Meanwhile, upstairs, Ivy opened the door after a brief knock. The scent of food flooded the air as the maids entered the room. Ivy’s eyes widened in disbelief as they placed the trays by the side of the bed before exiting as quietly as they had come.
Just as she was about to close the door, something warm and alive nosed its way past her legs. A furry golden retriever shuffled into the room, tail wagging. His nose had clearly led him there.
"Oh... who is this little guy?" Ivy bent down and reached for it. The dog’s tail thumped wildly against the floor, his whole body wriggling. His big brown eyes locked onto hers, melting her in an instant. He stuck out his tongue and gave his mouth a wet lick.
Ivy laughed softly, brushing his ears. "You want some food? Hm? Come on, there’s plenty here." She rose to her feet, gesturing for him to follow, and the retriever trotted obediently beside her. Trish was already perched by the bed, cross-legged, plate in her lap, happily serving herself a mountain of chicken wings and pasta.
Ivy crouched again, taking a piece of chicken between her fingers. She held it out to the retriever, who very gently took it from her hand, chewing noisily at her feet.
She stroked his soft golden fur as he ate, but it meant she barely touched her own plate. She had no appetite anyway; nerves were sitting heavy in her stomach.
"Come on, babes." Trish’s voice jolted her. "Put on your dress." She pointed a fork toward the gown on the bed.
"I wonder who he belongs to," Ivy murmured, still stroking the dog as she stood.
Then came another knock. Trish groaned dramatically. "We are never going to be done in time!"
"Hold on to your panties. We still have time and all I have to do is put on a dress." Ivy rolled her eyes. She crossed the room and swung the door open.
"Winn." Her voice came out smaller than she wanted, softer.
"There he is! I’ve been looking all over for him." Winn gestured toward the retriever who wagged his tail at the sound of familiarity. But his gaze slid lazily to Ivy, her hair a cascade of dark curls, her lips painted soft. His eyes warmed, softened even, betraying that rare crack in his armor. "You look great," he said simply.
"Thank you," Ivy whispered, fingers brushing at a curl. She pointed to the retriever. "Is this your dog?"
"Not exactly." Winn stepped inside, hands tucked in his pockets. The retriever bounded up to him, tail thumping hard against Ivy’s shin as if announcing his loyalty. "He was my gramps’ dog. After gramps passed, he’s been living at the Orchard estate. The staff there care for him, but..."
He crouched slightly to ruffle the dog’s ears, the muscles in his arm flexing beneath the tshirt. "...he hasn’t been the same. He’s been depressed. So I brought him here for the engagement party. It kinda feels like gramps is here with me." His eyes flicked up to Ivy. "Looks like he likes you."
Ivy smiled down at the retriever, scratching his head. "I like him too. He’s a cute guy. Greedy, but cute."
Behind her, Trish had finally peeled herself off the bed, practically vibrating with excitement. She stood directly behind Ivy, wide-eyed, staring at Winn.
Winn noticed. His eyes narrowed slightly as if rifling through memory. "I know you," he said.
Trish gasped so loudly Ivy nearly jumped. Her hand shot to her chest. "You... you know me." She spun toward Ivy with her mouth open. "Ivy! He knows me." Her whine was so dramatic it was almost inaudible.
Winn gave a short, amused exhale, tilting his head at her. "Yeah. From Commissioned. You dance there."
Trish clapped her hands together as if she’d just won a pageant. "Yes! Yes, I do." She angled her head coyly, lashes fluttering, her entire body humming.
Winn smirked, and gave her a simple, "It’s nice to meet you."
Ivy wanted to bury her face in her hands.
Winn closed the small space between himself and Ivy.
His eyes dropped to her painted lips. "Will I ruin your makeup if I kiss you?"
"I’ll just lather it on again," Trish offered brightly.
Ivy chuckled. His hand tilted her jaw upward, his thumb brushing the curve of her chin. His lips found hers in a soft kiss.
"Awwww..." Trish droned.
"I can’t wait to marry you," Winn whispered when he pulled back, his breath brushing her lips, eyes burning into hers.
"You might be disappointed," she murmured, her lashes lowering to shield her gaze.
"I doubt it." He turned to the golden retriever sprawled across the rug. "Come on, Jasper. Come on."
The dog blinked once, licked his paw, and ignored him entirely.
"Oh, let him be. He’s better company than this crazy one here," Ivy teased, glancing at Trish who still looked as though she had seen God step out of the clouds.
Trish’s dreamy sigh made Ivy laugh, and she smacked her playfully on the arm.
"Alright," Winn said finally, focusing again on Ivy. "I’ll come pick you up in an hour. The guests are already here. And I’m taking you into hiding immediately after the party. The news will hit the press, and well...You’ll be under public scrutiny for a while."
"Oh boy!" Ivy sighed. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
"No." She shook her head slowly, her curls bouncing against her cheeks. "Just overwhelmed. It’s really happening."
"Yes, it really is happening. I’ll see you in a bit." Winn said softly, his thumb brushing along the curve of Ivy’s jaw one last time before he pressed a reassuring kiss to her cheek. It lingered just long enough to make her heart trip over itself. Then, he turned and closed the door behind him.
Ivy caught the dreamy look on Trish’s face. "Pathetic," she muttered. "Girl, you embarrass me," she said aloud.
"I embarrass myself," Trish countered instantly, spinning around with a wide grin. She clutched her heart dramatically. "But it was totally worth it. That was Winn Kane—in the flesh. Oh my God, I have been a huge fan since his girlfriend of ten years dumped him!"