The Unwanted Assistant

by Evangeline Kelly

  Before I ducked, the pillow hit me smack in the face and then fell to the floor. I picked it up and tossed it back on the couch. “Another day. I don’t feel like it right now.”

  “Sawyer, please.” Her eyes widened in a plea and I had to catch my breath because she was so beautiful my chest physically hurt. She scooted closer and put a hand on my shoulder. “Stop letting fear control you. It’s one trip to get ice cream, and I doubt we’ll run into anyone. It’s not even peak hours.”

  I couldn’t say no when she looked at me like that. If I had the power to make her happy with one word, I'd do it. One measly word was all it would take to make Ivy Wolfe smile.

  “Fine.”

  She opened her mouth to argue but then stopped. “You’ll go?”

  “Yeah, I’ll go.”

  Her expression changed from disbelief to pleasantly surprised and then to one of pure joy. “Did I hear you right?”

  I shrugged as if it was no big deal. In reality, it was a huge step, and I knew it. “Yes.”

  She threw her arms around me in a quick hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Her support meant everything, and it was the only reason I gave in. I didn’t relish customers gawking at me, but if I had to go, at least she’d be there with me.

  I lifted a few strands of her hair and rubbed them between my fingers. “Thank you, Ivy. It means a lot that you care. I don’t have many people in my life but you . . .” I tried to speak past the lump in my throat. “You’ve found a place in my heart. I’m falling hard for you.”

  A huge grin spread across her face. “I’ve already fallen. It happened the day we played Speed, and I was afraid you’d kick my butt.”

  “Except you kicked mine.” I snickered, thinking about that day and what a bad attitude I had. Ivy certainly put me in my place. She’d caught me off guard—then again, she’d been full of surprises. Like the day she tried to quit . . . “Can I ask you something?”

  She smiled. “Sure. Go ahead.”

  “Why did you give notice a while back?”

  The smile slipped off her face and for a moment she seemed almost sad, but then she relaxed. “I suppose I can tell you, now that we’re being honest about how we feel.” She glanced at me shyly and looked away. “My feelings for you had grown, but I didn’t think you felt the same way. I thought I needed to distance myself, but when you told me how important I was to you . . . I couldn’t leave.”

  She had feelings for me back then? I’d had no idea. My heart thundered in my chest and I wanted to fist pump the air. I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face. “I wish I’d known.”

  “What would you have done?” she asked.

  Our eyes held for another moment, and I wanted to draw her into my arms and kiss her silly. I drew closer but then stopped myself.

  The temptation to kiss Ivy and forget everything else existed was there, but we weren’t married, and I'd already determined to do the right thing.

  Time to get out of the house.

  “We’d better go.” I led her out the front door, my arm around her shoulders, keys to my silver Aston Martin Vanquish in hand. I clicked the garage door opener and walked straight to it.

  Ivy gasped. “You never mentioned you had all these cars. Sometimes I see you in your Mercedes at church, but that's it.”

  “I haven’t had a reason to show you.” I had a line of other vehicles, some expensive, some not. One of my other favorites was the 1960 Chevy Impala. It was cherry red with all the bells and whistles added.

  “Please tell me we’re going to take this one,” she said, pointing to the silver sports car.

  “If you want.”

  I opened the door for her, and she slid in sideways. After rounding the Aston, I jumped in, started the engine, and backed out. I did a three-point-turn and headed towards the road. Neither of us said much until we were in town. At a red-light, I glanced over at her and watched how the afternoon sun highlighted her smooth skin.

  “Are you aware you have a freckle?”

  “Where?” she asked.

  I couldn’t resist. Leaning over, I kissed her on the nose. “Right there.”

  She smiled. “How long have you been observing my freckles?”

  “First day you showed up.”

  “I didn’t realize you noticed me like that back then,” she said, voice breathless.

  To my fascination, her face reddened, reminding me I had an effect on her.

  I lifted an eyebrow. “How could I not?”

  The light turned green, and I stepped on the gas a little too hard, sending us forward with a jolt, tires screeching. Ivy’s laughter filled the car, and I grinned.

  A big sign with an ice cream cone loomed ahead. I drove into the parking lot and swung the Aston into a space right in front. We got out of the car and walked hand-in-hand inside the store. Relief washed over me when I saw the place was empty.

  “I have to use the restroom,” Ivy said. “Will you be okay or should I wait?”

  I waved her on. “Go. I’m fine.”

  “All right. Be back in a minute.” She headed down a short hallway.

  I moved to the front and studied the ice cream flavors underneath the glass window. They all looked good, but I nearly tasted the double chocolate fudge with caramel.

  The attendant, a guy with reddish-brown hair and freckles, looking to be in his early twenties, had a bored expression on his face.

  “Which is your favorite, Rob?” I asked, glancing at his nametag.

  He studied me, and I sensed his scrutiny following the curves and twist of my scars. “Ugh . . . hard to say. Don’t have much of an appetite right now.”

  He might have meant that in more than one way, but it wouldn’t help to get paranoid. “Yeah, I’m not hungry but Ivy wanted ice cream and I couldn’t say no.”

