I head to the B&B, and it’s busy as always. After filling a bowl, I sit down to eat with Grayson and Payton. It’s obvious they want to give me shit about the twins, but neither of them talks about anything other than the weather and work stuff.

My eyes dart toward the door each time it opens, hoping Knox will walk in. Though I doubt he’d even speak to me anyway since he’s hell-bent on ending things before giving them a chance. After not telling him my decision at the party, he’s taking that as a rejection. He’s made it very clear that he’s walking away, so why do I still want him so much?

I wake up feeling light on my feet. After clearing the air with Kane yesterday, I’ve been in a much better mood. Around one, I drive to the mall to meet Ivy and Harper for some last-minute Christmas shopping, and the parking lot is packed.

Since they carpooled, I met them at the main entrance. As soon as Ivy sees me, she rushes up and hugs me.

“You look so pretty!” I tell her, twisting her reddish-brown curly hair around my finger. She’s wearing a dark green sweater that makes her eyes pop.

“Thanks, sis.” She beams. “You do too.”

“I’m gonna have to scare so many boys away, aren’t I?” I say with a laugh as we walk inside.

“That’s what I said!” Harper tells me.

“Nah, I’ve only got my eye on one man,” she taunts.

“Ooh, who?” Harper asks as we make our way through the crowd.

“Yeah, who? Why haven’t you told me?” I ask, offended.

Ivy zips her lips and shrugs. “It’s a secret.”

“Why? Is he older?” Harper waggles her brows.

“Oh my God, it better not be a teacher.” I scold.

“Ew, no! Have you seen the teachers at my school lately? They’re all over fifty.” Ivy cringes. Well, thank goodness.

By her pink-tinted cheeks, I’d say Harper’s right about him being older. Probably a senior. She’s sixteen, so it’s not that much of an age difference. I remember having crushes on boys in high school. Though I know it’ll eventually happen, the last thing I want for Ivy is for her heart to be broken because it fucking sucks. She’s too kind and willing to help anyone.

We go into the first store, and holiday music blares through the speakers. The mannequins are dressed in red, green, and gold, and fake snow is sprayed on the display windows.

“I’m searching for something for Mom,” I tell Ivy.

“Oh, she wants romance books,” she explains, pulling out her phone. “I asked her, and she gave me a list. I can Airdrop it if you want.”