Page 108 of Playing for Keeps
She tucks her hair behind her ear, still smiling. “Red wine, please.”
“Be right back,” I say, brushing my fingers over her shoulder as I head inside, feeling happier than I have in a long time.
Ivy
I watch as Wyatt disappears into the house, the rest of the guys trailing after him. Once they’re out of sight, I glance at Ash, and she has a huge smile on her face. She throws her arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug.
“You look so happy, Ivy,” she says as she leans back, her eyes searching mine.
“I am happy,” I say, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face.
“Okay, tell us everything,” Sophie urges, cradling a sleeping Hunter in her arms.
I nod. “I will, but only if I get a cuddle first,” I say, holding out my arms for Hunter.
“Deal.” Sophie laughs, slowly standing to pass him to me.
Hunter stirs a little as I settle him in my arms, but a few gentle bounces soothe him right back to sleep.
“He’s so perfect,” I whisper, tracing a finger along the softness of his cheek.
“Now, spill!” Taylor grins, and I can’t help but laugh when I look up to find all four of them watching me with eager eyes.
I spend the next few minutes catching them up on everything that’s happened since I left Eden and went to Wyatt’s place. No one interrupts me. They’re completely transfixed, hanging on every word. I’ve been on the other side of this so many times, sitting with each of them as they shared the thrill of falling for someone new. I used to wonder if I’d ever be the one telling that story. And now that I am, part of me still can’t quite believe it’s happening.
“He looked smitten, Ivy,” Sophie says when I’m done. “He couldn’t keep his hands off you.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “That’s actually why we were late,” I admit. “Sorry, Ash,” I say sheepishly. “I know he’s your brother.”
She waves a dismissive hand. “I’m used to it! Every one of you is with one of my brothers!”
Laughter breaks out around us.
“But everything’s good?” Sophie asks, wiggling her eyebrows with a teasing grin.
I laugh, knowing exactly what she’s getting at without her needing to say it out loud.
“Amazing,” I say, smiling. “We haven’t slept together yet.” I glance at Ash, who reaches out and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. She’s the only one who knows I’ve never been with anyone before. “But… if it’s anything like the rest of this... God, I can’t wait.”
The girls all burst out laughing again.
“What’s so funny?” Seb asks as he steps out of the house and takes a seat beside Taylor.
“Nothing,” she replies, kissing him sweetly. “Just girl stuff.”
I glance up right as Wyatt walks outside. The moment our eyes meet, butterflies flutter to life in my stomach. He smiles,and when his gaze moves to Hunter cradled in my arms, his smile grows even softer.
He crosses the patio and takes a seat beside me, placing a glass of red wine on the table. Then he leans in and presses a kiss to my lips before turning his attention to the baby in my arms.
“How’s my nephew doing?”
I grin. “He’s perfect.”
“Yeah, he is,” Wyatt says, reaching out to trace a finger over Hunter’s tiny hand. The baby instinctively curls his fingers around Wyatt’s, and I catch the quiet breath he takes as his smile grows.
“Looks like someone’s already a fan of Uncle Wyatt,” I say, leaning closer. “Want to hold him?”
“Yeah,” he says, nodding.
