Love You Better (Better Love 1)

She looks at me then, and my heart jumps into my throat. She must be wearing her contacts tonight, because her eyes are unobstructed and bright. The color of her dress brings out every shade of blue in them. Her irises are a kaleidoscope of blues, and like a magnet, I’m pulled to her. I’ve spent most of the night looking at her, watching her with Tyler, with irritation clouding my vision. Now, in the silence and privacy of this room, I’m seeing her with clarity, and she’s absolutely beautiful.

With each step toward her, more details come into focus.

Her eyes are lined with some sort of silver makeup, and her lashes look darker and fuller and longer than I’ve ever seen them. Crystals matching the ones on her dress are dangling from her earlobes, and when I’m mere inches in front of her, I reach up and touch one. The warmth coming off her body is a direct contrast to the cool, metallic material of the earring, and it feels fragile on my fingertips.

“They’re not real,” Ivy whispers. She’s barely breathing, and my eyes flick to her mouth. “They’re fake. Costume jewelry.”

I know she’s talking about the earrings, but now her lips are the sole focus of my attention. They’re a soft shade of pink, almost nude, but slightly darker than normal. If I kiss them, will they feel as pillowy as they look?

Ivy’s mouth opens slightly, and her tongue sneaks out to wet her lips, making the plump lower one glisten. Somehow my left hand has found its way to her waist, and my right hand slides to the back of her neck and I slip my fingers into her hair. Everywhere my skin touches her is buzzing.

“Kelley,” she whispers. I look up to meet her gaze, but her beautiful eyes are closed, and I miss them. I want them on me.

“Ivy,” I say and press our foreheads together.

“Yes?” Her voice trembles. I graze my nose along hers.

“I want...” I lick my lips.

“...Yes?” Her soft panting breaths fan over my face, and I pause, willing my heart to stop pounding.

I’m going to kiss her.

I’m going to kiss her and I’m never going to stop.

“Ivy, I want to kiss you.” Her tiny hands grip the front of my suit jacket and my stomach tenses. I can feel her knuckles pressing into my abs.

“So do it,” she says, and I’m momentarily struck dumb.

I can’t move. I’m frozen. I’m an id

iotic circus clown statue.

When the meaning of her words finally sinks into my numb skull, that Ivy Rivenbark just gave me permission to kiss her, I lean forward, brushing my lips lightly over hers. It’s the faintest of touches, but it ignites a fire in my gut. I kiss the corner of her mouth, mustering up the courage to connect our lips for real. To do it right.

And then my phone rings.

What the fuck.

“Crazy in Love” plays loudly from the pocket of my suit pants, the ringtone Shelby set for herself without asking me, and I’m assaulted with our reality.

I have a girlfriend. Ivy has a boyfriend. Ivy is my best friend, and I was just milliseconds away from saying, “I don’t give a fuck,” to all of that.

We break contact and step away from each other at the same time, but I don’t reach for my phone. We’re locked in a silent staring contest when the song stops, and we’re still staring when the song starts back again.

Ivy looks away first, clamping her eyes shut, and I know she’s counting her breaths.

“Answer her,” she commands. There are no emotions in her voice. Just business.

I hesitate.

“Answer her, Kelley,” she insists.

With my eyes set on Ivy, I answer my phone.

“Yeah?”

“Kap, where are you? They’re gonna announce Prom King and Queen any minute!” Shelby exclaims on the other end. She’s been excited about this for weeks.