be the owner of a massive sports agency and a fuckingheiress. And it wasn’t Ethan making her feel that way, that was all Ivy.

But it stung, nonetheless.

Ivy typed and retyped her answer, knowing the three little dots disappearing and reappearing on Ethan’s end must have been driving him crazy, not wanting to give him her answer, but also wanting to relieve the aching pressure gathering in her chest.

She sent her answer knowing Ethan would hate it.

After a few minutes, her phone vibrated with a call. When she picked up, Ethan’s voice was rough in a way she’d never heard before.

“Ivy, don’t talk down to yourself. If anything,you’retoo good forme.”

“Don’t you start,” she snapped. “Nobody’s too good for anybody. That’s not how this works.”

“You’re right. It’s not.”

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