Evening had fallen, and Ivy’s boots echoed softly as she trudged back into her apartment, feeling the weight of another unproductive day at the studio. The night was cool, the city buzzing with life outside, but Ivy felt detached from it all. Her mind was a blank canvas, and not in the way she needed it to be. She kicked off her shoes by the door, tossed her bag onto the couch, and let out a deep sigh. The art block had hit her hard today, no spark, no inspiration, just the frustrating emptiness that left her staring at her sketchbook for hours.
As she moved toward the kitchen, ready to throw together something quick before her night shift at the bar, the front door opened. Mia swept in, a gust of energy as always, her face flushed with excitement.
"Hey!" Mia called out as she kicked the door shut behind her, dumping her bag near Ivy’s. “You’re home early!”
“Yeah,” Ivy said, leaning on the kitchen counter, “just didn’t have it in me today at the studio. Thought I’d come home, reset before the shift tonight.”
Mia frowned, her brow creasing as she untied her hair and let it fall over her shoulders. “Art block?”
Ivy nodded, trying to shake off the frustration. “Yep. Nothing. I stared at my sketchbook for hours and came up with... absolutely nothing.”
Mia walked over, her expression softening as she studied Ivy’s tired face. “Oh, babe, I know that feeling too well.” She leaned in, resting her hip against the counter. “Want to talk about it?”
Ivy shrugged, grabbing a glass of water and taking a sip. “Not much to say. It’s like my brain just... shut off. Every time I tried to sketch something, I’d get frustrated and erase it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Mia gave her a sympathetic smile and reached over, rubbing Ivy’s shoulder affectionately. “It’s just a phase. You’ll get through it. You always do.” She tilted her head, her voice brightening. “But enough about that. Guess what? I nailed that audition!”
Ivy’s face lit up slightly at the news. “No way! That’s amazing!”
“I know!” Mia squealed, her energy infectious. “I mean, it’s not like a lead role or anything, but they really liked my performance. I get to be part of the ensemble, and it’s paid! Which is great because I was starting to get real tired of dancing for creeps every night.”
Ivy laughed, some of the tension in her shoulders easing. “That’s awesome, Mia. You deserve it.”
Mia grinned, but her eyes flicked to Ivy’s face, noticing the shadows under her eyes. “Hey, speaking of dancing for creeps... do you really have to go in tonight?”
Ivy blinked, caught off guard. “I mean, yeah. I need the money, and it’s my shift—”
Mia cut her off, wagging a finger. “No, no, no. You need a break. I can see it in your eyes, Ivy. You’ve been pushing yourself way too hard, between the studio and the bar.” She grabbed her phone from her bag, already typing a message. “I’ll call in a favor. Sarah owes me one, so she can cover your shift tonight.”
“Mia, no, really—”
“Shh,” Mia said, holding up a hand. “Don’t argue. You need to rest. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends for too long.”
Ivy opened her mouth to protest again, but the truth was, she *was* exhausted. The thought of pulling a late shift at the bar, even as a barista in the quieter section, made her feel like collapsing. She sighed, letting her shoulders drop in defeat. “Fine. I guess I could use the night off.”
“Exactly.” Mia smiled, satisfied as she sent the message. “Sarah will cover for you, no problem. Trust me.”
Ivy chuckled softly, shaking her head. “What would I do without you?”
“Probably work yourself to death,” Mia teased, wrapping her arms around Ivy in a warm, comforting hug. “Come here, you.”
Ivy melted into the embrace, feeling some of the weight lift from her chest. Mia’s hugs were the kind that made everything seem a little less overwhelming. They stood there for a moment, Ivy taking in the comfort of her best friend’s presence, the scent of Mia’s perfume—a mix of something sweet and musky—filling the air.
“Thanks, Mia,” Ivy murmured into her shoulder.
Mia squeezed her tighter. “Always, babe. You’ve got to take care of yourself too, you know?”
Ivy nodded against her, feeling the tension slowly drain away. She pulled back, giving Mia a grateful smile. “So, what’s the role in the production? Do I get to see you on stage soon?”
“Oh, you bet,” Mia grinned, leaning back against the counter. “It’s a small part in a local musical, but hey, it’s a start. Plus, it beats the pole.” She winked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Ivy laughed. “Speaking of which... how’s ‘Sasha’ doing these days?” She referred to Mia’s stage name at the bar, where Mia performed as an exotic dancer in the clubbing area, a place Ivy only ventured to occasionally when their shifts overlapped.
Mia tossed her hair dramatically, striking a pose. “*Sasha* is thriving, darling. Though I’ve had a few more sleazeballs lately. But you know what? I think I’ve perfected the art of dodging their grabby hands.” She spun in place, mimicking a dodging move with flair.
Ivy shook her head, grinning. “You’re a star.”
“Damn right I am,” Mia winked before softening her tone. “Seriously though, tonight—relax, recharge. Your art will come back when you’re not stressing over it. You need a break sometimes, Ivy.”
Ivy exhaled slowly, nodding. “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe tonight’s the break I need.”
Mia smiled, giving her a playful nudge. “Good. Now, I’m off to shower before I even think about stepping on that stage. Sasha needs her beauty sleep, after all.”
Ivy laughed as Mia disappeared down the hallway, leaving her standing there in the comforting quiet of their apartment. Maybe Mia was right. Maybe a little rest was exactly what she needed to spark her creativity again. For now, she’d take it one moment at a time, and tonight—tonight, she’d let herself breathe.
YOU ARE READING
Love in Overdrive
Romance**Ivy Monroe**, has a condition called emophilia, where she falls in love quickly and intensely. She has been through a series of failed relationships because she constantly mistakes infatuation for true love. Each heartbreak leaves her feeling more...
