“I don’t think I’m gonna sleep tonight.”
The way he says it—firm, almost playful—sends a shiver down my spine. “Why? Too much coffee?”
He shakes his head, grin sharpening into something that steals my breath. “No. I’ll be too busy planning how I’m going to kiss you tomorrow.”
My entire face burns. I cover it with my hand, laughing in disbelief. “Gray…”
He smirks, unbothered. “Something sweet. Slow. Classic. Unless you’ve got suggestions?”
I sputter out the only comeback I can manage. “J-just…try not to miss.”
His laugh rolls through the phone, warm and full. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Goodnight Gray.”
“Sweet dreams, Ivy.”
The screen goes black, and I just sit there staring at my own faint reflection. My cheeks are warm, my lips curved into a smile I can’t wipe away no matter how hard I try.
I sink deeper into the blankets, pulling them up over my chin like they might muffle the way my heart is still thundering. I’ve never had a guy say things like that to me—so direct, so sure. Like he isn’t afraid of the weight in his words. Like he already knows what tomorrow means.
I should be nervous. And I am. But it’s the kind of nerves that feel like standing at the top of a rollercoaster, breath caught in your throat, knowing the drop is coming and you want it.
I roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling, replaying his grin, the casual promise in his voice:I’ll be too busy planning how I’m going to kiss you tomorrow.
It echoes in my chest, soft and impossible to ignore.
Tomorrow, Gray isn’t just going to kiss me. Tomorrow, I think he might change everything.
Chapter 15
Gray
I hear the knock before Goliath does, but the second I stand, the big lug is already trotting to the door like he owns the place. I open it, and there she is—hair loose around her shoulders, casual shorts, soft t-shirt. Beautiful in a way that knocks me back every single time.
“Hey you,” I say, leaning on the doorframe even though my heart just tripped over itself.
Her eyes immediately drop to the large cat rubbing himself against her ankles. “And this must be the man in charge.” she says, crouching to scratch behind his ears.
“That’s Goliath,” I say, grinning. “Big personality, bigger ego. Don’t let him fool you—he’ll trade loyalty for a handful of treats.”
She laughs, the sound filling up the doorway. “He’s perfect.”
“Don’t tell him that. He’s already full of himself.”
I’d cleaned this place top to bottom. Floors mopped, counters wiped, even dusted the bookshelf—which I hadn’t touched since I moved in. Not because I thought she’d notice, but because I knew she would.
Sure enough, the second Ivy steps inside, her eyes drift around the apartment like she’s cataloguing it all. She doesn’t say anything, but the way her hand trails across the spines of my books makes my chest tighten. She pauses at the window, looking out at the Dallas skyline glowing against the dusk.
“Not bad,” she says, turning back to me with a smile that could knock the air right out of my lungs. “So what movie are we watching?”
“A cheesy rom-com, of course. My guilty pleasure.” I wink, reminding her of the confession I’d made on one of our dates.
Her laugh softens the air between us, warm and teasing.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask, heading toward the kitchen before she can answer.
“Sure, what do you have?”
