18. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Holland

I watch Ivy, and listen to Slate, take an afternoon nap. Ivy's dark hair splayed on the pillowcase always makes me pause. Mostly, it makes me think about how this bed was empty for so long, how lonely I was.

Not anymore.

After our extracurricular kitchen activities, and finishing the second bottle of champagne, Ivy was spent. I know she's bummed about missing the event, but she's taking it like a champ. I'm proud of her, but it still hurts to know this is breaking her sweet, planning heart.

Careful not to disturb them, I slowly get up from the bed, checking over my shoulder before I go down the stairs. I have an idea, one that needs both Viv and Bea. I put on my winter coat and boots—needing to check on the generator—and go outside. I don't want Ivy to overhear me.

The wind is dying down, but there are still strong gusts that come and go. The snow steadily falls, nothing like the overnight pace though. My teeth chatter as I look around, the snow sparkling around me. Hazel would love this.

First, I call Bea.

"Want to help me with an Ivy surprise?" I ask, knowing it's the best way to catch her attention and not have her launch into something random. She always has a story to tell me .

"You know I always do," she says, quiet in the phone, like she's telling a secret.

"Ivy's not able to make it back to New York, so she's missing the event. I'm thinking we do something at the lodge at the same time. We'll need the guests, the chefs, anyone willing to help."

"Perfect! People are getting a little stir crazy here. They'll love it." I love how enthusiastic she gets.

I share what I'm thinking, giving her enough direction but knowing she'll put her own spin on it, which is exactly what I want.

"Holland, this is going to be so fun! I'm surprised you came up with it to be honest." Bea's voice sounds a little skeptical as she delivers the backhanded compliment.

She's not wrong. Ivy always gives me more ways to even surprise myself.

"You're so nice to me, Bea." I poke her back. "I'm going to coordinate with Vivian, but I'm sure she'll reach out to you."

"Yes! We'll get going on this today and I'll keep you updated." Bea hangs up before I even have a chance to respond. Guess she's excited.

Peeking at the windows, I look to see if anyone is moving around inside. When I don't see anything, I call Viv, hoping Ivy is still asleep.

Vivian answers the phone with, "Is everything okay? Also, I've been texting Ivy and she hasn't responded."

"Yes, everything is good. I entertained her with a mimosa bar and she's taking a nap."

"Good god, that's adorable," she says in the flat way that if you didn't know her, you'd think she was making fun of you.

"I'm trying to do something for Ivy, since she's missing the event tomorrow. I think you'll be able to help, well you and Bea."

"If Bea's in, I'm in!" she says before I can even share any details on what I'm asking. "I do need to get a handle on this to-do list Ivy gave me, but I think I'll be able to knock most of it out no problem."

I tell her my idea and when Vivian gasps, I know it's a good one.

"Are you fucking kidding me? This is genius!" Viv says, a much better compliment than what I got from Bea.

A wave of excitement hits me, now that Viv and Bea are both in on it, and it feels like something we might be able to pull off. "Do you think it'll work?" I ask.

"For sure. Let me check with the event team at the venue, and I'll coordinate with Bea. Talk soon!" She hangs up, again, before I have a chance to say anything else.

I stare at my now-blank phone screen and shake my head. Viv and Bea are kind of the same person in a lot of ways. Before I get too reflective, a wind gust hits and puts snow in my eyes, also flying into my coat where it wasn't zipped, like around my neck.

I hurry inside, closing the door, and Slate barks from upstairs.