Page 137 of Light My Fire Three Times
“I’m saying, I love you, but sometimes your life is a lot.” Ivy cuts me off, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth despite the worry in her eyes. “I just want to make sure this isn’t a hot mess of Liv’s Crisis of the Week.”
I blink, then snort. “You really think I’m the kind of girl who’d start a three-man relationship as some sort of emotional binge watch?” I raise my hands in mock exasperation. “I mean, maybe I’d try it for the drama, but trust me, there’s real stuff here.”
Ivy softens, her smile fading as she watches me. “So, you’re sure? That this isn’t just… a temporary escape from your chaos? I have to check, because…”
I take a deep breath, my eyes locking onto hers. “I’m sure, Ivy. I’m really sure. It’s not some temporary thing. It’s not a distraction. These feelings… they’re real. With Jesse. With Leo. With Karl. I’m not doing this because my life’s falling apart. I’m doing it because they make me feel whole. They make me feel like I can breathe, like I’m not just caught in this mess.”
Ivy’s lips twitch into a half-smile, though there’s still a touch of skepticism in her eyes. “Okay, okay. You’re not just using them as emotional bubble wrap. Got it.”
“Something like that.”
Ivy takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. “Okay. I’ll stop being a paranoid best friend, and I’ll trust you.” She smiles faintly, but then her expression shifts. “But seriously, if I have to start planning a rescue operation because one of them breaks your heart, I’m going to need a heads up. Especially if it’s mybrother. I amnotgoing to ask questions about how you ended up falling for him of all people.”
I laugh, the tension in my chest easing a little. “Deal. But in the meantime, I’m not asking for any dramatic rescue missions. Just… support.”
“Always.” She hugs me, a little tighter than usual, before pulling back and giving me a sly look. “Now, speaking of support. Christmas Day is coming, and this is your first year in Coyote Glen. Do you want to come to ours to eat?”
I shake my head right away. “No way I’m intruding on your family day. I was actually planning a quiet one this year anyway. No work, no stress, just movies and chill.”
Ivy arches an eyebrow, and I can already see the gears turning in her head. “A quiet Christmas? Are you sure?”
“I think I need the space to breathe,” I admit. “Honestly, with everything that’s happened, I don’t think I’m ready for a big family get-together with the husbands and kids. I think I’ll be better off alone.”
“Okay, well, the offer won’t go anywhere. You know what Freddie is like. I’m sure there will be lots of food.”
I smile weakly at her, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “Thanks, Ivy. I appreciate it, but I think a quiet day is what I need. Just… a little time to reset.”
Ivy studies me for a moment, her expression softening. “I get it. But remember, you’re never really alone, Liv. Not with me around. And not with Jesse, Leo, and Karl. You’ve got a lot of people who care about you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, nodding. “Yeah… I’m starting to realize that.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Leo
DECEMBER 25TH
I never really gave muchof a damn about the holidays. They’ve always been an excuse for people to act happy when they’re not.
I guess that’s the whole point, though, pretend everything’s perfect for a day, and everyone buys in. But today? Today’s different.
There’s something about the snow falling outside Jesse’s cabin and the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the air that makes this whole thing feel real. A little too real for comfort. This isn’t some forced gesture. This is for Olivia.
She deserves this.
We’ve got the whole day planned, breakfast, presents, some ridiculous ice-skating adventure that Karl insists will bring the Christmas magic, whatever the hell that means, and I’m here for it.
Not just because it’s for Olivia, but because it’s our way of saying,we see you.
I can’t help but smile as I walk back into the living room, where the guys are finishing up the last-minute decoration fixing.
Karl’s in the corner hanging mistletoe on a damn mission, even though half of it’s already wilting. Jesse’s in the middle of the chaos, standing back, hands on his hips, surveying the scene, waiting for a round of applause.
But I can already tell that the decorations are… well, not exactly Pinterest-perfect.
There’s a string of lights hanging from the ceiling that looks attacked by a drunk octopus. The tree… don’t even get me started on the tree. It's leaning to the left as if it's had a bit too much eggnog. And the garlands? They’re half-baked at best.
But I know Olivia will be happy, because we’ve tried.
