things have been so exhausting the past week. I’m still not entirely over the jetlag and I want nothing more than to retreat to my bedroom and watch reruns of sitcoms I missed while abroad. I pass through the library to grab a glass of water before retiring to my room for the night.
“You look different, Ivy,” my dad observes with a lightness in his voice. “Italy must have treated you rather well.”
I smile and my heart swells ever so slightly. “Thanks, Dad. The experience was more than I ever dreamed it could be. I’m really glad I made the decision to go abroad.”
“Did you meet a boy there? I haven’t seen you look this way since you brought Matt home the first time.”
Ugh. I cringe at the sound of his name. It will take a miracle to erase him from my family’s grasp. I settle on a half-truth. “No, I didn’t meet anyone in Italy, Dad.” My lips form a tight smile. I really don’t want to be talking about this with him.
“Oh, okay then.”
I walk toward the kitchen, but he calls back to me. “Don’t think you’re off the hook with me just yet, young lady. When you’re ready I want to hear about all Italy and whatever is taking up space in that pretty little head of yours,” he teases.
My cheeks turn scarlet as I think back to the past few days. Even after all the time away from my dad, I still can’t fool him.
AS I LIE IN BED, I find myself wanting to turn back the clocks and unkiss Phoenix just so I can experience the magic of that first kiss all over again. His tender lips, assertive grasp, his amazingly delicious scent, his sweet taste. It was an assault of all my senses.
I drift off to sleep, dreaming of hazel eyes and telescopes and wrought iron benches along the lake.
THE NEXT DAY I WAKE in the early afternoon. After nearly a week of trying to adjust, the hours of jetlag have finally caught up to me. I stare wide-eyed at the textures in the ceiling, finding shapes and scenes like I used to as a child. I have no idea how I am going to get through staying here. Only another week or so and I’ll be in New York City, hopefully securing my future.
“Why aren’t you ready to go?”
Startled, I sit up and give Genevieve the side eye I perfected after decades of being under this roof.
“I told you last night at dinner that I needed you to come with me today. The florist? We’re meeting CJ there, remember?”
“I … I’m sorry. I must’ve been so exhausted that I didn’t hear you.”
At least I’ll finally get to meet the infamous Cortland James. There is a special place in heaven for anyone willingly enlisting themselves for a lifetime of my sister’s bullshit, even if they’re enlisting for all the wrong reasons.
“Well, we’re leaving in ten minutes. I’ll see you downstairs.” She turns, leaving my bedroom door wide open. I can hear her heavy footsteps as she makes her way to the main foyer in a huff.
I shower in record time and twist my dark hair into a loose, wet bun at the nape of my neck before tearing my favorite vintage sapphire sundress from my closet. Dabbing on some gloss and mascara, I pin my grandmother’s pearl studs in my ears and slip on my strappy sandals.
Racing down the stairs, I find Genevieve waiting for me with a bored expression. “Ready?” she asks with a hint of annoyance.
I grab my purse from the console table and open the door, escaping from her nonsense. “Let’s go,” I call out over my shoulder.
When we get to the town car, I can’t hide my elation when I see Harold standing there, waiting to open the door. Officially, Harold is our driver and has been a permanent fixture in our family as long as I can remember, but to me, he’s the grandfather I never knew. He is incredibly kind to my family, especially since my parents don’t deserve his respect the vast majority of the time.
Harold greets me with his megawatt smile and I can’t fight the overwhelming urge to run and hug him. “It’s good to have you
“You look different, Ivy,” my dad observes with a lightness in his voice. “Italy must have treated you rather well.”
I smile and my heart swells ever so slightly. “Thanks, Dad. The experience was more than I ever dreamed it could be. I’m really glad I made the decision to go abroad.”
“Did you meet a boy there? I haven’t seen you look this way since you brought Matt home the first time.”
Ugh. I cringe at the sound of his name. It will take a miracle to erase him from my family’s grasp. I settle on a half-truth. “No, I didn’t meet anyone in Italy, Dad.” My lips form a tight smile. I really don’t want to be talking about this with him.
“Oh, okay then.”
I walk toward the kitchen, but he calls back to me. “Don’t think you’re off the hook with me just yet, young lady. When you’re ready I want to hear about all Italy and whatever is taking up space in that pretty little head of yours,” he teases.
My cheeks turn scarlet as I think back to the past few days. Even after all the time away from my dad, I still can’t fool him.
AS I LIE IN BED, I find myself wanting to turn back the clocks and unkiss Phoenix just so I can experience the magic of that first kiss all over again. His tender lips, assertive grasp, his amazingly delicious scent, his sweet taste. It was an assault of all my senses.
I drift off to sleep, dreaming of hazel eyes and telescopes and wrought iron benches along the lake.
THE NEXT DAY I WAKE in the early afternoon. After nearly a week of trying to adjust, the hours of jetlag have finally caught up to me. I stare wide-eyed at the textures in the ceiling, finding shapes and scenes like I used to as a child. I have no idea how I am going to get through staying here. Only another week or so and I’ll be in New York City, hopefully securing my future.
“Why aren’t you ready to go?”
Startled, I sit up and give Genevieve the side eye I perfected after decades of being under this roof.
“I told you last night at dinner that I needed you to come with me today. The florist? We’re meeting CJ there, remember?”
“I … I’m sorry. I must’ve been so exhausted that I didn’t hear you.”
At least I’ll finally get to meet the infamous Cortland James. There is a special place in heaven for anyone willingly enlisting themselves for a lifetime of my sister’s bullshit, even if they’re enlisting for all the wrong reasons.
“Well, we’re leaving in ten minutes. I’ll see you downstairs.” She turns, leaving my bedroom door wide open. I can hear her heavy footsteps as she makes her way to the main foyer in a huff.
I shower in record time and twist my dark hair into a loose, wet bun at the nape of my neck before tearing my favorite vintage sapphire sundress from my closet. Dabbing on some gloss and mascara, I pin my grandmother’s pearl studs in my ears and slip on my strappy sandals.
Racing down the stairs, I find Genevieve waiting for me with a bored expression. “Ready?” she asks with a hint of annoyance.
I grab my purse from the console table and open the door, escaping from her nonsense. “Let’s go,” I call out over my shoulder.
When we get to the town car, I can’t hide my elation when I see Harold standing there, waiting to open the door. Officially, Harold is our driver and has been a permanent fixture in our family as long as I can remember, but to me, he’s the grandfather I never knew. He is incredibly kind to my family, especially since my parents don’t deserve his respect the vast majority of the time.
Harold greets me with his megawatt smile and I can’t fight the overwhelming urge to run and hug him. “It’s good to have you
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