Page 87 of Playing for Keeps
She starts to sit up, and my hand slips away from her arm.
“I’ll take you,” I say. “I’ve only had one beer.”
She glances over at me. “You’re sure?”
I nod. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I shut off the TV as she slides her shoes back on, then trails after me into the kitchen, carrying her empty wine glass.
“I don’t think I thanked your parents for dinner,” she says, setting the glass on the counter. “Will you tell them for me?”
“Of course.”
We’re both quiet during the short drive to Ivy’s. When I pull into her driveway, she hesitates for a moment before turning slightly toward me in her seat.
“I had a really good time tonight,” she says.
I smile. “Me too, Ivy.”
Her hand moves toward the door handle, and I reach for my seatbelt. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
She looks at me, surprised. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” I say simply, already climbing out.
We meet at the front of the car and walk together up the porch steps. She unlocks the door and pushes it open but doesn’t go inside just yet.
“You’re heading to Phoenix tomorrow, right?” she asks.
“Yeah. Training sessions at the stadium.”
She nods, her voice quieter. “I’ll see you when you’re back, then. I’ll keep you posted about the garage situation on that house.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
A silence settles between us, thick with the weight of everything unsaid. I hold her gaze, my chest tight with the acheto kiss her, to just tell her what this is for me. But instead, I step in and press a soft kiss to her cheek.
“Night, Ivy.”
“Night, Wyatt.”
She steps inside, her eyes on mine until the very last second. The door closes with a click, and a moment later, I hear the lock slide into place. I let out a long breath and head back down the steps.
“Fuck,” I mutter, standing beside the car but making no move to get in. My eyes shift to her house again, my heart hammering.
Why can’t I just say it? Tell her what she means to me? I know she felt something tonight. I’m not imagining that. No one else has ever gotten under my skin like she does.
But the words stay stuck in my throat, and instead of going to her, I slip behind the wheel and drive off, even though leaving is the last thing I want.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ivy
It’s Saturday lunchtime, and Ash has planned a late birthday get-together with everyone in Eden. Even Sophie and Cade are bringing Hunter along for an hour, which is why we’re meeting earlier than usual. Paisley and Nash are both off too, so it’ll be nice to have the whole group together. It doesn’t happen very often with everyone’s busy schedules.
The person I’m most excited to see is Wyatt. I haven’t seen him since Tuesday, when we viewed that house just outside Hope Creek. He’s been in Phoenix, and I’ve missed him. I sent him a message on Wednesday to let him know someone wanted to view his apartment on Monday, but aside from that, we haven’t spoken.
