Free Falling to Pieces by Amber Garza Page B

points a finger at me. “Don’t go after him, Asher, it’s over. I should’ve never flirted with him in the first place.”
    “You flirted with him?” I curl my mouth upward. “Show me.”
    Ivy rolls her eyes, and groans. “Man, all guys are the same.”
    “I’m sorry,” I say. “Maybe if you weren’t so damn sexy you wouldn’t have this problem.”
    “I don’t think being sexy is a prerequisite for trying to get in someone’s pants. Most guys I know aren’t that discriminating,” Ivy banters back.
    I wonder why every girl can’t be like her. “Think what you want, but I know what I see , and it’s pretty sexy.” Giggling drifts from the driveway, and I notice that the same couple is still out here making out. I grab Ivy’s hand and tug her toward the front steps. Once I reach them I lower myself down and sit on the bottom one. Ivy follows me. Her floral perfume is carried on the breeze. When she sits, she tosses a strand of hair over her shoulder, exposing her neck. It’s so sensual I have to look away. Her dress creeps up her legs, and she pulls it down. That’s the thing about Ivy. She may have it, but she’s uncomfortable flaunting it.  I reach out and run my fingertips over her thigh. Goosebumps break out on her skin, and she tucks her leg closer to her body. “I think maybe the dress is a problem too.”
    “Oh yeah?” She cocks an eyebrow.
    I nod. “I mean, that Dustin guy may be a jerk, but I kind of don’t blame him for trying to cop a feel.”
    “Is that what you would’ve tried to do?” Ivy’s eyes shine under the glaring porch lights.
    “Nah, I only would have touched you if you wanted it.” I lean toward her ear, savoring the way her cheeks flush slightly. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be thinking about it.”
    She squirms from my words , scooting away from me. “I think it’s time to find Billie and get outta here.”
    After she stands, I hop up and snatch her hand. “I’ll take you home.”
    “No, it’s fine. I came here with Billie and I should go home with her.”  She turns away from me , and disappears inside the house.
    I blow out a breath. What am I doing? Man, Cole is right. How does this chick always have the ability to suck me back in? At the thought of Cole my stomach wrenches. He’s going to kill me when he finds out I ditched that nice girl in the kitchen and almost got in a fight over Ivy. I’m hoping he’s been so busy with Mercedes that he’ll never find out.  It’s not like I’m ever going to spill the story to him.
    Ivy appears in front of me again, shoulders sagging as she walks down the front stairs. “Billie’s a little detained right now.”
    “So, what’s the deal? Is she dating that guy?” I ask.
    “Nah, Billie’s a commitment-phobe. Brandon’s just another passing phase, I’m sure.” Ivy crosses her arms over her chest.
    “You cold?” I sling an arm over her shoulder, and draw her to my side. I marvel at how right it feels when she’s in my arms. It’s as natural as breathing with me and her.
    “So, did you mean it?” She peers up at me.
    “Mean what?”
    “That you’d take me home?”
    “Sure.” I smile, yanking my keys out of my pocket.
    “ Did you bring your bike?”
    I shake my head. “I’m afraid it’s the car tonight. I gave Cole a ride and I’m not really into guys riding with me on my motorcycle.”
    She giggles. “Yeah, that makes sense.” Then she eyes me suspiciously. “ You haven’t been drinking, have you?”
    “No, I’m Cole’s DD. So, all I’ve had is a little soda.”
    “I didn’t even see Cole here.”
    “That’s probably a good thing,” I say.
    She smiles ruefully. “Yeah, probably.”
    I find her hand and tuck it in mine. “C’mon, I’ll get you home.”
    Once we’re in the car and driving down the road I say, “I was surprised to see you at the party. The Ivy I remember hates parties.”
    “People change,” she says, staring out the window.
    I mull this over a