She shrugged, not quite looking at me. My mom was strange like that. Nonchalant. That was why it was so weird when my dad did what he did. My mom was so whatever about it. Mad? Yes. But she kept on living her life, which made my dad even angrier.
I admired that about her, and that was a part of the reason I acted that way. I could do that now. Seem unflummoxed. Yeah, my career was done, and I’d live in a living room for twelve weeks and barely see Ivy or the team. I could… binge-watch shows. Eat what I wanted.
Silver linings, baby. I had to focus on them, even if my chest tightened with dread and unease. Who was I gonna be without football? I could still be me, chaos and energy and teamwork, but what did that look like now?
A blip, a tiny flash of excitement hit me. I was ready to find out what else there was.
“Thank you so much for getting him down here!”
I knew that voice.Ivy.I snapped my gaze to my left where she approached wearing an all-black dress that hung above her knees. It hugged her body, and her glasses slid down her nose. Fuck. She was beautiful.
“Your mom helped me out.” She blushed before bending down and kissing me on the cheek.
Lilac and sunshine and fresh-cut grass greeted me, along with her delicate perfume. I gripped her hand, suddenly not worried about a damn thing anymore. She was here.
“How are you doing?” She cupped my face and knelt to be eye to eye with me. Her green ones were like the color of a forest, vibrant and dark. “I’m so sorry I got here so late!”
“No.” I shook my head, overcome with emotion. I held it together for everyone else all the time, but around Ivy I could be me. My voice cracked. “How was the interview?”
She grinned before letting out a squeal. “It was amazing, Callum. Amazing. We get along so well and have the same vision for increasing women in sports. He’s looking for people who want to grow with the organization. Gah!”
Bam.Just like that, my worries went away.
“Fuck yeah, baby.” I pulled her into my lap, not caring that my mom was right there or nurses were around us. I kissed her jaw, then her cheek. “So you got the job?”
“I don’t know yet, but it feels like I did? He said he’d call tomorrow.” She kissed me hard, right on the mouth. “My adrenaline is flying. I have all this chaotic energy I need to get out.”
Is she insinuating… damn.
I arched a brow, and she wiggled hers. My god, she was perfect. “That’s amazing. I am so proud of you. I knew you’d kill it.”
She slid off me, sadly, before giving my mom a side hug. “I got it from here. It was so nice catching up with you.”
“You too, hon.” My mom met my gaze over Ivy’s shoulder, and my mom looked happy. Proud, even. “Seeing you two together is the best thing I’ve witnessed in years. Let me know once he’s settled, and we can find another weekend to get together.”
“That sounds perfect.” Ivy beamed before waving at my mom’s retreat. She disappeared toward the parking lot, leaving Ivy and I in the circle. “I have a favor to ask you.”
“Anything. As long as it doesn’t require me standing.” I glanced up at her as she pushed the wheelchair. “What is it?”
“Maybe it’s not a favor. It might be forgiveness.” She chewed the side of her lip before winking at me. “I took a chance and did something.”
My gut swirled with unease, but I trusted her. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s fine.”
“I don’t know.” She stopped in front of my car.
How does she have my car?
“Ivy…”
She leaned against the passenger side door, the sun hitting her just right. She was stunning. Her full lips and intense eyes, perfect body with scars that showed her strength. My future wife stared at me with mischief, and I was here for it.
“Are you not wearing anything under your dress?”
“Callum!” She blushed and swatted me. “No, of course I am. I’m at a hospital.”
“That’s a dumb reason. We’re all wearing onesies with our butts exposed, so that’s not a legit excuse.”
I loved her blush, but her little giggle was even cuter.
