“You’re very talented.”
“That’s all you.” I leaned onto the bed, kissing her neck before nipping her ear. “Thank you for saying that. I can’t change my past, but I can change my future, and that’s all you.”
She shuddered, and I breathed in the sweet scent of her skin. Jasmine, vanilla, and coffee. “It makes me feel so weird when you talk about high school and have different viewpoints of everything. When you shared that at the bar…it changes things.”
“What does it change?” I slid next to her and discreetly brushed the pretzel crumbs off the sheet. She fell against me so her head rested in my lap.
“Are you sure you’re okay being here? I have so many questions.” She smiled to herself, her eyes closing as she hugged my thigh.
I did what I thought about a million times. I ran my fingers through her hair. It was strange to live out a fantasy, for it to be better than a dream. “Ask your questions, woman.”
“Why did you like me as kid?”
“Same reason I do now.” I fought a smile. “You have this ability to make people feel important and like they matter and not in a hollow way. As a kid who charmed his way through life, had three sisters and a mom, I was always babied. Life was easy for me. I can admit that and not be ashamed. I’m lucky. But nothing, not a thing, made me feel more like I was invincible than you smiling at me or you knowing what I’d need after a bad game. Everyone wanted a piece of me except you. You with your glasses and fierce attitude and grit. I wanted to be better to impress you.”
She sighed, a deep contented hum leaving her chest. “That was nice. I always wondered. I gravitated toward you because you were so authentically yourself. I love that so much about you. You’re just… you. It’s inspiring. I always felt like I couldn’t be my real self because showing weakness of any kind was a no-no. I couldn’t talk about my injury or how it changed my path. And you are so loud and charismatic and kind and can talk to a stranger without worrying about what they think.”
She made me feel like I could fly. Even now. But she didn’t give me a chance to respond before she opened her eyes. “Callum. Do you remember the bet we made at fourteen?”
Drunk Ivy was like a puppy. Changed topics as fast as she blinked. “Ah, no. I love a good bet, but I don’t. I’m assuming you do.”
She bolted up, eyes wide, and grinned at me and shook my arm. “We made a pact that when we were seniors in college, we’d go back to visit during homecoming and check out our old places. Oh my gosh. We have to go. We must!”
Flashes of our childhood hit me.
The top bleachers.
The trail behind the high school that led to a lake.
The drive-in.
The corn fields and silos.
The movie theater parking lot where we’d watch storms roll in.
The 24-hour diner.
I avoided all those spots the last three years because it was heartbreaking.Because Ivy wasn’t there.
“We could do a day trip! Hit the top five places, heck, maybe even visit our old teachers.” She adjusted her glasses and grinned at me, but her smile fell. “You hateit. We don’t go. Silly, silly idea.”
“Hold up, girl.” I cupped her face. “I didn’t say any of that.”
“Your face did!”
“My face sometimes expresses things that aren’t true. It’s a character flaw.”
“You were frowning. I know your frowns, O’Toole.” She poked the spot between my eyebrows. “You despise the idea.”
“Ivy Lee, you gonna let me explain?”
She nodded as she crawled into my lap. I liked her there. I’d prefer she lived there to be honest. “I kinda wanna kiss you.”
She weaved her hands in my hair and leaned forward, brushing her soft lips against mine. Every time she initiated something with me, I felt like a million bucks. She tasted likebeer and cherry lip stuff, and I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue into her mouth.
I wanted to kiss the hell out of her, but she’d drunk too much, and that was a no for me. “Baby.” I stilled her, getting a little groan from her. “You drink the water I left for you?”
“Nope. Didn’t wanna.” She leaned against me, sliding down my chest until she lay completely flat against me. “You are the best pillow. I thought you’d be too hard cause you’re all muscles, but no, you’re warm and soft and safe and comfy. Can I sleep on you?”
