Chapter 16
Thanks for tuning in as I post chapters of my new novel When Ivy Met Adam: A second chance, forced proximity, sexy, queer love-triangle romance. Your feedback is everything. Please post comments here or email me. I love hearing what you think.
Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapters 8&9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 (old) Chapter 15 (new)
Chapter 16 - Adam
There she is. My Ivy.
Now that I have her in my little temporary home (and, soon, in my bed, thank all that is good and evil in the world), I can win her over. She was like a different person last night with her this-is-how-it-will-be’s and her just-you-listen-to-me-ness. If I weren’t trying to win her heart, I would have been very proud of her setting boundaries and standing up for herself. As the man deeply and filthily in love with her, I want her to drop all that shit and get naked with me right now.
“So, what can I get you to drink?” I kiss her lightly on her temple and head back out to the kitchen.
“Nothing.”
“A cup of tea?”
“You don’t have English Breakfast.” It’s not a question. She’s still a little prickly. I get it. This isn’t how she planned today.
“Of course I do.” I start the kettle and pull out the box of tea I purchased on my first trip to the store after Ivy’s little brush with death. I knew if she got here to my place, having her tea on hand would be an absolute necessity. Who knew it’d be perfect weather for tea?
“Hm,” is her only response. Her arms are crossed over her chest and she looks decidedly uncomfortable.
“What would you be doing on a rainy day at home, Ivy?” I ask with my back to her, setting out mugs. Let’s get her talking. Maybe that will relax her.
“Knitting.” She sighs loudly. “With a cup of tea.”
I beam at her. “Should I see about getting you some yarn?” I quickly run through my mental list of every person I’ve met on staff. Are any of them knitters? But I need not worry. Ivy is unzipping one of her bags and pulling out a bag from within the bag.
“Nah. I have my work with me. Always,” she says to the bag. She takes her tote (it says “Knitters gonna knit” in a very meme-looking font) to sit on my couch. She kicks off her trainers (probably the only non-flip flop shoes she brought on this trip) and tucks her feet under her. She looks adorable if not still a little stiff.
I grab the only soft blanket in this corporate apartment off my bed. Just as I’m about to tuck it around her, the kettle whistles. So I make her tea (light and sweet just like her coffee) and take both the blanket and the tea to her. “Let’s get you settled.”
She smiles warmly at me (finally!). “Thank you. This is actually kind of nice.” My shoulders drop measurable inches away from my ears for the first time all day.
“I’ll leave you to it.” And then to my phone, “Siri, play ‘instrumentals for a rainy day’ playlist.” I leave it on the coffee table where we can both hear it. Then I go to my room and half-shut the door. She wants space? I’ll give her space.
