Preston just shrugs and gives me a sexy smirk as he turns to the shore.
That smirk is dangerous. I’m starting to crush on Preston Fields.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Preston
April 16
“Gabrielle said she could talk this morning,” Ivory says when I pass her the coffee cup.
She’s nestled in her corner of the couch. Something shifted in Ivory after paddle boarding. It’s like an invisible barrier fell without me knowing it. We have stopped holding each other at arm’s length, gravitating closer physically and emotionally without conscious thought. Physical touch is a new development but I’m not mad about it.
When we settle in to watch our show or a movie from Ivory’s list of movies I have to watch, she stretches out on the couch with her legs in my lap. I can’t resist touching her. Whether it be stroking her calves, brushing against her when we get close, or touching her hands or arm during conversation, I can’t get enough of her.
“Great, I can use the help. I like giving back but normally the team or my agent just tells me where to show up or what needs the most attention. This is a whole new ball game. You’ve really inspired me, Ivory.”
“Gabby will be able to help. She’s a lawyer for the Nashvillebaseball team. If there’s something the league is doing, she would know about it. If not, maybe she will have some ideas.”
“Meeting the friends, I like it.” I wink at her. Ivory blushes and ducks her head.
“Strictly business.” Her voice is raspy as she says it, averting her eyes.
I smile seeing her reaction. The knowledge I affect her is heady. I’m going to do everything I can to break down that wall she still has around her heart. If I need to use her friend to do it, so be it. I’m getting tired of ignoring this thing between us.
“Have you decided what’s next?” When Ivory isn’t coordinating with fellow actors on the pandemic relief efforts, she has been writing, but she hasn’t said more since the night by the fire. “You haven’t said anything else about acting or your project.”
“I’ve actually decided to go all in on the new script I mentioned. I’m not sure where it will lead but the island has inspired me, I guess.” She shrugs, sending me a small smile.
“That’s great.”
“I don’t know. It’s still very rough.”
“You’ll find it.”
“Find what?”
“Your voice.” Linking our fingers together, I wait until Ivory brings her blazing green eyes to mine. “It’s in there. You just have to let her out.”
I could lean in. Right now, I could lean in and kiss those perfect lips. I could know what it’s like to taste Ivory Crenshaw. Instead, Ivory breaks eye contact, taking a sip of her coffee. Defeat settles in my chest at the missed opportunity.
When the silence continues and I think she isn’t going to respond, Ivory speaks softly. “Thank you for believing in me.”
The defeat turns to a dagger slicing me open. It kills me she’s so unsure of herself. If only she saw herself the way I see her. Brilliant. Capable. Intelligent. Before I can tell her all the ways I believe in her, Ivory’s phone rings, interrupting our moment.
“I should get that.” Ivory sits up answering the call on her MacBook instead, so we can video with her friend.
“Hello, my long-lost best friend,” Gabrielle says as the video call connects. “And who do we have here?” She questions when she notices me sitting beside Ivory.
“Gabby, this is Preston.”
“Oh, I know who he is. That was a rhetorical question. Preston Fields, how are you?”
“I’m good. It’s nice to meet you, Gabrielle. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Ivory may call her Gabby but she doesn’t know me. Until I get to know her better or she tells me I can, I won’t use the nickname Ivory uses for her best friend.
“It better all be good or I’ll be holding a grudge for ages.”
I laugh but Ivory says, “Gabby can hold a grudge forever. No one wants to be on her bad side. Just ask Tay’s brother.”
