Ivy

In from the snow

"Eileene Veronica," she stated with an outstretched hand "but everyone calls me Ivy." I stare blankly at this woman for a second, her unwavering confidence took me aback, but I was destined to be a spectacular host, so I composed myself and took her hand. Her grown out red gel manicure grazed my cracked knuckles, and I felt a spark shoot through me. My blue eyes shot up to meet her emerald gaze, searching hers for a sign she felt it too, but her face stayed the solid plastered smile she held when I first opened the door.

"Rebekah Stone." I managed to squeak out under her gaze. "Welcome to my home, Bill has spoken very highly of you." I realized I had not broken eye contact with her. I feel my husband's hand extend to the small of my back, taking me out of my thoughts and back to the front room where I stand, and the cold porch where poor Ivy is shivering. "Please come in!"

She drops my hand and dawns a more conserved smile as she steps through my doorway, I finally have the chance to take in everything about her. She's tall, very tall, taller than Bill even. Her red hair, wild and unruly, maybe from the weather, but something tells me that's not the case. She hands her jacket to my husband, wiping the snow off it, revealing the dark green midi dress and her glittering necklace. At first, I assumed it was a diamond, but upon further inspection, the medley of colors gives a different impression, opal maybe? Her shoes are unconventional for a business dinner, black calf high combat boots with too many buckles I'm sure do nothing. I notice her eyes inspect me as well and I feel a wave of self-consciousness wash over me.

My blonde hair was back in a neat sock bun, I had on one of my nice dresses, a soft pink maxi dress with these gorgeous sleeves, and my mother's pearl necklace. I had a pair of white kitten heels to complete my look, and I know I looked dang good. I cursed myself for letting a woman wearing combat boots to a dinner party make me doubt myself.

"I must say Becky, your house is stunning. I figured Billy Boy had a sweet place but goddamn, this tops my expectations." I cringed at her words, flashbacks of the countless times my mother uttered the name offhandedly despite my protests. I didn't have to look at him to know Bill was staring at me wide eyed, he knows nobody calls me that anymore.

"Rebekah." My tone was sharp and direct. Ivy's smile instantly dropped, she looked a little embarrassed, I realized I could've been nicer. "Sorry, only people back home called me Becky, I never really liked it though, thank you for the kind words about my house, it does mean a lot." I smile at her hoping that would dissipate the air of awkwardness that consumed us. She rewarded my efforts with a kind smile.

"Right, well Rebekah-" the way my name rolled so smoothly out of her tightlined lips gave me a feeling I don't quite know how to describe yet. "I am so excited to see what you have prepared for dinner. Y'know, if you're even half the chef that Bill made you out to be, I may never leave this place." I blushed, I always liked how kindly he speaks about me. I gave her a warm smile and welcomed her into my home. She followed me around as I showed her the welcome sitting areas for the party, the dining room, and the living room, and told her to make herself comfortable until the food was ready. I greeted the other guests, most of which I had already met in the months past as Bill has introduced them.

There was James, a cocky blonde-haired blue-eyed man with just too much to say, always making eyes at me, or at least that's what Bill says. Stephen is what I would call a classic businessman, dark hair, mustache, distant, witty, but still kind. He always compliments the leftovers Bill brings in for lunch, some days I send Bill with two meals so Stephen can try my cooking. Finally, there's Peter, scrawny and mousy haired and he's the same age as Bill, but that's where the similarities stop. Peter is quite the wildcard, he was a party boy in college, barely passing, though his father was able to secure him this job. The one good thing about him is he's not cocky like James. I made my rounds speaking to the boys and their wives, offering drinks and snacks while they waited for the main course. I avoided Ivy as I didn't quite know what to think of her yet. Her laugh could be heard from across the world, it was piercing but musical, she thew her head back like a little kid, her wild hair bouncing to the beat of her chuckles. I tried to be annoyed but what good would that be for me?

When my roast was done, I called the guests into the dining room to finally eat, I took my place next to Bill and low and behold, miss Ivy sat right across from me. She gave me a crooked smile and began loudly discussing their latest project with my husband.

"I mean can you believe the deadline? The fuck does Corey think we do? This isn't some cut and dry maintenance bug fixes, it's a whole new change to the websites entire fuckin' layout." the words hit my ears like a whistle, shrill and jarring. The casual profanity I hear out and about has always shocked me, but in my own home? At a dinner party for Christ's sake? Not to mention, insulting Corey, the man kind enough to employ my husband and Ivy herself is beyond rude. I swear they don't teach professionalism anymore.

"Yeah, it's kind of a slap in the face." I hear the words come from Bills mouth and I darn near spit out my food. He's disrespecting Corey too? I shoot him a dirty look, but I realize he's not even looking my way. He's looking at her. Her. I excused myself from the table for a minute to compose myself in the bathroom. They were having a conversation, of course he was looking at her. After my father's affair, I've lacked faith in men to be trustworthy, it took many talks with Bill to convince me he'll never be a careless man like my father, but I still have my moments. I put on my shiniest smile and returned to the table. The entire night consists of Ivy making bold claims about the office, foul language, and my husband looking at her. At least, I think he was looking at her, I couldn't really take my eyes off of her either, every time she met my line of sight, I looked away embarrassed.

When the night finally ended, I was relieved, I was a good host the whole time, I made a wonderful roast, and everyone had a delightful evening. I couldn't wait to go to bed and have a good night's sleep.

-Authors Note:

Hey hey hey, chapter two!! I am genuinely so happy with how this fic is going, I have missed writing so much, I love it! I have so many plans for this fic, I hope that people like it even half as much as I do. Anyway, new chapter coming soon!!