I smile when I feel her smile. It’s contagious.
This moment might not be one of full happiness, but I hope she realises that this changes nothing and I’m not going to bail at the first hurdle.
Life isn’t easy, but being with Ivy is.
Falling for her is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
CHAPTER 41
IVY THOMPSON
When it’s our turn to get off the Ferris wheel, I exhale a silent sigh of relief. It was difficult telling JJ the truth, but I immediately felt better for it—he deserved to know.
He listened, he asked questions,hereassured me.
He makes me feel seen.
But as we reach the bottom, reality slowly begins to slap me in the face. The bubble around us now bursts, and my heart weeps.
JJ helps me out, and I thank him. He glances over his shoulder briefly before landing a quick kiss on my lips. I’m smiling as soon as I feel the warmth of his skin. “I wish we could stay here all night,” he murmurs against me, lips slipping downwards with disappointment.
“Me too,” I admit, enjoying the rawness of his blue eyes.
As we exit the ride, JJ pulls his hand away from mine, and my fingers turn to ice cubes. I wrap my arms over my chest as the night comes creeping in, the sun slowly setting and lighting up the sky with the most perfect shade of orange.
“There you are!” I hear from behind me.
I whip my head to find Daisy, Isaac, and Harriet approaching us. My mouth morphs into a forced smile as I see them, my heart hammering in my chest because I know I’m standing right beside JJ.
“Where have you been?” she asks as she slinks an arm over my shoulder.
I quietly clear my throat. “I went to the toilet; the queue was long. Then I bumped into JJ for a bit.”
Daisy glances up at JJ, who has his hands shoved into his pockets, smiling down at us. She muffles a laugh. “Yeah, ‘bumped’...sure.” I glance up at her to find her winking at me.
I twist my head and look over at Isaac and Harriet, who are talking to each other, but Isaac catches my eye and offers me a timid smile. “Let’s go get a drink,” I say.
“Hell yeah,” Daisy cheers as we walk towards the bar.
JJ tags along with us, and Finn is already there with two beers in hand, Joel and Cal beside him. My chest tightens at the drinks he’s holding, and I pray he doesn’t go crazy tonight.
Finn beckons us over and asks JJ where he’s been. I try not to listen in on the conversation, but JJ mutters something about a call, and he didn’t realise how long he was gone.
I grab a drink with Daisy when my brother appears at my side. The stench of beer wafts into my nose, and that’s when I know he’s drunk. I curse to myself when he beams at me with a wonky smile.
“Why are you intoxicated already?” I ask.
Finn scoffs. “I’m having fun, Iv. Lighten up.”
I bite down on the inside of my cheek before I make him worse.
“So are you coming to the house party tonight?” he asks.
Daisy’s eyes light up. “Party?”
“Fuck yeah,” he slurs. “We’re gonna have a wild night.”
I roll my eyes before pinning him with a stare. “You’re already having a wild night.”
