“Hopefully I freaked her out enough. Maybe she’ll stay away for good now,” she says.
“Let’s hope,” I reply, but then she glances away, a strange look on her face. She starts to look around, feigning interest in the games, and rides.
“Hey,” I say, poking her in the side. “What’s up?”
“Hmm?” she asks, whipping her head to me, clearly being knocked out of whatever train of thought she was on.
“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”
“What? Oh, nothing.” She flails her hand and laughs, a little manically, and I start to get nervous.
“Ivy, tell me,” I playfully scold, gently tugging on a strand of her hair.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” She does the laugh again. “I’m sure that happens to you all the time.”
“What does?” I ask, tilting my head in confusion.
“Girls falling at your feet. I bet you get asked out all the time. As Rose says, you’re disgustingly handsome, and as I’ve said, you have the body of a Greek god.” The laugh.Again.“I mean, I want to climb you like a tree. You’re literally the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. I’m sure everyone else thinks so too. I bet you have to beat them away with a stick. Or maybe not. You know, whatever tickles your fancy. I’m sure you have lots of experience with the ladies,” she rambles, wiggling her eyebrows at me suggestively.
I blink rapidly, shaking my head and trying to process everything that just tumbled out of her mouth. She just stares at me with wide eyes, and her awkward flat smile. Why the fuck is she talking about me with other women? I only want one woman, and she’s currently pressed up against me.
Like a bolt of lighting it hits me.
Her ex.
Hercheatingex.
My expression softens, and I reach up to brush her hair behind her shoulders. I cradle her head in my hands, gently stroking her jawline with my thumb. Her shoulders relax, and she leans into my hands, closing her eyes at the feel of my touch.
“Ivy.”
She opens her eyes and locks her gaze with mine.
“You don’t ever have to worry about that with me, okay? I only want you. I’m with you, and only you. You hear me? I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but I’m pretty desperate for you.”
Ivy takes a deep breath, and lets out a self deprecating laugh, covering her eyes in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. Yes, I know you wouldn’t do that. I trust you, I do. I was just taken off guard by the mention of a woman hitting on you. I guess I hadn’t considered other women being a component and I just spiraled for a second. I don’t have the best record when going up against other women,” she responds.
I rub up and down her back, trying to soothe her. Fuck that stupid prick for ever making her feel like she wasn’t enough, or less than anybody else. Ivy is everything. No one will ever be better than her, and that fact is fucking scary to think about.
“Other women are not a component. It’s you, Ivy. Only you. Do you understand?” I say more seriously.
She meets my eye again, and lets out a deep sigh, “Yes.”
“You better.” I tease, and give her ass a light squeeze.
“Daddy!” Lilah yells across the field.
I follow her voice, and see my daughter floating through the sea of people on Lincoln's shoulders, hands full of cotton candy. Ivy reluctantly pulls out of my grasp, and I miss her warmth immediately. The look on her face isn’t rejection, per say, but it’s not a thrilled one either. I don’t know how to navigate this. When or how do I decide to tell Lilah about us?
It’s only been a day, but I’m already questioning how long I can keep this under wraps.
Lincoln makes his way over, weaving through the crowd until he’s at our side.
“We're all going on the Ferris wheel!” she says through a mouthful of fluffy candy.
“Oh, yay!” Ivy says, looking genuinely excited.
Lilah bends down, reaching her arms out to Ivy. Ivy takes her from Lincoln's shoulders, and gently places her on the ground, stealing a chunk of cotton candy.
