AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That wasn’t one of mine. That was a Danica Garfield. And I was the only available person who could fit in it.” I’m just not that talented. I could never create something as beautiful and inspired as that. It’s probably why I’ll end up at cosmetology school. I’ve spent so much time perfecting my armor so that I can blend in. I’m good at it. “And that is the one and only time you’ll see me in the public eye like that.”
“I don’t know if that’s true.” Ben’s finger ticks against the side of his cup. “You’re dating a celebrity.”
“Not just any celebrity.” Dizzy lights up. “Rogue freaking Maddox. He’s so gorgeous and popular and a little wild from what I’ve read.”
Ben coughs into his hand. “He’s not that special. He’s just a fuck boy.”
I raise an eyebrow and stare him down. I’m aware of his first impression of Rogue, but I thought we’d move past it once he understood how important Rogue is to me.
“Sorry, Ivy.” Ben shifts uncomfortably. “I know you think he’s changed since he met you, but guys like that…I just don’t get what girls see in him.”
“But you’ll try to be nice. Won’t you?” Because I need his friendship. I can’t afford to lose a single person I care about.
“For you, yeah.” He glances away.
“How did you two meet anyway?” Dizzy leans in like we’re the best of friends.
We’re so opposite. I’m quiet, and she’s out there. I dress to blend in. Well, I do when I’m not hiding in costume at any rate. Her dress couldn’t screamlook at meany louder if it disappeared completely. It’s going to take time to get used to the fact she’s a part of our group. “He jumped in front of my car. I was dressed as a fairytale princess. It was one of those wild adventures.”
She grabs my hand and stares into my eyes. “Tell me everything.”
God, she’s so intense, and how Rogue and I met, all the things we’ve been through…this is not really information I want to share with a girl I’ve only met twice. What’s to say she won’t take the details to the media?
Okay, I’m probably being paranoid because of my run in with Alec this morning. It has me still on edge, but the less people who know the better. Like Ben suggested, I want to keep out of the media as much as possible, but add in my relationship to Alec and any publicity could turn into my nightmare. “That’s pretty much it.”
“And you and Ben? How did you become friends?” she asks.
I smile at the guy across from me who has been scowling into his coffee for the past five minutes. “You saw a hopeless case and figured she needed a friend, right?”
“You aren’t hopeless. She’s not,” he insists, glancing at Dizzy. “She just needed a friend. And I thought I could be that person.”
“And you’ve been a great friend,” I tell him. “I value your friendship so much. You’ve made school bearable these last couple of months. You’ve played a part in helping me come out of my shell.”
“And you two never…dated?” Dizzy asks.
“No. It’s never been like that between me and Ivy.” Ben reaches for her hand. “We’re just friends.”
“That’s all?” Dizzy asks.
“There was a time when I asked Ivy out,” Ben admits. “But nothing came of it and we decided we were better off as friends.”
“We’re just friends,” I agree. We liked each other, and if I hadn’t met Rogue things might have been different, but they aren’t. Rogue is my everything.
Dizzy jumps up. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Dizzy, come on,” Ben calls as he chases her out onto the pavement in front of the café.
I take a moment and check my phone to give them a modicum of privacy while Ben smoothes her ruffled, suspicious feathers.
A hand grips my shoulder, and I jump.
“Baby, it’s just me.” Rogue’s grumble alleviates my jagged nerves immediately. His fingers squeeze the tension from my muscles.
“What are you doing here?” I get to my feet. He’s wearing shades and a cap with the brim pulled low. One day I’m going to have to break it to him that it does nothing to hide who he is. “How did you know I was here?”
“Your favorite coffee. It’s a school day.” He shrugs. “I tried my luck. And it held. Are you surprised?”
“A little.” Though it really isn’t a leap that I would be at my favorite coffee shop since I told him I was having coffee with Ben. “I thought we were meeting up at my place after.”
