“Not feeling it,” she sighs.
“You might later,” Finn says quickly. “Why don’t you invite Daisy? Haven’t seen her around for a few days.”
I cringe at the sound of her name. Finn doesn’t know I’ve turned her down. It’s not been something I’ve wanted to talk about, not when all I can think of is Ivy, and I can’t exactly tell him that.
“No thanks.” She raises the glass to her lips. “I’ll pass on inviting her.”
Finn turns to her slowly. “Is that why she hasn’t been around? Has something happened between you two?”
“Don’t know, don’t care,” she mumbles into the glass before emptying it and placing it inside the dishwasher.
“Iv.” He reaches out to grab her wrist, and she stops walking. “What’s going on?”
Ivy tilts her head to the floor. “Nothing.”
“Nothing? It’s not nothing, what happened with Daisy?”
She raises her eyes to meet her brother. “We fell out. It’s not a big deal.”
My brows hike. They fell out? Shit. I wonder if it has anything to do with her drunken non-confessions of mine the other night.
Finn tugs her back gently and twists in the stool. “Come out with us tonight, I don’t want you to be alone if you’re all sad. I’m sure Isaac will be there.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Right, sure, Isaac will save the day, the ultimate cock-blocker.
But Ivy said we’d talk, and I will do everything in my power to get her alone, so I can drop all my feelings on the table.
Even if the thought alone terrifies me.
“I’m not feeling it,” she whispers.
“For a little bit? It might make you feel better. I promise I won’t make a fool out of myself.”
Ivy’s lips tilt at his comment. “You always make a fool out of yourself. What are you talking about?”
He gasps loudly, and her smile brightens, turning my stomach into a clump of cement.I wish she’d smile at me like that.And yet, I might as well be dead to her right now because she hasn’t even acknowledged me.
“Well, I’ll try extra hard today then.” Finn puffs out his chest.
“Please don’t. None of us needs that. And I’ll think about it,” she pulls away from his grip. “I wanna go into town and do some things, I’ll see how I feel later.”
“Alright.”
Ivy turns, catching my eye for the first time, and I offer her a smile. “How are you feeling today?” I ask.
I feel Finn’s eyes boring into the side of my face, but I couldn’t care less what he thinks right now. I have to talk to her, even if it’s for a second, before I drive myself to the brink of insanity.
“I’m okay.” She smiles weakly.
“What was wrong?” Finn frowns in our direction.
Ivy sucks in a breath and grabs a yogurt from the fridge. “I had a headache yesterday, and JJ left some painkillers at my bedroom door. Thank you for that.”
Her eyes collide with mine when she speaks, and I stare back into those stunning green irises. God, my chest is crumbling. “You’re welcome,” I say softly.
Ivy’s gaze lingers for a moment too long before she thinks better and finally looks away. I immediately miss the warmth of her eyes.
I’mpleased when I spot Ivy as she joins the party on the beach.
