Page 4 of Decked Out with Ivy
“I wear it because I made it.” Disappointment flashed in her light brown eyes. Shades of green sparkled slightly under the lights. “And I like it.”
Oh, for fuck's sake.“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s not the sweater, per se. I just don’t like Christmas.”
“You don’t likeChristmas?” she exclaimed.
Cody barely registered the shock in her voice, too busy fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. It wasn’t like he owed anyone an explanation. Christmas was just another damn holiday he could do without.
He didn’t bother to soften his tone. “Hate it, actually.”
She held her hand to her heart. “Who hurt you?” There was a little humor in her voice, but there was nothing humorous about it.
“Where do I start?” he mumbled, then shook his head. This woman did not need to go down the rabbit hole that was his life. Besides, all she needed to do was do a quick search on the internet to find out his entire life story.
She reached out, her hand resting on his bicep, sending heat rushing through his body. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Her hand dropped away too quickly, and he felt the loss immediately—a chill settling where her touch had been. It had been so long since anyone had affected him this way, since he’dfelt the spark of connection so raw, so undeniable. He wanted to grab her hand, place it where it had been, keep feeling that warmth swirling inside of him. The imprint of her touch lingered, and he couldn’t shake the desire to make it last.
He cleared his throat, focusing on their conversation. “Why not? I don’t give a shit.”
She let out a sigh. “Excuse me for saying this, but you’re kind of a jerk.”
“Yeah, well, being nice has never paid off for me.”
“That’s just sad.”
“Such is life.” He turned away, his body tense, trying to distance himself from the heat rising inside him. But it was pointless. The pull toward her was like a magnetic force. Every nerve-ending flared with the need to close the space between them. He gritted his teeth, fighting the urge that threatened to break through his control. “Do you have anything here that doesn’t make me look like a buffoon?”
She snatched the reindeer sweater and marched toward the front of the store. She dropped the sweater on the counter and spun toward him, finger pointing at his chest. “You will buy the sweater, for me having to put up with your crankiness.” She marched off before he could manage a single word. When she returned, she held a pair of khaki pants. “I’m assuming you're about a thirty-four waist, thirty long.”
“Um, yes, but how did you…?”
“I’ve been measuring for tuxedos for years.”
“What’s that about, anyway?” He nodded toward the tuxedoed mannequins.
“It’s how this business started. I wanted to keep that end going while also modernizing the store and bringing in more options for the town, since not many people in this area are looking for tuxedos. I also picked up knitting and put a few items on sale. Despite what you say, they are a big hit. People love mysweaters and my mittens. Speaking of mittens.” She grabbed a navy pair with a big white snowflake on them and slammed them on top of the pants and sweater. “You can buy these too as a thank you for me not kicking you out of the store.”
“I’m sorry if I insulted you, but I’m never going to wear—”
She cut him a glance that could freeze over LA. He snapped his lips shut. There was no use continuing to poke the bear.
“Besides. All of this will be a fourth of what you would have spent on a single pair of Tom Ford jeans.” She mashed her finger into the register keys. “Tom Ford,” she scoffed under her breath.
She didn’t even bother saying the total aloud, but it was clear in glowing green on the register screen. He tapped his card, and she handed him the receipt.
She tossed the items into a brown paper bag that was covered with a big green stamp of Merry Christmas on the front. She thrust the bag at him. “Enjoy.” She glared at him until he took the bag from her grasp.
“Thanks,” he said, never feeling so unsure in his life as he walked out of the Christmas nightmare, away from the spirited blonde, and into the waiting SUV.
Chapter 2
Ivy adjusted the wood handles of the red knitted purse she had made, complete with a black belt and buckle, and headed into Five Leaf Brewery, trying to forget about her unfortunate encounter with Cody Chance. Whoever the holly jolly heck that was.
He hated Christmas. Who hated Christmas? It was the most wonderful time of year. Someone who hated Christmas sweaters, that’s who. She looked at her sweater poking out of her coat and ran a hand over Santa’s face. “I think you’re cute,” she mumbled before continuing through the crowd, waving to all the familiar faces as she went.
Tonight was Trivia Night and, even better, it was Christmas themed. Ivy was more ready than ever before. She and her team—made up of her two closest friends from grade school—were going to ‘sleigh’ it.
Large green and red ornaments hung from strings wrapped around the exposed beams. A Christmas tree was set up in the corner, filled with gifts being collected for families in need. Ivy had added several wrapped gifts beneath the tree and a few others throughout the town. She didn’t have much, but she had enough, so anything extra she was more than happy to bless someone for the holidays. She just wished she could give more.
Louise waved at her from their usual table while Brooke cuddled up with her boyfriend and previous enemy, Tyler. When their competitiveness came out, if she didn’t know them, she would think they hated each other. But their love for each other was very real. Ivy was happy for her friends, but it didn’t stop the quiet sting that lingered in her chest. Almost everyone in this town seemed to find their perfect match, and she was perpetually single. Destined to be an old woman with no familyof her own, her most prized possession her knitting needles and yarn.