“I feel like I could pass out.” He takes a long drink of his old fashioned.
My cheeks pinch from smiling. I know everyone walking the carpet gave a sizable donation to the charities and I can’t wait to see what the totals are at the end of the night. The amount of good we’ll be able to do is overwhelming in the best way.
Holland pulls me in for a kiss and then the room goes feral. People may have known who Theo and Locke were, but whoever on the screen has people jumping up and down, getting their phones out to take photos.
Tripp Owens and Willow.
“No way! There is no way!” I stand and scream, joining in the awe. Everyone claps and cheers.
Tripp, Super Bowl champion and MVP, stands in a timeless black suit with a blue pocket square—matching the blue of his team, the Upstate Cosmos. Willow, global-pop-superstar and my absolute favorite musician, wears a gold sequin dress which hugs her silhouette perfectly.
How in the world did Sparks pull this off?
I cover my mouth and watch as Tripp and Willow make me lightheaded with how sweet they are together. Tripp says something to Willow that makes her laugh, and even from here, you can tell she means it. They’ve been all over the media ever since they started dating, but I love how Tripp is a fan. There’s the cutest video of him dancing, doing the actual tour choreography, while Willow performed the halftime show, and Tripp was supposed to be warming up.Swoon.
When the two of them walk forward, I reach for Holland’s hand, and put the other on my chest. The entire room goes quiet, knowing what’s coming next.
“Sorry to hear you’re stuck out west. We were looking forward to meeting you,” Tripp says as Willow gives a little wave. “I put you on the suite list for the next season. Anytime you want to see an Upstate Cosmos game, tickets are yours.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Holland shouts while looking at me. “Maybe we should move to New York,” he jokes and I bump into his shoulder and “shhh” him.
“Ivy, I’m sure we’ll cross paths when you make it to a game, but I left some merch and a couple signed vinyl records for you. Stella didn’t know which albums were your favorites, so she checkedwith Vivian. If we didn’t get it right, let me know. Hope to see you soon,” Willow blows a kiss as she walks out of the frame.
I can’t breathe. There is no air in this room. How do I continue after this?
Willow comes back, “Oh yeah, there’s concert tickets in there, too.”
The room erupts and I don’t think my legs will hold me up much longer.
Holland stands and turns me to him, “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I think I died dead just now.” He laughs, hugs me, and I still can’t compute what just happened.
“Looks like we’ll have to make some trips to New York for those home games,” Holland says while holding me.
“I guess so.” I wonder if this is what shock feels like. I know every word to every song by Willow. I’ve been trying to get tickets to her new tour and haven’t been successful. There are no words.
Not just for the thing with Willow and Tripp, but everything. Holland putting this together, Bea jumping in, Viv standing in for me in New York. It feels like I have all these people in my corner and that’s not something I take lightly.
I sit down and take a drink of my French 75. Holland watches me, a smile on his face that could light this room.
“Thank you,” I murmur. Tears are in my eyes, but no one is surprised.
“This was nothing. Just a good idea,” Holland says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
I shake my head, “Not just this, for everything. You make my life so much better.”
Holland tips my chin with his fingers, and catches my eyes with his. His caramel eyes on me, flip my stomach, and slow down time. It's like he'staking in all of me—every piece and flaw. Before Holland, this type of look would have me running for the hills, trying to hide parts of myself I didn't think were for show. With Holland, nothing is off limits. He doesn't judge and he loves me through it all.
He leans his forehead to mine, and says, “But then there’s you. You, just, make my life.”
And he kisses me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Holland
Tonight was absolutely perfect.I go to send Viv a text but before I can hit send, her message comes through. Great minds and all of that.
