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I V Y  T H O M P S O N

"SO WHEN I WENT to Australia for three years I had to get hypnosis for my arachnophobia," Dan, my date, explains across the table. I sip on my cocktail wishing that time would pass a lot quicker than it currently is. "And I found this massive huntsman in the bathroom, it didn't even affect me at all."

My cocktail shoots up the straw and suddenly I'm slurping from an empty glass. Great. No more alcohol to help me through this nightmare.

"Wow," I say suddenly. "Sounds great."

"Have you been to Australia before?"

I shake my head. "No but I've be–"

"Oh my God. Australia is honestly the best place on this Earth." He holds his hands up with bright eyes. I sink back into my chair. "I can't believe you haven't gone. You haven't even lived."

If only he lets me finish one sentence tonight. Trust me to never use dating apps ever again because this is fucking torture and I want out.

He continues to chat away. Not once has he asked about my own interests, my job or anything about myself. He's picked the topic and manipulated it into what he wants to talk about. If he thinks he's showing off then he's severely turned me off.

If I've been to Tenerife he's been to Elevenerife. He's that kind of person.

My eyes almost roll into the back of my head when he continues to talk about Australia and all the amazing things he did. Usually I wouldn't mind listening but he doesn't give a single shit about what I have to say and I don't want to get to know someone like him.

Why don't guys want to get to know me?

I slump back into my chair. Dan is still waffling on about God knows what. At this point I'm not even listening. I can't be bothered. I deserve better than this shit.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom," I speak over him, dragging my chair out from underneath me.

He blinks quickly. "But I'm not finished?"

I flash him a sarcastic smile. "My bladder can't wait for you. Sorry."

Then he scoffs like I've just insulted his family. I grab my bag and head straight for the toilet. If anything I should have just left but I'm not like that, I'd rather tell him how it is. But first I need a breather and to ring my best friend so that she can shove some sense into me to end this date now.

I wash my hands and pat the cool water against my cheeks. Every part of my body is heating up rapidly and I need to calm down before I explode over the bathroom mirror. I pull my phone from my bag and instantly call Erin.

"Ivy?"

"Hi," I huff out before clicking the speaker button and sliding it onto the counter.

"What's happened? Is he a serial killer?"

I roll my eyes with a laugh. "Not sure how I'd be talking to you if he was a serial killer."

Erin tuts at me. "Well something is wrong because you wouldn't be calling me right now. What's going on?"

"He's a fucking douchebag. That's what's up."

"Do I need to bring the weapons?"

"Sit down," I say as I stare at myself in the reflection and flatten out my light hair. "He's just very obnoxious and annoying. Hasn't stopped talking about himself. Every time I say something he speaks over me. I want out."

Erin gasps. "Then leave. Fuck that guy."

I press my hands into the counter. "Why are all the guys I've been seeing lately so arrogant and up their own asses?"

"Ivy," Erin's voice drops. "Some guys just don't know how to woo girls. They think talking about themselves is going to score themselves points but instead it pushes us away. They're ignorant to their own failures."

My lips twist into a frown. "Is there something wrong with me?" I huff out. "Do I look uninteresting or something?"

"No, absolutely not!"

I press my head into my hand. "I'm done with this shit. No one wants to give me the time of day and maybe I need to accept that the world wants me to be single."

Erin scolds me through the phone. I know for a fact she's giving me dirty looks. "You're giving up so easily."

"Not going to lie, maybe I just wanted someone I got along with so we could jump into bed and I could get some action," I admit, turning around to make sure no one is in the bathroom stalls. "Is that too much to ask for?"

She passes a slow laugh. "Absolutely not. We have needs too."

"Exactly."

"Go tell that man he's boring and you're leaving. I'm not standing for this shit anymore. Don't waste your time on someone who doesn't even want any of yours." She explains and I find myself nodding.

She's right. She's always right.

"Thanks, Erin."

"Text me when you're leaving."

"I will do. Love you."

"You more."

I press my finger to the screen to end the call. Taking one last glance at myself in the mirror I inhale a deep breath and head out to the bar again. I spot Dan from a mile away with his long curly hair and trimmed beard.

He spots me from across the room and he glances at me funny. "What took you so long?"

Fucking rude idiot.