  “She’s cute. I wouldn't say no either.” He glanced around the room and lowered his voice. “How did you do it?”

  “How did I do what?”

  “Score a pretty girl.” His eyes landed on my scars. “Don’t take this the wrong way. As you can see, I’m not exactly God’s gift to women. I saw you getting out of your fancy car and just wondered what it took to get a beautiful woman to accompany a man like yourself.”

  I held back the insult forming on my tongue. “Really, man?”

  “She’s nice to look at. A little on the chubby side, but that wouldn’t bother me a bit.” He used his hands to form the shape of an hourglass. “I like women—”

  Leaning forward, I grabbed him by the shirt. “Watch your mouth.”

  He held his hands up. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Honestly. If there’s some magic pill you swallowed, I’ll take it.”

  “People these days,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t know how to censor themselves.”

  “I’m sorry, man. I’m not trying to be mean. Women never give me a second glance. I want to know what it is . . . I mean, don’t you ever wonder if she’s with you because she’s into you? Or is it all about the money?” He eyed my car through the window.

  “Ivy’s not like that. She’s never asked for anything.”

  He shrugged. “I didn't mean . . . you know what I meant. No harm, no foul, right?” He walked to the opposite side of the room, picked up a rag, and began wiping the counter. Apparently, he had a disconnect when he saw the two of us together.

  I cleared my throat. “To be honest, I don’t get it either.”

  He didn’t say anything else. After a minute of awkward silence, Ivy finally joined me. “Have you decided what you’re going to get?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not hungry, but you go ahead and pick something.”

  She ordered strawberry ice cream with strawberry syrup, which didn’t surprise me. Glancing at me over her shoulder, she winked. “Too bad they don’t have strawberry shortcake. Looks like you still owe me.”

  “One of these days, Shortcake, one of these days.” I tried to keep my voice light. She searched my face as if sensi
ng something was off. I clenched my fists at my sides and looked away. If this trip was supposed to encourage me to get out more often, it failed miserably. Not everyone would be as vocal as Rob but some would be more so. And everyone would think the same thing. What was a girl like her doing with a guy like me? Ivy didn’t deserve that.

  On the ride home, she studied me. “You okay? You got quiet all of a sudden.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  I stared straight ahead, willing her to let the subject drop.

  “Sawyer, did something happen while I was in the restroom?”

  “No.”

  I’m ashamed to say I lied, but if I’d told her, she would have tried to reassure me because that’s who she was—loyal. It was better to keep some things to myself. Rob hadn’t meant to insult me. He should have bit his tongue but that was rare these days.

  Once we were home, I parked the car in the back garage, and we headed towards the house.

  She squeezed my hand. “You did well today. Next time will be easier.”

  I forced a smile. “Sure.”

  But would it get easier? The excursion reinforced what I’d already been thinking. People would have a hard time seeing us together. What would happen in a larger setting? We would make a spectacle of ourselves.

  But I’d given my word that I’d try, and I meant it. I wouldn’t let one bad experience get to me. In a few days, I’d try again, maybe after her birthday.

  I smiled, thinking of the surprise I had planned. It would be perfect.

  Chapter 27

  Ivy

  My eyes popped open from the incessant ringing of my cell phone.

  The sound was jarring since it had been quiet the last few days. When Sammie received news earlier in the week that her grandma had a mild stroke and had to be hospitalized, she’d booked the next flight to L.A.

  Turning over in bed, I ignored the annoying ringtone. When it finally stopped, I smiled and snuggled into my comforter, wanting to relax and snooze on a Saturday morning.

  But when it started up again, I remembered it might be Sammie trying to get a hold of me. Reaching over, I picked up my cell off the nightstand and answered.

  “Good morning, birthday girl,” Sammie sang into the phone.

  “You’re up early.”

  “It’s seven in the morning in Los Angeles. Not early on my time schedule. I figured you’d be up by nine. Hope I didn’t wake you.”

  I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed, pushing my comforter away. “You did, but that’s okay. I needed to get up, anyway. How’s your Grammy doing?”

  “Much better. They’re going to release her from the hospital today. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as we all feared. She’ll stay with Mom and Dad for a while just to be safe.”

  “Good. I’m glad she’s okay.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t be there for your birthday.” Her voice took on a regretful note. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back on Monday, and we’ll go out to dinner. You’re still having lunch with Sky, right?”

  “No, she’s in bed with the flu. Told me she’d take me out as soon as she was better.”

  “But Sawyer’s doing something for you, isn’t he?”

  “I didn't tell him it’s my birthday.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “I don’t want him to feel obligated to buy a gift.”

  I’d always downplayed my birthday. At home, we barely had enough to cover rent, much less extra things. Mom and Dad usually had a cake and a small present for me, but we’d never had the money to go out. Plus, I didn’t like being the center of attention, so I was content to let the day pass without a lot of fuss.

  “Tell him. I’m sure he’d want to know. It’s not just about presents.”

  “You're right. We’ll celebrate when you get back.”

  “It’s a deal,” she said. “Hey, I’d better go. Mom’s calling me. I’ll see you Monday.”

  “Sounds great.” The moment I hung up, the phone rang again, this time from Mom.

