CHAPTER 99: ARE YOU GRILLING IVY AGAIN?

"Hey, Winn." Anna turned to him with a grin far too innocent to be believable.

Ivy immediately latched onto his arm. Her body was warm against his, and the soft tremor of embarrassment in her grip made his pulse skip. "Mum, are you grilling Ivy again?" Winn teased, pretending not to notice how Ivy’s head dropped against his shoulder in mortification.

"Grilling?" Anna gasped, mock-offended. "I’m educating her. There’s a difference."

"Educating her about what exactly?" he asked, even though he was ninety percent sure he already knew.

"Just giving her some conception tips," his mother replied breezily, taking a delicate sip of tea that did nothing to hide her smirk.

Winn laughed quietly, looking down at Ivy.

His mother chuckled softly and excused herself.

"You could have rescued me sooner," Ivy muttered.

"Hearing my mother talk about you getting pregnant is... oddly motivating."

"Winn!" she gasped, swatting his chest.

Winn shook his head, amusement glinting in his eyes as he pulled Ivy close by the waist. "Say your goodbyes, love," he murmured. "We leave soon."

She stepped away, glancing once more at Winn before walking off to the kitchen, where Sylvia and Trish were pouring steaming cups of tea.

"You have fun, okay?" Trish said as soon as she saw Ivy approach. "Don’t worry about a thing. Whatever you need done, just call me."

Ivy smiled gratefully. "Actually, I do need a few things done. I don’t want to be overwhelmed when we get back." She leaned against the counter, twisting the engagement ring on her finger. "Mrs. Kane is already doing so much. Could you stop by regularly and help her with the wedding preparations?"

"Of course! You don’t even need to ask."

Ivy turned to Sylvia, who gave her an approving smile and a brief hug.

As she walked back toward the hallway, the hum of laughter faded behind her, replaced by the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. She found Winn waiting near the door, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed — but his gaze found hers instantly. That look still made her insides twist in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

"Don’t we need to pack?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

He tilted his head, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "Everything you need is already on the jet."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"What?" Winn looked genuinely confused by her reaction, which only made her laugh.

"A jet? You have a jet?"

He scratched the back of his neck, pretending not to notice the astonishment on her face. "Technically, it’s my grandfather’s jet."

"Your grandfather’s jet," she repeated slowly. "You just— you say that like everyone’s grandpa owns a private aircraft."

"Just how much money do you guys have?" Ivy asked.

"The Kanes’ net worth isn’t that much," he said, his lips twitching with amusement, "but the Orchards — now that’s where the real money is."

Ivy raised a brow. "The Orchards?"

"My mother’s side," he clarified. "But before you get any ideas, it’s not mine. So just so you know," he added with mock gravity, "you’re marrying a broke man."

She burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Right. A broke man with a family jet."

"Exactly," he said, grinning. "I’m a charity case."

Before she could respond, a sudden blur of fur came bounding out of nowhere. Jasper launched himself directly into Ivy’s lap as soon as she opened the car door, his weight knocking her back against the seat.

"Jasper!" she squealed as the dog’s wet tongue attacked her face. "Hey, big guy, I have to go now!"

Jasper wagged his tail, utterly unbothered by human plans or schedules. His large brown eyes shimmered with mischief.

Winn laughed, leaning in. "Jasper, come on. Go to Sylvia. She’ll get you home."

The dog ignored him completely, planting another enthusiastic lick across Ivy’s cheek.

He reached for the dog’s collar and gave a gentle tug. "Go, boy."

Reluctantly, Jasper slid down from her lap, letting out a low whine that sounded heartbreakingly dramatic. Winn led the sulking animal back into the house.

Ivy watched them go, smiling to herself.

As she sat back in the car, still wiping a trace of Jasper’s drool from her cheek. A familiar figure appeared — Tom.

"Mr. Kane," Ivy began. "I didn’t see much of you today."

"I just wanted to say congratulations," he said. "You won."

"Thank you," she replied flatly.

Tom gave a short nod. "Have a great time," he said, forcing a faint smile before closing her door with a quiet click.

As Tom began to turn away, Winn appeared from inside the house.

"Hey, son," he called.

Winn straightened subtly. "Dad," he greeted, meeting him halfway.

"See you in a week," Winn said. "Please keep an eye on Sylvia."

His father’s brow lifted. "I guess you give the orders now since you no longer listen to me."

"See you, Dad," he said quickly, before his father could turn the moment into a lecture.

He made his escape and slipped into the driver’s seat beside Ivy. The instant the car door closed, the world outside seemed to fade.

Winn started the car, but his gaze flickered briefly toward her. He’d noticed the faint look she’d given his father. "Don’t take his attitude to heart," he murmured, one hand resting on the wheel. "He’s always grumpy."

Ivy smiled faintly, still gazing through the window where Mr. Kane stood, watching them drive off. "It’s fine," she said softly.

The highway opened up before them, the road stretching long.

"So," she said after a few minutes, turning to him. "Where are we going?"

"California," he replied, shifting gears smoothly.

Ivy’s lips curled upward, but a flicker of anticipation shimmered in her chest. "Is this a honeymoon?"

Winn glanced sideways at her. "Do you want it to be?"

Ivy rolled her eyes. "You know there’s a tradition from somewhere that says you’re supposed to be celibate a month before your wedding."

That earned her a sharp look of disbelief. "What kind of bullshit tradition is that?"

She laughed, unable to help it. "It’s supposed to make the wedding night more... satisfying."

(Eringoodwin, Zabean: You have queen for a day. Ask any questions you want to)