clearing the table, and I’ve never felt more awkward in my life. Society doesn’t know how to handle platonic friendships. To the outside world, we must look like this cute couple even though I’m nearly five years older than him. I’ve always appeared young for my age so it’s no wonder people are confused when they see us together. We’re not snuggling in the corner. We’re not even holding hands. But we’re alone together. That’s all it takes.
“Yes, please,” Ryan says curtly. I never meant to lead him on but somehow I have.
“Don’t listen to Lauren, Ryan. She doesn’t even know what she’s talking about.” I tilt my head and search his eyes imploringly.
“But what if she does? From my end at least…I mean, isn’t it obvious?” He drums his fingers on the table. “I saw you, Ivy.”
“Okay, what’s that cryptic message supposed to mean?” This conversation has gone in so many different directions that my head is spinning.
“I saw you…naked.” He barely whispers the word and at first I’m not sure what he said.
“There’s no possible way you saw…” I start but he holds up a hand to stop me from continuing.
“Do you remember last summer when you came over my apartment complex to go swimming in the pool?” He wants to get this off his chest for some reason. Maybe I should just let him and get it over with. I certainly don’t want to hear it but it may clear up a few things about how he’s been acting around me.
“Yeah, so? We didn’t go skinny dipping or anything.” I laugh but it’s half-hearted.
“Well, the bathroom was being remodeled and my mom told you that you could change in my room, right?” I nod, the enormity of the situation beginning to dawn on me. “I heard what she said and I hid in my closet in order to jump out and scare you when you walked in. But you didn’t give me a chance.” He swallows hard, blushing. “You already had your shirt off before you even closed the door. You weren’t wearing a bra so I couldn’t very well barge out of the closet while you were topless. But I’m a guy, Ivy. I couldn’t help but watch.” He pauses again. “I saw everything. I mean everything. Especially when you checked yourself out in my full-length mirror.”
My cheeks are on fire as the memory of that day comes flooding back. It was a good five minutes or so that I examined myself in that mirror before putting on my bathing suit. I was completely naked for an extended period of time. I thought I was alone in the room. I had no idea I was being watched. In fact, I felt a little naughty being like that in Ryan’s room. Little did I know, he was in there the whole time.
“I haven’t been able to get that image out of my head, Ivy.” He’s pleading with me to forgive him but I don’t know if I can. Not yet anyway. I’m too mortified to even be sitting across from him right now. “You’re all I’ve been thinking about for like a solid year.”
“Okay, I’ve heard enough. I’m out of here.” Abruptly, I stand up from the table nearly spilling what’s left our drinks in the process. I try to flee but he grabs my arm.
“Ivy, wait. Let me explain. I’ll pay the check and we can talk about it in the Jeep.” He frantically tries to pull his wallet out of his back pocket with one hand but there’s no way I’m going anywhere with him after a revelation like that. I don’t want to be in his presence at all.
“After hearing that I’m your Playboy fantasy? I don’t think so, Ry. I’ll walk back to the office from here and get my car.” I yank myself away from him and reach for my purse. “You don’t need me here anyway. You can just jerk off to me in your imagination.”
I make a move toward the door but he blocks my path. “You’re not leaving until you give me a chance to explain. I wanted to be honest with you. Doesn’t that count for something?”
I slide under his arm before he can trap me against the seat. “Some things are better
“Yes, please,” Ryan says curtly. I never meant to lead him on but somehow I have.
“Don’t listen to Lauren, Ryan. She doesn’t even know what she’s talking about.” I tilt my head and search his eyes imploringly.
“But what if she does? From my end at least…I mean, isn’t it obvious?” He drums his fingers on the table. “I saw you, Ivy.”
“Okay, what’s that cryptic message supposed to mean?” This conversation has gone in so many different directions that my head is spinning.
“I saw you…naked.” He barely whispers the word and at first I’m not sure what he said.
“There’s no possible way you saw…” I start but he holds up a hand to stop me from continuing.
“Do you remember last summer when you came over my apartment complex to go swimming in the pool?” He wants to get this off his chest for some reason. Maybe I should just let him and get it over with. I certainly don’t want to hear it but it may clear up a few things about how he’s been acting around me.
“Yeah, so? We didn’t go skinny dipping or anything.” I laugh but it’s half-hearted.
“Well, the bathroom was being remodeled and my mom told you that you could change in my room, right?” I nod, the enormity of the situation beginning to dawn on me. “I heard what she said and I hid in my closet in order to jump out and scare you when you walked in. But you didn’t give me a chance.” He swallows hard, blushing. “You already had your shirt off before you even closed the door. You weren’t wearing a bra so I couldn’t very well barge out of the closet while you were topless. But I’m a guy, Ivy. I couldn’t help but watch.” He pauses again. “I saw everything. I mean everything. Especially when you checked yourself out in my full-length mirror.”
My cheeks are on fire as the memory of that day comes flooding back. It was a good five minutes or so that I examined myself in that mirror before putting on my bathing suit. I was completely naked for an extended period of time. I thought I was alone in the room. I had no idea I was being watched. In fact, I felt a little naughty being like that in Ryan’s room. Little did I know, he was in there the whole time.
“I haven’t been able to get that image out of my head, Ivy.” He’s pleading with me to forgive him but I don’t know if I can. Not yet anyway. I’m too mortified to even be sitting across from him right now. “You’re all I’ve been thinking about for like a solid year.”
“Okay, I’ve heard enough. I’m out of here.” Abruptly, I stand up from the table nearly spilling what’s left our drinks in the process. I try to flee but he grabs my arm.
“Ivy, wait. Let me explain. I’ll pay the check and we can talk about it in the Jeep.” He frantically tries to pull his wallet out of his back pocket with one hand but there’s no way I’m going anywhere with him after a revelation like that. I don’t want to be in his presence at all.
“After hearing that I’m your Playboy fantasy? I don’t think so, Ry. I’ll walk back to the office from here and get my car.” I yank myself away from him and reach for my purse. “You don’t need me here anyway. You can just jerk off to me in your imagination.”
I make a move toward the door but he blocks my path. “You’re not leaving until you give me a chance to explain. I wanted to be honest with you. Doesn’t that count for something?”
I slide under his arm before he can trap me against the seat. “Some things are better
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