  “Good morning, sweetheart. I hoped you'd be up.”

  “Morning, Mom.”

  She sang the Happy Birthday song like she did every year. We chatted for a while, and she told me over and over how much she missed me and wished she could visit.

  “Hey, your dad and I were talking, and we wondered if Sawyer would like to come home with you during the Christmas break. We’d like to meet him.”

  I’d filled her in on recent events and how Sawyer and I had expressed our feelings for each other. She’d been happy for me, though a little concerned considering the nature of our relationship.

  “I would love for him to meet you both. You and Dad will really like him.”

  I remembered his hesitancy to accept my invitation to spend a week in California. I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure if he’s ready for something like that. He still has a hard time leaving the house, but I’ll ask.”

  “Really? I would have thought by now he’d be more comfortable, especially since the two of you . . .”

  “Since the two of us what?”

  There was a pause. “I thought you were there to help him expand his horizons.”

  “We went out one time for ice cream, but he hasn’t wanted to do anything since.”

  She grew quiet for a few moments and then said, “Ivy honey, you can’t change people. If Sawyer refuses to grow in this area, then you need to think seriously about whether this is the type of man—”

  “Mom, I know.” I ran a hand through my hair and bit back my irritation. Maybe it was naïve of me, but I believed Sawyer would grow when he was ready. “He just needs more time.”

  “I’m concerned. I rarely hear you talk about social events or other guys for that matter. You’re putting all your eggs in one basket and it’s not healthy.”

  “I can’t have this conversation with you today.”

  We went back and forth like that for a while longer, and then I finally ended the call by telling her I had to go. It took a while to calm down, but Mom’s words bit at my ankles like a yippy dog defending her turf. I knew she loved me and just wanted the best for me, but it still hurt she didn’t understand where I was coming from.

  ***

  I’d told Sawyer I wouldn’t be over until evening since I’d initially planned to have lunch with Sky. Since she was sick, I spent the day studying instead. Many people would have balked at that, but I didn’t care. It was easier not to expect much out of my birthday.

  By the time I arrived at Sawyer’s house, it was already dark. I was surprised to find him in the downstairs living room, reading a book by the fireplace.

  “Hey, I have a surprise for you.”

  He didn't know it was my birthday, did he? I’d said nothing, and Sammie knew better than to call and spill the news.

  “What kind of surprise?”

  He grinned and stood to his feet. “Follow me.”

  He led me through the sunroom and out the back door. I followed, purse over one arm. When he guided me towards the woods, I stalled. “I’m not too excited about walking outside in the dark, especially since I fell last time.”

  He offered his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. If you slip, I’ll catch you. I promise.”

  When I hesitated, he smiled. “Trust me, Ivy. You’re going to like this.”

  I put my hand in his, and he led me down the same trail we’d taken to the pond. After going a little deeper into the woods, I noticed small lanterns stuck into the ground, lighting the pathway, reminding me of something I’d seen on Pinterest. “Did you do this?”

  “Yup, I put these out earlier with Henry’s help. The candles inside are LED, so they won’t pose a fire threat. Do you like them?”

  “I love them.”

  We continued to walk in silence, and I savored the sensation of my hand in his as he pulled me along the trail. When we reached the pond, my breath caught in my throat.

  A lar
ge white tent with an open doorway sat near the water’s edge. Inside was a table set for two with heat lamps on each side. An elaborate chandelier hung in the center and tiny white lights lined the ceiling. Green ivy streamed to the ground from the top corners, and red roses were strategically placed throughout the space. A white fabric banner across the back wall said, Happy Birthday, Ivy. My hand flew to my mouth. “How did you know?”

  He smirked. “Your employment paperwork. You work for me, remember?”

  I laughed. “Of course. How could I forget? I can’t believe you actually kept track of my birthday.”

  Never in my life had anyone done something like this for me. Enchanted, I took in the tiny details of the lights above. He released my hand and pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to take a seat. I hung my purse on the back of the chair and sat down.

  He lifted an eyebrow and studied me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I’m not the type to make a big fuss about birthdays.”

  “Too late.” He handed me a white box with a red bow on top.

  I nearly choked when I saw the label: Chokopologie, by House of Knipschildt. I pulled off the lid and inside was La Madeline au Truffe, the very truffle I’d pinned on my Pinterest board. At two hundred and fifty dollars, it was one of the most expensive truffles around.

  “I just died and went to heaven.”

  “I noticed you checking it out online several weeks ago, and it brought to mind how you mentioned it when you first started working for me. Remember the first time we played Speed, and I wanted to make a wager?”

  Biting down on my bottom lip, I hid my smile. “You actually remembered that?”

  He nodded. “I hope you like it.”

  “This is literally the sweetest gift I’ve ever received, no pun intended.”

  He laughed. “Why don’t you take a bite?”

  I bit off a small piece and a burst of flavor hit my taste buds. It was beyond delicious—probably ranked up there with Edmund's Turkish Delight in, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Closing my eyes, I moaned. “This is so good. Would you like a taste?” I opened my eyes to find him staring at my lips and a thrill shot through me.