Decked Out with Ivy (Red Maple Falls #13)

Chapter 18

“And that’s a wrap,” Ang said, sending a wave of applause through the set.

Cody didn’t feel like celebrating, but the cast and crew had done a hell of a job getting this film done on such a tight schedule. He clapped for them.

Ang walked up to him, patting him on the back. “You did good,” he said, and just like when Ivy gave him that compliment in her parents’ kitchen, warmth and gratitude spread through him. “But looks like you messed up off set.”

“I did.” Even if he didn’t know how that story got leaked, it still got leaked. “I need to make it right.”

“Then why are you still here? Go get your girl,” he said.

“But I should stick around.”

“We’re having a wrap party tomorrow night. We’ll see you then.”

Ang had given him a chance when he didn’t have to. He believed in him when so many had blacklisted him. He turned to the director. “Thank you for everything. You didn’t have to put your faith in me, and you did. I hope my performance is all you hoped for.”

“It’s more. I think this movie is going to become an instant holiday classic, and that’s because of you and Bex.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit. Actors are only as good as their directors.”

He held out his hand. Ang clasped his hand and pulled him in for a hug. Ang patted his back twice then pushed him away. “Go.”

He turned to rush off and almost crashed into Bex. Her lips were set in a tight line, and he braced himself for her to tell him off for hurting Ivy. If she had looked over for even a second, she would have known something was off between them.

“I’m going to fix this,” he said.

“Good. Ivy deserves someone who will fight for her.”

“I would die for her.”

Bex glanced at his mittens and smiled. “I know. I’ll see you both tomorrow at the party.” She slipped her phone out and smiled. “By the way. Chase and Matt met up with your photographer friend before he even made it out of the parking lot. “Those pictures won’t leak.”

“How?” he asked.

“Let’s just say you owe me. Big time.”

“Whatever you want. It’s yours.” He pulled her in for a hug, relief flooding through his too tense body. One obstacle down. “Thank you.”

“Don’t make me regret it,” Bex said. “Now go.”

He nodded and took off for the parking lot. He had texted Jim earlier and asked him to pick him up in an hour. This whole not being able to drive thing was a real pain in his ass. After the arrest, he pretty much accepted his fate. Was almost embarrassed and ashamed of what had happened to him. He was done letting people take advantage of him. Done letting them control the narrative that was his life. He was ready to get his life back on track and reclaim everything those assholes had taken from him.

He would fight, but first he needed to fight for his girl or nothing else mattered.

Snow started to fall in big flakes, coating the pavement and trees. The familiar SUV was parked right in front, and Cody opened the door and jumped into the passenger seat.

“Where we heading?” Jim asked.

“Ivy’s place.”

“Saw the headlines today. That was nice what you did for her.” He hadn’t even told Jim the details of their night, even when he dropped him at the theater. He’d wanted it to be special and between him and Ivy.

“Yeah, it was until it became a story. Ivy’s upset, and she has every right to be. It was supposed to be private. My Christmas gift to her and now it’s almost Christmas, and I took away her gift. She hates me right now. I don’t even know if she’ll forgive me.”

“Have faith. It’s the most magical time of the year.”

The windshield wipers swiped away the snow as quickly as it fell. He focused on Jim’s words, trying to conjure up as much faith as possible. His cell rang, and his heart stopped for a moment as he slipped it out of his coat pocket. He hoped to see Ivy’s name on the screen, but disappointment settled in when it wasn’t.

“Ronnie,” he said as soon as she said hello. “How the hell did that story get out?” He tried to keep his tone even, but the frustration and anger rushed to the surface.

Ronnie was the only person he told.

“I called them,” she said matter-of-factly, and he could almost feel the knife stabbing into his back. “It was too good not to share.”

Disappointment and anger swelled inside of him and slammed together. “Ronnie, that was personal. It wasn’t meant for anyone else. I’m going to lose her because something that was supposed to be special has turned into the latest headline. I gave her something from the heart, and you took it away from her.”

There was silence on the other end, and he almost thought Ronnie hung up on him, but then he heard her breath rustle against the phone.

“Cody, I’m sorry. I didn’t think beyond your career, and I should have.”

“Ivy thinks I did it all for the story and not because I love her.”

“Wait… You love her?” Ronnie exclaimed.

“Yes, I do.”

“Well, boy,” he could hear the smile in her voice. “This is the stuff you’re made for. Big screen moment. Find the girl. Make it memorable. And I better get an invite to the wedding.”

“I need to find her first.”

“You will.”