It’ll be a detox from drugs, alcohol, and every vice, but also from the fame and scrutiny that crushes her on a daily basis.
My sister looks scared, but she puts on a brave smile and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you, Ivy. I’m sorry for causing you pain.”
“Stop it,” I say, sniffling. “Just get yourself better.”
Margot nods. Her long hair is tied back in a ponytail, and her face is free of makeup. She looks tired, yet gorgeous. My sister turns away from me and follows one of the center’s staff down a long, carpeted corridor. I watch her disappear, feeling equally devastated and proud.
Devastated, because my sister isn’t the person I thought she was, and because I was too self-absorbed to see that she needed my help.
Proud, because my sister was able to walk into this facility with her head held high. She’s facing her demons head-on, without hesitation.
Would I have done the same?
I’m not sure.
I drive back to Farcliff in silence, drumming my hands on the steering wheel. When I get home, I swap the car for my scooter. I need to feel the air whipping around my face, and the freedom of having two wheels underneath me.
I drive aimlessly through the Farcliff countryside until the sun starts to go down. When I make it back to my own house, I feel calmer than I have since this whole ordeal started. I park my scooter on the side of our mansion, and jingle my keys in my hand as I head toward the front door.
Prince Luca is sitting on my front porch. He lifts his head and smiles at me, relief evident on his face.
“I was worried about you,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “I missed you last night.”
“Me too.” My voice is muffled in his broad chest.
“I have a surprise for you.”
I pull away to look at the Prince’s face.
Luca’s eyes glimmer, and he nods to the driveway. “Come on. I have something to show you.”
28
Luca
It took a lot of string-pulling to get this surprise organized in just one week, but seeing Ivy in pain was enough motivation for me to do it.
I drive through the streets of Farcliff City toward the main shopping district. Parking the car on a side street, I produce a blindfold and dangle it in front of Ivy.
“Put this on.”
“I’m scared,” she grins, taking the blindfold. “What are you planning?”
“Just put it on,” I laugh, taking the silk blindfold from her and securing it around her eyes. I jog around the front of the car and open the door for her, helping her out.
Leading her down the street, I take a set of keys out of my pocket, jingling to tease her. Ivy titters, squeezing my hand. Then, I unlock the back door of the shop. Ivy stumbles over the threshold, but I catch her before she falls. Taking her hand, I can’t keep the smile from my face. I lead her down a narrow hallway and into the main kitchens.
Ivy’s pulse is hammering. I can see it thumping in her neck as I stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“You ready?” I whisper in her ear.
Ivy bites her lip. “I’m not sure.” She smiles, and my heart does a flip. I’ve seen far too few smiles from her this week.
Hopefully this surprise will remedy that.
I pull the blindfold off her head and take a step back. Ivy pauses, looking around the room. Gleaming stainless steel counters stare back at her, complete with a row of brand-new ovens, industrial stand mixers, molds, pans, bowls, utensils, and everything else that she could possibly need to start her bakery.
Ivy’s jaw drops. She spins in a slow circle, taking everything in, and finally letting her gaze land on me.
“What is this place?”
“This is Spoonful of Sugar.”
Ivy frowns. “What?”
I laugh, kissing the tip of her nose. Nodding to the swinging door, I guide her out into the shopfront. I start pointing. “This is where you’ll display all your incredible baked goods. That’s where customers will walk in. This is where you’ll take their orders, and that’s where they’ll pay.”
Ivy’s breath hitches. Tears cloud her eyes as her fingers come up to cover her mouth. Her eyes drift up to the sign above our heads. I’ve had it commissioned with the logo she sketched.
“Luca,” she whispers.
“It’s yours, Ivy.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders. “The lease on this place is paid for three years. I was