Her arms fold over her chest, and fuck, she looks so damn cute when she’s pulling a face of determination. “Here, taste,” she says as she dips her fingers in the batter so quickly I barelysee her move. The next thing I know, she’s smeared it across my mouth and chin. “Taste right to you?”
“Oh, you’re taking the piss,” I say with a chuckle.
I lean forward to grab her, and she moves fast, but I reach her in time. She releases a squeal of laughter when I begin tickling her ribs. “How dare you ruin my perfect breakfast.” I brush my lips all over her neck.
“Ugh!” she bellows with a laugh. “That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah, but you love me,” I say, and she snorts again.
“Debatable.”
My hands dig into her waist further. “What was that?”
“Nothing!” she yells with a breathless laugh, my own filling the air too. “I didn’t say anything.”
I grin at her. “Liar,” I say as we continue to playfight.
I glance up at the stairs to find Finn at the bottom of them, watching us. I didn’t even hear him or register his appearance until now. When I stop laughing, Ivy notices him too. Slowly and reluctantly, my arms move from around her waist.
“Hey,” I say to break the silence.
Finn merely nods before walking over to the counter. “Hey.”
Ivy stands there with her eyes down, her fingers entwined. “You good?” I ask Finn when no one says anything more.
“No,” he states, shaking his head, and finally, Ivy glances up. “I’m sorry for how I behaved yesterday. It was unacceptable. I replayed everything I said and I fucking hate myself for being such an asshole, Ivy.”
“It’s fine.”
Finn presses his hand to the counter as if he’s taking a stand. “No.” His voice is harsh. “It’s not fine, Ivy. I’m sorry for what I said. It was uncalled for. But you guys have to realise that this is so new and alien to me. I can learn to deal with your relationship, but it’s not going to be easy for me.”
“We know, Finn,” I state. “You need time to process everything. We understand that.”
“Did you read the letter I wrote to you?”
Ivy darts her gaze to him and shakes her head. “Not yet. I’ve been struggling to open it. I’m still trying to figure out what’s left of our relationship,” she admits, and I couldn’t feel prouder of her for doing things at her own pace. “You broke my trust, Finn, and that’s something I’ll need to take time to learn to deal with.”
Finn remains silent for a long moment, and I resist the urge to sigh. “I get it. It hurts, but I get it. I want you to be happy, and if it’s JJ who’s meant to be that person, then I can’t say anything after what I did to you. I might not want it, but there isn’t anything I can do. I’m not losing my best friend and my sister because you both love each other, that would be stupid.”
The corners of my lips lift. I’ve never been prouder of Finn. I walk around the counter and pull him into a hug. “This won’t change anything, I promise.”
I pull away and watch as he walks towards Ivy with his arms out. She glances up at him and gives in, his arms wrapping around her protectively. “Seeing you happy makes me happy,” he whispers onto the top of her head. “I just wish you had better taste in guys.”
“Rude,” I call out, but they both laugh.
“I have great taste, actually,” she murmurs into his chest.
Finn relaxes and flashes a small smile. “Mm, that’s up for debate.”
CHAPTER 53
IVY THOMPSON
“Ican’t believe how fast this summer has gone.” Daisy pouts as she flings her arm over my shoulder.
I sigh and glance out at the sea as it laps the shore. “Same,” I say sadly. “I hate it. I don’t want to go back to university yet. I’m not ready for this to be over. Which is insane considering I was nervous about coming back.”
She squeezes my shoulder with her hand. “Because you fell in love,” she sings, and I roll my eyes, pushing her away. “Ivy fell in love.”
