enjoyebooks Chapter 17: The Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 17: The Calm Before the Storm
Diary Entry:
Date: September 18th
Time: 12:30 AM
Dear Diary,
Alec took me out today.
It wasn’t part of the plan—it wasn’t for show. It was real.
He bought me coffee, laughed at my bad jokes, and let me see the person beneath the perfect facade.
I almost forgot about Genevieve and Brandon, about everything that’s coming.
Almost.
But I’m starting to think that falling for Alec might be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done.
-Ivy
Ivy wasn’t expecting him.
She had barely rolled out of bed, still in an oversized sweater and sleep-mussed hair, when the knock at her door came.
Alec.
Standing there in a dark coat, two coffees in hand, and the faintest trace of a smile.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, offering her one of the cups.
Ivy eyed him suspiciously. “Is this part of the act?”
Alec’s lips twitched, but his gaze was steady. “No,” he said simply. “This is just us.”
Something in her chest tightened.
They drove into town, stopping at a small, quiet café tucked between two towering boutiques. The kind of place Ivy never would’ve picked because it looked expensive and pretentious—until Alec surprised her by ordering the most ridiculous dessert on the menu.
Ivy arched a brow as the plate arrived, layered with gold flakes and drizzled in some kind of imported chocolate.
“Oh my god,” she deadpanned. “Do you even know what normal food is?”
Alec, to her utter shock, laughed.
A real, genuine laugh. Not the polite chuckle he used at business events or the condescending smirk he threw her way when she annoyed him.
And Ivy laughed too, because for the first time since she met him, Alec wasn’t untouchable.
They walked through town after, the sun dipping lower, the streets filling with warm, golden light.
At one point, Alec reached for her hand.
Ivy felt his fingers brush hers, light, hesitant.
She glanced down. Surprised.
But she didn’t pull away.
Alec’s grip tightened just slightly, his thumb grazing against her skin, and Ivy’s heart skipped.
Neither of them said anything about it.
They reached her apartment too soon.
Ivy lingered by the door, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag, her heartbeat annoyingly uneven.
Alec stood close—not touching her, but close enough that she could feel his presence, his warmth.
“Ivy,” he said, his voice lower now, rougher.
She looked up. His gaze was steady. Solid.
He meant this.
“I meant what I said before,” Alec murmured.
Ivy swallowed. “About what?”
Alec’s eyes flickered to her lips. Then back to her eyes.
“I’ll stand by your side,” he said softly.
And Ivy believed him.
Her throat went dry. She wanted to say something back, but all she could do was nod, her fingers tightening slightly around the fabric of her sweater.
Alec’s lips parted, like he was going to say something else.
But instead—he reached up.
Slowly.
Gently.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
Ivy stopped breathing.
“Goodnight,” Alec murmured, his hand lingering for a second longer than necessary.
Then, he stepped back.
Ivy exhaled.
She opened the door, stepping inside, her skin still burning where his fingers had touched.
And for the first time, she realized—
She didn’t want to be pretending anymore either.