I’m in trouble if I can’t convince her to make this real.
I dropped Ivy off at her hotel to see her family and get ready, and by the time I got home I decided to have dinner here. I asked Mrs. Brown to cook, and she was as thrilled about it as I knew she would be. I went to mum’s garden and cut some flowers. I put them in a vase, and while I’m no florist, I think it looks nice.
I’ve showered and changed, and now I’m knocking on her hotel door.
It opens and I’m expecting Ivy, but instead, I look down and find Peter.
“Anizey’s almost ready,” he says before turning and going back to the sofa where Juniper is watching a cartoon I don’t recognize.
“Hey, Alexander,” Val says as she walks into the room.
“Hello—” I begin, but Ivy walks into the room and, despite having seen her in the dress earlier in the day, the breath is stolen from my lungs. She’s worn the green dress and done something with her eye make-up that makes them stand out even more. She’s nothing short of stunning.
“She looks good, doesn’t she?” Val says as I continue to stare.
Ivy shakes her head and grabs her bag. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.” I’ll go anywhere with you. “You look more than good. You’re—” Ivy looks a little uncomfortable and I remember our audience. At least I hope it’s because of the audience, because she is going to have to get used to compliments from me.
I extend my hand to her, and she takes it.
“I’ll see you guys later,” Ivy says, and leads me out the door. And, like I assume our lives would always be if we were truly together, I follow her because my heart leaves me no other choice.
22
Ivy
“Thisisyourhouse,”I say stupidly as I stand by Alex’s car. Instead of parking in the garage, he’s parked by the front door, so I stand there looking at his house instead of the fancy restaurant I’d expected.
“Are you disappointed? I’d intended to take you out when I asked, but the more I thought about it, the more I was excited to have you here where we wouldn’t have to deal with people.”
“So I didn’t need this dress after all.”
“No. You needed the dress.” He gives me an appreciative glance, and I feel warmth flood my cheeks. “And I tried to make dinner nice for an at-home meal. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
My gaze lingers on Alex. “I’m betting there’s not muchthat’s associated with you that could be labeled ‘disappointing.’”
He grins, then leads me inside where we’re met by Mr. Brown. “Good evening, sir. Miss. Your table is this way.”
He turns and walks toward the dining room, and we follow behind him. “Mrs. Brown must have put him up to this,” he leans in and whispers to me. I turn and come face to face with his heavy five-o'clock shadow. I lose my mind and consider reaching up to touch Alex when Mr. Brown startles me.
“Can I get your chair for you, Miss?”
“No.” Alex’s answer was a bit too forceful, making both Mr. Brown and me stare at him comically. “Thank you, Mr. Brown. I’ll take care of it.” He corrects.
“As you wish, sir.”
As you wish.What does he think this is,Downton Abbey? I laugh at myself internally.
Alex pulls out my chair and gestures with a flourish. “My lady.”
Once again, I’m laughing on the inside. I suppose he also has been gettingDownton Abbeyvibes.
“It’s really beautiful in here,” I say, looking around. “Strangely, I feel like I’m in a fancy restaurant.” I grin, reaching out to touch the petals of the blue hydrangea blossom. “This is a beautiful arrangement.”
“Thank you. They’re from my mum’s garden.”
“You made this?” I’m shocked and delighted.
