“Ash, it’s Taylor’s birthday dinner.”
I sigh. “She’s okay with me not coming. I talked to her earlier.”
“She might be,” she says, her voice soft but firm, “but I’m not. You haven’t left this apartment in days.”
“I go to work every day,” I deadpan.
She rolls her eyes. “I mean apart from work.”
“I don’t want to go. I’m fine here.”
She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “You’re fine? Really?”
“No!” I snap, pushing up from the sofa. “I’m fucking miserable! The man I love is in pain, and there’s nothing I can do to help him because he doesn’t want to see me.”
My voice breaks, and I collapse back onto the sofa, burying my face in my hands.
“Shit,” Ivy murmurs as she sits beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
“I'm sorry for being such a bitch,” I mutter. “I shouldn't have snapped.”
“You’re not being a bitch. And you can snap all you want. I’m always going to be here for you.”
I lift my head and turn to face her. “I love you.”
She smiles. “I love you too.”
Then she stands, pulling me up with her. “Now, about Franco’s…” She grins, and I shake my head.
“Ivy, no,” I groan.
She waggles her eyebrows. “We’re going, Ash. Deal with it.”
Before I can protest again, she tugs me through the apartment toward my bedroom.
“Get changed. We’re leaving in ten,” she says, shoving me inside and shutting the door behind me.
I collapse face-first onto the bed, squeezing my eyes shut. The last thing I want to do tonight is go out. Between long workdays and sleepless nights, I’m completely drained. But I know why Ivy’s doing this. I’d be doing the same if our roles were reversed. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.
True to her word, ten minutes later, she’s banging on my bedroom door.
“Come on, Ash. Time to go.”
Letting out a deep sigh, I take one last glance in the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of my electric blue pencil dress. My hair’s flat and my eyes are puffy. I can’t be bothered with makeup, so I just swipe on a bit of lip gloss. It’ll have to do. I’mnot planning on staying out long, and I’m definitely not out to impress anyone.
“You're annoying, you know that, right?” I say as I meet Ivy in the entryway, snatching my purse from the table.
“Yep! And you wouldn’t have me any other way,” she replies with a grin, looping her arm through mine and steering me toward the door.
“That’s debatable,” I mutter.
Ten minutes later,we’re at Franco’s, waiting to be seated. Seb and Taylor are running late, and Hunter wouldn’t settle, so Cade and Sophie had to cancel last minute. Honestly, I wish I’d done the same, but Ivy wouldn’t let me off the hook.
“How are you holding up?” Paisley asks from beside me.
I think about telling her the truth. About the ache that’s been sitting heavy in my chest for days. But it’s Taylor’s birthday, and after everything she’s been through, she deserves a good night. Nobody wants me dampening the mood.
I manage a smile. “I’m okay,” I lie.
