Chapter 522
Besides, Naylor really did save the day yesterday. Katrina owed him a huge debt, and Ivy knew her best friend would want to thank him properly – face to face. So, of course, she needed to know all the details.
And, if she was honest, there was a little self-interest at play…
Even though Jamison had teased her for playing matchmaker and insisted Katrina wasn’t Naylor’s type, Ivy couldn’t help holding out hope. Sharing details was her way of seeing if Katrina might have feelings for him, too.
Katrina just stared, completely stunned, unable to react for a long moment.
Seeing this, Ivy immediately felt a wave of regret. Katrina had already been through so much lately – was this just too much for her to handle? She gave her friend’s arm a gentle nudge. “Katrina… Katrina?”
“Huh?” Katrina suddenly snapped back to herself.
“Are you okay? Don’t worry, nothing happened between you and Naylor. He was a perfect gentleman – when he carried you at the hotel, the first thing he did was fix your clothes so you wouldn’t be embarrassed. He’s really decent.”
Katrina didn’t know Naylor well, but she trusted Ivy completely.
“Don’t worry, I’m not bothered by that. Compared to what Emma and her friends tried to do, this is nothing.”
She was practical about it, not hung up on the details.
“Mr. Wilson saved me, and I even made a fool of myself in front of him… Once I get my life back in order, I’ll thank him in person.”
“You should. If it weren’t for him last night-” Ivy’s voice faltered as guilt swept over her. “Katrina, this whole mess happened because of me, and thank God you’re okay. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to you.”
She meant every word.
Even though a night had passed, just thinking back made her heart pound with fear. She understood Emma’s motive perfectly – it was all about destroying her best friend to get to her, to drive a wedge between them and turn them into enemies.
Ivy had never met anyone so vicious.
Emma had crossed the line into cruelty.
Katrina squeezed her hand, her tone gentle and reassuring. “Don’t overthink it. I don’t blame you at all. Emma just wants to ruin our friendship, to turn us against each other. We’re not going to let her win.”
Those words eased the tightness in Ivy’s chest. She nodded, grateful for her friend’s forgiveness and trust.
By evening, Jamison had driven Ivy back to the old family house.
Halley Ludwig, their little nephew, knew his uncle and aunt were coming home and had been playing in the yard, sneaking peeks at the gate every few minutes.
“Aunt Ivy is back! Aunt Ivy!”
The moment Ivy stepped out of the car, Halley came running at full speed.
He used to reserve that kind of welcome for Jamison.
“Hal!” Ivy knelt down, arms wide, and scooped the little guy into a hug.
He’d grown even taller and sturdier in just a week.
She tried to lift him off the ground but nearly lost her balance instead; he was heavier than she remembered.
Thankfully, Jamison was quick – he caught her from behind, then lifted his nephew off her with practiced ease. “You’ve definitely put on some weight! Careful, or you’ll turn into a little butterball and all the girls at preschool will leave you.”
“Don’t tease him!” Ivy gave Jamison a playful smack.
Jamison grinned. “I’m not making it up – he told me himself he has more than one girlfriend.”
“I don’t anymore,” Halley corrected, looking very serious. “Dad says a man should be loyal – only one girlfriend allowed!”
Ivy burst out laughing, ruffling his hair as they walked toward the house. “Hal, do you really have a girlfriend?”
He let out a dramatic sigh, his face clouding over with worry. “Well… maybe not for much longer.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? Why’s that?”