Page 50 of Paparazzi Perfect
“Yeah, that’s me. Thanks for waiting.” I got in the back seat, clicked the seat belt into place, then gave him Ivy’s address after asking him to stop at the closest grocery store on the way.
So far, things had gone according to plan. Not even two hours earlier, I’d boarded the flight from Sydney, and I was already on my way to see her.
But I was nervous. Nervous she wouldn’t want to talk to me. Or even look at me.
Please let her be at home—or I’m cooked.I had to at least get a chance to tell her the truth about what had happened.
As we sped along, I took in the blur of palm trees and city lights. There was barely another car on the road. My mind whirled from one thing to another as I stared through the window.
I wonder what Dyson wants to talk to me about. It must be something important for him to make a trip to Sydney—
“Here we are, mate,” said Milton, stopping in front of a grocery store.
“Awesome, I’ll just be a minute,” I replied, hurrying inside.
I grabbed two prepaid phones and waited for the attendant to shuffle over from the back of the store…
If we could just find a way to work things out, we’d be able to talk without my father knowing… but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.
She might never talk to me again.
The attendant arrived. After processing the order, he held out his hand and took the cash from me before I hurried back to the car.
A short time later, as we neared Ivy’s street, my mouth went dry. “Just drop me off here,” I said as we turned into the street.
A wave of excitement surged through me, fueled by the thought of seeing her again.How’s she going to react when she sees me?
A prickle ran down my back.This is it.
DON’T. FUCK. IT. UP!
Milton shut the engine off. “If you don’t want to miss your flight, make sure you’re back by four a.m.” He pushed his seat back, pulled his cap over his face, and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Thanks, man.” I got out, smoothing my shirt as I took a breath to try and calm my nerves.
12
PLEASE
KARSON
As I walked up the moonlit street, a car approached from the opposite direction and stopped in front of Ivy’s house. The back doors opened, and two women got out.
It’s her!My heart missed a beat.
After a brief conversation, they hugged. Then Ivy turned briefly in my direction before walking toward the beach. Willing myself to believe everything would work out, I followed.
When I stepped onto the sand, I spotted her sitting cross-legged, her shoes strewn beside her. Moonlight flooded the beach, lighting up her hair as it blew softly in the wind.
In one smooth movement, she pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them as she stared out over the crashing waves.
“Ivy,” I said huskily, “it’s me.”
She swung around, her eyes wide, gaping at me in horror for what felt like an eternity as I stood there on the beach.
“What are you doing here?” She rose to her feet. A deep furrow creased her brow. “Just leave.I don’t want to hear any more of yourlies.”
She stared at the sand unable to stand the sight of me.
