Page 125 of Play the Last Card
“You, me, a villa in Italy for three weeks.” I tug her closer to me.
“You, me, and … Katie.” She leans away and pouts at me. I stare at her blankly, processing what she’s just told me.
“Katie?”
“She was talking about Grant and being alone this summer, and that he had been messaging her again.” Ivy sits on my thigh, wrapping her arms around my neck and sinking in. Buttering me up. “He’s an ass to her. I don’t want her to go back to him just because she’s sad. So I invited her to come with us for the summer.”
“You think that will stop her getting back with him?”
She shrugs in reply. “Maybe not, but it’ll be fun anyway. She’s my best friend. Please?”
I smile, shaking my head a little. She doesn’t need to say please. “Of course, Ives. You want her to come then she can come along.”
“Love you.” She presses her lips to mine again. Her fingers toy with the hair at the back of my neck. She kisses me once more before getting off my lap. I already miss her. “Oh, hey. You should invite Flynn. That might be fun!”
“Sure. I’ll ask him,” I agree. As much as Katie has become a staple around the house lately, bringing Flynn might keep her occupied while I spend some much-needed alone time with Ivy.
“I can’t wait to get on the plane. The kids this year are exhausting.” She moves around the room, chatting about her day as she changes out of her work dress and into her workout clothes. Our afternoon ritual is a run around the neighbourhood. We run together, and then we shower together.
That’s my favourite part.
She takes a pair of my shorts out of the drawer and throws them my way, silently asking me to change. The velvet box burns a hole in my pocket as I carefully change out of my pants, making sure it doesn’t fall onto the floor.
I’ve been a nervous wreck this past week, since I pulled the ring out of the safe. Every time Ivy goes near my gym bag my heartbeat becomes erratic and my stress levels skyrocket. I was planning on stashing it as soon as she pulled out the suitcases to start packing. I’ve been emailing with the villa owner in Italy for over a month trying to set up a proposal dinner.
The roses.
The candles.
The moonlight.
All of it.
But I woke up this morning and looked over at Ivy. Her hair was fanned out behind her. Her face adorably pressed into her pillow and an arm thrown over my stomach. The golden morning light was casting a warm glow over her and I just knew.
I glanced down at her left hand and was annoyed there wasn’t a ring on it.
So I’m going to change that.
I need to change it.
I need to not only remind her that this is forever, but let the world know she is all mine.
Tonight.
I will ask her tonight.
“Come on.” Ivy tugs on my hand to lead me out of the room. I glance back at my pants on the floor where I’ve left them, ring box still tucked safely in the pocket.
“What are we doing tonight? Do we have plans?” I ask her.
“I want to finish the new season of housewives.” She smiles at me over her shoulder. “The reunion episodes are the best.”
Tonight.
Ivy
I sink back into Scott’s chest, giggling. The housewives are so dramatic and I love them. I feel the gentle shake of Scott’s body against mine and I look up.