“Are you needy? This is unexpected.” She snorted, but her eyes warmed and swirled with amusement. “I do have plans tonight, but I could probably find time for you tomorrow.”
“Done. Tomorrow, you, me, the shelter.”
“Sounds awesome.”
You’re being weird. Just leave. Stop staring at her.
“I love… this, Ivy. Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she adjusted her glasses. “You’re worth it. Now, get out.”
I laughed, tapped the door twice, and left her room without anyone seeing me. I had the best night of my life, my girl was smiling, and we had plans the next day. No wonder Dean and Luca were so damn happy. If this was how they lived, I got it.
I just couldn’t mess it up.
21
IVY
My palms dampened as I stood outside a bar Tuesday evening. Esme ensured me this was a rite of passage, but my nerves were a mess. It was ironic almost. That I could stand in a room full of football guys and not feel a blip of worry. But attending Callum’s girls’ night with him?
So many nerves.
Rationally, I knew he’d never let them make me feel weird or less than or uncomfortable. He surrounded himself with good people, but there was a huge difference between high school and now.
Like the fact we were dating? And sleeping together? And he consumed my every thought?
“I can do this.” I wiped my hands on my jeans and adjusted the crop top. I met Lorelei already and really liked her. If she’d be there, then I could talk to her. Damn. For someone who didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, it seemed so wild to me that Callum had so many.
How did he have the time? How did he have the brain capacity to be a good friend to them?
“Ivy, hey!”
I spun and smiled at Lorelei. She waved at me with a huge grin. Her curly hair went in every direction, and she just looked like a breath of fresh air. “Hi.”
Shit. My face flushed. My voice came out a little timid. I refused to be timid. “Good to see you again.”
“No, no, that’s my line.” She walked up and weaved her arm through mine. “It is so good to see you. Are you kidding me? Callum’s long-lost best friend turned into theonlywoman he’s ever been this into? We are obsessed with you.”
I snorted.
“Lo.” Callum’s familiar voice neared us, and a large hand landed on my waist.
It didn’t matter that we’d kissed a lot and slept together. The feel of his hand, the possessive grip, sent my heart racing and my stomach swooping. He bent down and kissed my neck before pulling me out of Lo’s grip.
“Hey, baby.” He rested his chin on my head. “Is Lo being nice to you?”
“Callum, I am always nice.”
“You are spicy. That’s different.”
Lo rolled her eyes, but her smile never left her face. “Ivy and I get along just fine. Was just telling her how nice it is to see you obsessed with her.”
“Oh yeah, well, that’s true.” Callum tugged me closer. My heart swelled at the motion. “So, the girls’ nights are fun. There is an ongoing agenda that everyone has to report on.”
“It’s ridiculous but so fun.” Lo opened the door to the bar and ushered us in. Callum kept his arm and hand on me the entire time.
Even as we slid into the booth, he made sure to press right against me so our thighs touched. I knew attraction dipped. It was fact. The hot fire would simmer eventually, but I wasn’t sureit’d be the case with Callum. Everything he did made my body react.
