Page 22 of Playing for Keeps
I shoot her a look. “No. I’m having dinner with my annoying best friend.” She smiles sheepishly. “I’ll reply later.”
She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips. I pretend not to notice and start loading tacos onto my plate. I know she didn’t hear a word I said. But I’ve known her since we were five, so I’m not even surprised. For all her meddling and dramatic plans, I love her. She may be a pushy, overbearing pain sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything.
Thankfully, the rest of the evening passes without any more mention of Wyatt, and for that, I’m grateful. Still, his message echoes in the back of my mind, looping on repeat. What could he possibly want to talk about? If he is cancelling dinner, surely, he would’ve just said so.
I wait until I’m back home, tucked under the covers, before finally replying. It’s late, and there’s a good chance he’s already asleep, but I text him anyway.
Me:Hey Wyatt. I’m free Wednesday night if that works? What did you want to run by me?
I hesitate, then send a follow-up. If he iscancelling on me, I’d rather just rip the band-aid off.
Me:You’re not cancelling dinner on me, are you?
I stare at the screen, and a moment later, the read receipts appear, and then the typing bubbles. Relief washes over me.
Wyatt:I’m definitely not cancelling dinner. Wednesday’s good. Eden, 7pm? I’ll tell you then.
I groan, dropping the phone to my chest. I know I suggested Wednesday, but now he’s not telling me what he wants to say, that feels like days away. And of course, I can’t move anything around. I’ve got a valuation appointment on Tuesday night, so rescheduling isn’t an option. I’ll just have to wait, even though patience isn’t exactly my strength.
Still, I reply.
Me:Eden at 7 works. See you then.
His response comes almost immediately.
Wyatt:Looking forward to it. Night, Ivy.
I smile at the screen.
So am I, even if I have no idea what he’s going to say.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Wyatt
“Hey, can you give me a ride to Eden after dinner?” I ask my dad as I settle into my seat at the dining table.
“Sure,” he says, scooping up a forkful of lasagna. “You meeting up with Seb?”
“Nope. I’m meeting Ivy.”
I catch the way my mom’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Ash’s Ivy?”
I chuckle. “Yes, Ash’s Ivy.”
She grins knowingly. “Why? Something going on between you two?”
“Nothing’s going on,” I reply quickly. “Did you know she works in real estate?”
Her brow furrows. “Of course I did. You didn’t?”
I shake my head. “No clue, but I could use her help.”
“Why do you need a realtor?” my dad asks, curious.
“I’m thinking about buying a place in Hope Creek,” I say. “As much as I love staying here when I’m not in Phoenix, I think it’s time I had somewhere of my own. Somewhere permanent.”
Mom tilts her head. “I thought you loved your apartment.”
