That’s the question my therapist asked when we talked about the potential offer.
I still don’t have an answer.
I do know that I can’t keep this from Ivy much longer. While the lodge is my family legacy, she’s part of my family, and I could never make this decision without her.
At first, I thought the whole Greater When Green thing was bullshit; that there’d be nothing to share about the odd encounter with the man when I was in the bar. With each meeting, email, further discussion, I then didn’t know how to bring it up.
That’s what tonight was for, but she was spiraling. I know she can take care of herself, but I remember what she was like when we first met: striving for perfection, no matter how much of herself it took.
I know this event it’s important, but Ivy keeping herself whole is a non-negotiable.
Grabbing my phone from the table, I text Vivian.
Me
hey can you keep an eye on ivy
she just left the office bad day
Vivian
you don’t even have to ask
I’ve got her
I like that you checked though
At least being back in New York means Ivy has Vivian. If I’m not able to be there to support Ivy, she's the next person I’d pick. Hell, she might be my first pick, depending on the situation.
Note to self: stay in Vivian’s good graces. That woman terrifies me. Even from the first time I met her, a quick trip to the lodge when Ivy got stuck here. She has a way of talking that makes you want to sit straight and listen but she's also capable of being the life of the party.
Slate cries by the door, pawing at his leash. He’s never been shy about what he wants. I wish I was more like Slate in that way.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ivy
11 DAYS UNTIL REDCARPET EVENT
Snow blankets the sidewalks and streets as the sun peeks over the skyline. I step out from the warmth of my apartment building, and inhale a slow, long breath—letting the chill of the morning invade my lungs. I tilt my face to the sky; fat flakes showing no sign of stopping, as they pepper my nose and cheeks.
I’m still not one to load up on outdoor activities but I’ve always loved the snow. Winters in New York are different than out west. Some people might wake up and see snow and think it’s another thing they have to deal with, but it’s something that immediately lifts my mood.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Vivian interrupts my snowy moment of gratitude. “I told you I’d come up since it’s freezing out here.” She shivers.
“You didn’t need to! I love this weather.” I wrap her up in a hug.
She tolerates me for a few seconds. “Less standing, more walking to yoga.” She’s already two steps ahead of me, eager to get out of the chilled air.
Yoga is only four blocks from my place and I swear Viv would take a cab if I didn’t beg her to walk.
“Give me the rundown on the event. How are we doing?” She tightens the checkered scarf around her neck, her short blonde hair pulled back in the cutest ponytail. Viv changes her hair, cut and color, like it's nothing. Of course she can pull everything off, from the long jet black layers to a red pixie cut she had a few years back.
Viv is such a trooper. She’s heard me talk about this thing up and down for months now. She knows it, inside and out, and is a great sounding board when I’m stuck. I go through all the solutions I found in the last two days. We’re still loading in content, and not trusting a scheduler, but everything else seems like it’s back to where it should be, or there’s at least a back up plan.
“Ah! Also approved the ice sculpture and you’ll be happy to know it’s starch free.” I bump my winter coat padded shoulder into Viv’s.
The rice sculpture has turned into an inside joke, one I don’t think I’ll ever get over.
