But I’m not sure if this is going anywhere…or if I’m just hoping it is.
Chapter 13
Ivy
Getting Harper to agree to come to church was easier than I expected.
“I mean, I don’t have anything else going on,” she’d said, scrolling through her phone. “And if there’s brunch afterward, count me in.”
Classic Harper. Casual agreement, emotional firewall firmly in place. But I’ll take it.
Olivia, on the other hand, was more hesitant.
“I’ve got plans,” she said quickly, eyes flicking away.
I didn’t press. Even though I’m pretty sure her plans involve avoiding emotional vulnerability and binge-watching true crime, but I get it, so I don’t push.
We pull into the church parking lot, the sunlight catching the building just right, and I pause, taking it in. Harper glances over at me.
“You, okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling. “Just, glad you’re here.”
She gasps. “Ivy, you’re glowing. Either it’s love or the bad coffee. I’m betting love.”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s go.”
Inside, the church is already buzzing with activity—volunteers setting up signs, fresh coffee being poured into cups of tired guests. It’s warm, welcoming, and now oh so familiar even though this is only my second time at church.
We are walking down the main hallway when a door down the back hallway opens and Gray steps through with his guitar in hand, earbuds tucked around his neck. His eyes find mine instantly and that familiar spark lights up his face like it always does when he sees me. My stomach does that little flip it’s started doing whenever he's near.
“Hey you,” he says, voice warm as he pulls me in for a quick side-hug. I have grown to love the way he says those words in greeting. “I was hoping I’d catch you before service.”
“Well, looks like you got lucky,” I smile, my heart doing cartwheels. “Oh!” I turn slightly. “Gray, this is Harper. Harper, this is Gray.”
He shifts his attention to her, offering a handshake. “Nice to finally meet you. Ivy told me all about you and Olivia.”
Harper raises a brow. “Hopefully she left out the embarrassing stuff.”
Gray grins. “Nothing but glowing reviews. She’s lucky to have you.”
Harper smirks. “She is.”
Gray laughs, then turns back to me, that soft focus settling behind his eyes again.
“Hey, do you have plans after service?” he asks casually. But there’s a hopeful edge to it, like he’s already bracing for me to say no.
Before I can answer, Harper jumps in. “Yep! We’re going to brunch, then to look at plants. I’m pretty sure my last succulent died of loneliness. Time to replace him.”
Gray’s eyebrows lift slightly. “You’re going plant shopping?”
Harper nods. “Yep! And maybe grab some new pots if I’m feeling ambitious.” She turns to me with a grin. “You still good with that, right?”
“Of course,” I say, glancing back at Gray. His expression flickers, just for a second. A small hesitation. I catch the way his jaw tenses, how his hand slides into his back pocket like he’s holding something back. “Would you like to join us?”
There’s a pause, and I swear I can see him weighing his options. He opens his mouth slightly, then shuts it. Finally, he clears his throat. “No, it’s okay. Y’all have your girl time.” His smile is polite, almost too practiced.
My heart dips, just a bit. I don’t want him to feel left out, but Harper’s already looping her arm through mine, clearly ready to go find our seats and move on with our morning.
