Page 71 of Lonely Heart

I feigned innocence. “Someone gave it to me.”

My sister’s eyes narrowed. “Who? And why?”

“Well, it is Valentine’s Day.”

Surprise washed over both of their faces, their brows shooting up, but it was Ava who spoke. “Who is your valentine?”

I shifted back and forth, my hands fidgeting. “I… I can’t…”

“Ivy,” Jules called.

“Yeah?”

“What’s going on?”

My shoulders fell. I hated this. Jules and Ava meant the world to me, and in any other scenario, I would have called them long before I got to work today. In fact, it was likely I would have called them before I even went out on my date with Marco on Saturday. But now I was here in this situation with Marco, I wanted to enjoy it, and I didn’t know what to do.

Because there was the aspect of enjoying it with Marco, of being able to have the time to just be happy together before we had to contend with the very real possibility of some tension and turmoil in the family. And then there was the side of enjoying it with the people who meant so much to me.

The longer I stood there, taking in their curious and hopeful looks, the more difficult it became to not feel the overwhelming urge to share the truth with them.

If I told them, I knew Marco wouldn’t be upset about it. But I was sure he’d want to be the one to tell Cooper.

“Okay. I really want to tell you everything, but I need you to make me a promise first.”

“What?”

My eyes shifted between the two of them. “You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to share. Not a single soul.”

“You know I would never betray your confidence,” Jules said.

I gave her a nod of understanding and shifted my attention to Ava. “Not even Tate. I know he’s your husband now, and I’d never want you to keep secrets from him, but you can’t tell him about this. He’ll eventually know, but I have to be the one to share it with him.”

“You’re my best friend, Ivy. Tate knows that. And he’d never expect me to share private conversations that you and I have.”

I swallowed hard, bit my lip, and ultimately, broke out into a smile. “It’s Marco.”

“Marco?”

My feet carried me toward the flower. I lifted the slender vase, held it up to my nose, and inhaled. “We’ve been spending some time together over the last month. Ever since the attack. And this weekend, we went out on our first official date.”

Ava’s mouth fell open.

Jules blinked rapidly. “So, you’re… you and Marco are dating now? Are you together?”

I nodded slowly. “We are. We’re trying this out and seeing where it goes.”

My best friend managed to pull herself together. “Are you happy?”

Tears filled my eyes, my throat getting tight. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

She stepped forward and threw her arms around me. “This is the best news, Ivy. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Ava.”

Jules didn’t hesitate to share her feelings. “As much of a surprise as this is, I’m thrilled for you, too. Both of you. But what I don’t understand is why you need us to keep it a secret.”

I set the flower down, jerked my head toward the door, and said, “I’ll tell you on the way to lunch.”