Ivy blinks down at it. “Wow. A royal presentation.”
Lucy nods seriously. “It’s very special.”
Ivy presses a hand to her chest. “I’m honoured.”
I chuckle to myself, carrying the empty plates to the sink as Lucy watches Ivy with great anticipation.
Ivy peels off the lid and stares down at the little strawberry cream cake. “This looks amazing.”
“It is,” Lucy says knowingly.
Ivy picks up a fork, about to take a bite, but then—she pauses. “Actually, you know what? I think I’d like to share it.”
“You will?” Lucy asks with a big smile on her face.
“Of course.” Ivy grins, cutting the cake in half and pushing a piece toward her. “I can’t possibly eat something this special all by myself.”
Lucy looks at Ivy like she’s just become her absolute favourite person in the universe.
And, honestly? Watching the two of them grin at each other over their shared cake? I’m not far behind.
I shake my head, turning back to the dishes before I start thinking too much about how stupidly good Ivy looks when she smiles.
As I rinse the plates, I glance over my shoulder casually. “So,” I say, keeping my voice easy, “what’s your plan, then?”
Ivy, mid-bite, raises an eyebrow. “Plan?”
“Yeah.” I turn back to the sink. “For today. For the rest of your trip. You sticking it out at the campsite or are you thinking of… reevaluating your life choices?”
There’s a beat of silence behind me before I hear her scoff.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
I smirk to myself, scrubbing a plate. “Maybe a little.”
Ivy huffs, setting her fork down. “Well, since you ask so nicely, I was thinking of heading into the next village today. Maybe find a B&B.”
I glance over my shoulder again. “Giving up on camping already?”
She levels me with a look. “I spent a night in a shower shed, Theo.”
I let out a quiet chuckle, placing the last plate in the drying rack. “Fair point.”
But even as I turn off the tap and shake the water from my hands, my mind is already somewhere else.
She’s planning to leave.
Which is fine. It’s smart. Logical. She never planned to stay here, and I know Ivy—she doesn’t like feeling like she’s imposing. She’d rather check into a B&B and deal with it herself. That’s who she is.
But I’d be lying if I said I liked the option of her leaving.
Truthfully, I’d love to have her around.
Even if it isn’t the best idea.
Even if yesterday there was that almost-moment in the kitchen, thick with something neither of us acknowledged.
Even if she’s on this ridiculous dating ban and I have no business thinking about what would happen after it ends.
