Page 89 of Playing for Keeps
“He’s in Phoenix.”
Her eyes widen. “So, what are you going to do?”
I drop my eyes from hers. “I was going to drive to Phoenix. I just need to know he’s all right,” I say quietly.
“It’s a two-hour drive, Ivy.”
I shrug. “I’ve got a viewing scheduled at his apartment on Monday anyway, so I need to be there for that. If he’s okay with it, I’ll just stay over.” I pause, then add, “I know I might seem crazy, but I can’t sit here pretending everything’s fine when I don’t know if he is.”
She pulls me into a hug. “I don’t think you’re crazy, Ivy.”
“I feel kind of crazy,” I admit.
She leans back and smiles. “Love tends to do that to people.”
“Love?” I echo, caught off guard.
Ash grins. “What else would you call driving two hours just to make sure he’s okay?”
I hesitate. “Friendly concern?”
She laughs. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Love isn’t something I’ve let myself consider, but there’s no denying how strong my feelings for him are. The moment Taylor mentioned he wasn’t well, I felt this pull to go to him; a pull I’ve never experienced before.
“You’re sure you’re okay with me heading out? I know you put this all together for me…”
“Yes. Go,” she says, waving me off. “I’ll tell everyone you weren’t feeling well. Just let me know he’s okay once you get there.”
I nod, wrapping her in another hug. “Thanks, Ash. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Just over two hours later, after getting home from Eden and hastily packing an overnight bag, I pull up outside Wyatt’s apartment. The underground garage requires a fob for entry, so I park at the curb and reach for my phone. The message I sent him earlier is still unread. A knot of unease twists in my stomach as I grab the spare key he gave me for viewings.
I give the concierges a brief wave as I pass through the lobby and make my way to the elevator. As much as I’d rather take the stairs, I don’t have the time today, and my fear of elevators feels trivial compared to everything racing through my mind.
When I reach Wyatt’s floor, I knock on his door, my nerves a tangle in my chest. There’s no answer. Hesitantly, I use the spare key and let myself in.
The television hums softly in the living room, but Wyatt’s nowhere in sight. I’m about to head toward the bedroom when a woman emerges from that direction. She’s wearing nothing but a white button-down shirt, the hem grazing her mid-thigh. Her long blonde hair falls in soft, styled waves over her shoulders, and when our eyes meet, I realize she’s breathtaking. My stomach flips, my breath catches, and tears prick my eyes. I bite the inside of my cheek hard. I don’t want to lose it in front of her.
When she spots me, her brows lift in surprise, lips parting as if she’s about to say something, but I’m already moving. My pulse thunders in my ears as I bolt for the door, silently thanking whatever God left the elevator waiting on this floor. I step inside and frantically press the button for the lobby.
As the elevator descends, I lean against the mirrored wall, my composure crumbling. Tears stream down my cheeks. I feellike such a fool. No wonder he hadn’t answered. He was clearly preoccupied with the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.
Of course he isn’t interested in me.
Whatever happened over the past couple of weeks, it clearly meant more to me than it did to him. I’d let myself get carried away, let the girls’ excitement convince me it was something more. Now, I’m the one left shattered, mourning something that was never really mine. It shouldn’t hurt this much.
But it does.
Because even if it wasn’t real, itfeltit. And losing him, even though he wasn’t mine to lose, still feels like heartbreak.
I stumble out of the building and make my way blindly to the car. I have no idea where I’m going, I just know I need to get away. Anywhere is better than here. I’ve barely gone a few blocks when it hits me that there’s no way I can drive all the way back to Hope Creek like this. My vision is already blurred with tears.
As I pass a hotel, impulse takes over, and I pull into the parking lot. I’m supposed to be back here on Monday for the viewing anyway, assuming he still wants me to handle the listing. There’s no point in going home. I might as well stay.
Once I’ve parked, I reach for my phone, only to jump when it starts ringing in my hand. Wyatt’s name flashes on the screen, and a fresh wave of tears slips down my cheeks.
