Chapter 4 A Human Wall

Chapter 4: A Human Wall 

Ivy

I ended up parking halfway across the universe after the hot, ill-mannered parking thief in a black sports car stole the last decent space. 

Petty? Yes. Memorable? Unfortunately, also yes.

Phone pressed to my ear, I pushed through the airport doors and into the chaos of arrivals. The air smelled like coffee, perfume, jet fuel, and what not. People hurried past in waves—reunions, tears, laughter, luggage wheels rattling across tile.

A child cried somewhere near the information desk. The overhead PA system chimed politely before announcing the arrival of Flight 287 from Seattle at Gate C.

I scanned the crowd, searching for Poppy’s unmistakable blonde head.

Nothing.

The call rang. And rang. No response. 

“Where are you?” I muttered, turning slowly in a circle. I scanned the electronic arrivals board. Flights blinked between LANDED, DELAYED, and BAGGAGE CLAIM 3.

I dialed again. “Pick up, Pops…”

This time she answered immediately.

“Ivy! Where are you?” she said, breathless but lighter than she’d sounded in the car.

“I’m inside. I don’t see you. Did you pick them up already?”

“Yes! We’re standing right in the middle of the arrivals hall. Where are you?”

I frowned, stepping sideways to see past a family cluster. “I’m literally right here. Hold on.” I took a few backward steps to widen my view, craning my neck over a man’s shoulder and walked straight into a wall.

A very solid wall. A human wall.

“Oh my God!” I gasped, my phone nearly slipping from my hand.

“Ivy? What happened?” Poppy asked through the speaker.

“I just bumped into someone,” I muttered, turning. And I immediately wished I hadn't. 

Tight black shirt. Smirk. Unfairly attractive face.

Of course, it was him. Again. The parking-spot thief. Smug expression. Arms folded. Eyes glinting like he’d been waiting for this exact moment.

A slow smirk tugged at his mouth. “Guess you found this spot first too?”

I blinked. “You again?”

He tilted his head, studying me with open amusement. “Coincidence… or stalking?”

“Why would I stalk you?” I snapped.

He leaned slightly closer. “You’re one of them, aren’t you?”

“One of who?” I said, completely forgetting that Poppy was still on the line.

His voice dropped, warm and conspiratorial as he leaned near my ear. “Those girls.”

Before I could process what that meant, he slipped something into the pocket of my hoodie—his fingers brushing lightly against my chest.

Heat flooded my face instantly as I jumped back. “Personal space, dude. What is wrong with you?”

His phone rang. Instantly, a part of me wondered if it was his girlfriend. Was he picking her up from the airport? 

Another part of me wondered if it was actually his wife. Maybe he was married. 

I glanced at his hands. 

There was no ring on his finger. Maybe he just likes to take it off in public to chase girls in peace. 

He glanced around like he was searching for someone, completely unfazed by my outrage.

“I hope your luggage gets lost,” I blurted.

He chuckled. “It won’t.” Then he answered the call. “Hi, Mom.”

I froze. Mom? Well… there went my theory about the secret girlfriend and wife. 

He scanned the crowd, then looked past me and lifted his hand in a casual wave. “Yeah,” he said into the phone. “I see you.”

Behind me, someone shouted— “Ivy!”

I turned.

Poppy stood several yards away, waving both arms wildly. Beside her stood Marcel—smiling wide, arms already open—and a beautiful woman with warm eyes and an elegant posture.

Julia.

I glanced back at the man. “Go away. Isn’t your mom waiting for you?”

He smiled—calm, amused, completely unbothered. “She is actually.”

I rolled my eyes and walked toward Poppy, deciding he was no longer worth oxygen.

But I would soon learn how wrong I was.

Marcel wrapped me in a hug before I even reached them. “Ivy!” he boomed. “Look at you!”

I laughed as he squeezed the air out of me. “I missed you.”

He held me at arm’s length, pride and warmth shining in his eyes. “Congratulations on surviving California.”

“Barely,” I grinned. “And congratulations on the wedding. I’m so happy for you.”

His smile softened. “We missed you there.”

“I brought a gift,” I said. “Peace offering.”

He chuckled. “You didn’t have to.” Then he turned proudly to the woman beside him. “This is my wife, Julia. Julia, this is Ivy. She’s practically my daughter.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest. Marcel had always been more of a father to me than my own father. 

Julia stepped forward and hugged me gently, her presence soft and grounding just like a mother. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I hope none of it involved me falling into a pool,” I joked.

She laughed warmly. “Already heard that one.”

I made a face at Marcel. 

“Ivy,” Poppy said, tapping my arm, “you left me hanging on the phone.”

I glanced down and winced. The call was still active. “Oops.” I hung up. “Sorry. I ran into someone incredibly rude who refused to leave me alone.” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder without looking.

They all followed the gesture. And instead of confusion… their faces lit with amusement.

A voice sounded behind me. “Oh really?”

I closed my eyes briefly. 

He walked past me like he belonged there—like he belonged with them—and stopped in front of Julia. Then he kissed her affectionately on both cheeks like this was the most normal thing in the world.

“Hi, Mom,” he said easily. “Hope you had a great flight.”

The ground did not open beneath me. Unfortunately.

Julia smiled brightly. “Leo, I'm so sorry for pulling you out of practice.”

Leo. So it's not Lionel actually? Oh shit. 

My brain stalled. Parking thief, arrogant stranger, annoying airport menace. 

This was Julia’s son?! Marcel’s stepson. Andy and Poppy’s new stepbrother. And the man I had just insulted repeatedly.

I stood frozen, every embarrassing word I’d said replaying in vivid detail.

Poppy’s grin spread slowly and dangerously. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “You two have met.”

I wanted to disappear immediately. But instead, Leo turned toward me, eyes dancing with unmistakable recognition. “That’s one way to describe it,” he said smoothly.

I swallowed.

This summer was going to destroy me. And somehow… I had the feeling he was going to enjoy every second of it.