Page 94 of Playing for Keeps
“I was scared,” I confess. “Scared that you didn’t feel the same way, and that saying it out loud would ruin everything. You’ve been in my life for years, Ivy, but these past few weeks it’s like something shifted, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop noticing you, and God, I wish I’d realized sooner.”
She doesn’t answer right away, and in the quiet that follows, doubt creeps in. My heart pounds with every second that passes.
Then she speaks so softly it’s almost like she’s afraid to say it out loud.
“I was scared too,” she admits. “Scared I was falling for someone who I had no right to fall for.” She pauses, her eyes fixed on her hands. “But I felt it, Wyatt. In every touch. In every glance you gave me. The way you held me when we danced, I felt it. I just never let myself believe you might feel it too. That you’d see me the way I see you.”
Relief floods through me, like I’ve finally come up for air after holding my breath for too long. I reach over, lacing my fingers with hers.
She bites her lip, her eyes dropping to our joined hands. “I didn’t let myself believe any of it because I didn’t think I belonged in your world.” She lifts her gaze, meeting mine. “I’m still not sure I do. Everyone around you looks like they walked out of a fashion magazine.”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
She arches a brow. “Ronnie and Cleo. They’re gorgeous. You haven’t noticed?”
I shrug. “Not really. Cleo’s good-looking, sure, but she’s a total nightmare.”
She laughs. “Fair point. And I’m pretty sure she hates me.”
I smile. “She doesn’t. She’s just wrapped up in herself. From a PR angle, I’m easier to handle if I’m single.”
She hesitates. “Okay… but Ronnie? She’s stunning.”
“Yeah, and her girlfriend agrees.”
Her smile falters, and she looks down again. “God, I’m such an idiot.”
I reach out, tipping her chin up. “No, you’re not.”
“I kind of am.” She pauses, stopping whatever I was about to say. “Even if I don’t fit into your world… I still want you,” she whispers.
God, hearing those words from her,I want you, undoes something in me. Something I can’t explain.
“Ivy.” I brush my thumb across her knuckles. “You’ve always belonged in my world. I just didn’t realize it until now.”
She smiles, and I smile back before dropping my forehead onto hers.
“Tell me you’re mine,” I whisper.
She pulls back sharply, her palm coming to rest on my forehead.
“Wyatt, you’re burning up,” she says, her voice laced with concern. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I’m fine,” I say, even though I’m clearly not. “I just… I needed to see you. I couldn’t wait. I should have told you I wasn’t coming back to Phoenix today, but I felt so rough that I just crashed.”
She exhales sharply, a mix of frustration and worry etched across her face. “You should be in bed, not chasing after me. I never should’ve walked out of your place.”
I squeeze her hand. “None of this is your fault, Ivy.”
She shakes her head. “It is. If I hadn’t left, you wouldn’t be standing here looking like you’re about to pass out.”
Without waiting for a response, she jumps up and grabs a bottle of water from the dresser, then tosses back the hotel comforter.
“Lie down,” she says, firmly but gently.
I stay perched on the edge of the bed and she kneels in front of me, her eyes scanning my face with quiet worry.
“Please,” she says, her voice softer now. “You need to rest.”