"There was a queue," I lie. I don't even bother sitting back down. Fuck him and his dumb questions. "Anyway, I'm going to go. Thanks for the drinks."

He recoils from my words like whiplash. "What, you're just leaving?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. But I've got to go. Urgent matter calls."

When he scoffs so loudly that people turn to look at us, he stands up from the chair and it scratches against the floor. "You're doing me a favour anyway," he spits and I raise an eyebrow in response. "Worst fucking date ever."

"Yeah, that makes two of us."

Dan's eyes turn to fury. He clearly doesn't like rejection but I couldn't give a shit. "Fuck you, Ivy," he grumbles, grabbing his jacket. People begin to stare at us and suddenly I hate that we're the drama of their night. "No guy is going to settle for someone as boring and rude as you."

I swallow back the lump in my throat. Before I can say anything else he storms out of the bar, leaving everyone's eyes on me. I ignore their stares and focus forward, then I wait for a few moments until I know that he's gone before I make my escape.

Fuck this. I want my bed.

As I walk through the bar keeping my head high, I look straight towards the exit. My heel rises and I catch it on the piping of the door, something cracks and I stumble. My hands grab the door and I stabilise myself before I fall.

"Fuck," I curse under my breath.

I glance down and raise my foot, taking one glance at my shoe and noticing that my heel has been snapped clean off.

My back slumps against the wall. I am seconds away from screaming this city down. I bury my head into my hands, listening to people walk past as they laugh and talk away in their groups, ready to start their Friday night in style.

I'm ready to dig my own grave for this failure of a night.

"Are you okay?"

I don't even bother to look up. My eyes are trained on the pavement. "Yes, I'm fucking fantastic. Thanks for asking."

Poison feels like it's been slipped through my veins. Right now I only have one emotion and that's wrath. Fuck this night, fuck these shoes, fuck Dan. Fuck everything.

"You sure? I think your shoe is broken."

I snap my eyes to the owner of this deep voice. He's staring back at me with baby blue eyes, a brunette buzz shaved head with a silver nose ring. "Thank you for pointing out the obvious. I didn't see it with my own two eyes."

I'm deeply trying to ignore how attractive this guy is whilst he experiences my misfortune. If I thought I was embarrassed before, I'm absolutely fucking mortified now. Someone just hit me with a shovel and throw me off a bridge.

I'm done with this. I'm done.

His lips slip into a sympathetic frown. Then I glance at two guys behind him, one is smoking a cigarette and laughing at something the other guy said. I'm guessing they're his friends.

"Bad night?"

I scoff and then find myself laughing hysterically. "Bad night? That's an understatement."

The guy tilts his head and shoves his hands into his cargo pants. "Join the club."

I narrow my eyes at the mysterious man. "Looks like you guys are having a blast," I gesture to the guys who are laughing behind him.

He glances over his shoulder and then shrugs. "They just got us kicked out of the bar for being too drunk."

"And you think that's a bad night?" I quirk an eyebrow in his direction.

I am officially done with men tonight. They have no idea.

"Go on then," his lips twitch into a smirk. "Tell me how bad your night has been."

My back pushes up from the wall and I remind myself not to put any pressure onto my heel or I'll go flying. "Well let me see..." I trail off, placing a finger to my lip sarcastically. "First off I'm matched with some asshole who only speaks about himself during the date, tells me to fuck off in front of the whole bar along with the fact no guy is going to want me because I'm boring. Oh and yes of course, I broke my heel while I'm by myself."

He chews on his lip and I glance down at the shamefully attractive action. I suck in a breath because I hate that he's good looking and I'm telling him how lame my dating life is. I bet he gets girls at the click of his fingers. He has that style, he has that look. Mysterious. Not your typical guy.

Why do I do this to myself? I need to retire and then hibernate for the rest of my life so I don't show myself up like this every damn time.

"And on that count," I say before reaching down to take off my heels. "I'm going home."

"Wait, wait," he reaches out to grab my arm. I try to ignore the way his large hand clasps my wrist with perfection. "You can't walk home barefoot. It's a Friday night and the pavements are going to be covered in glass."

My eyebrows raise at him, then I look down to his grip and quickly he releases me. "Well I can't walk home with a broken heel, I will break my neck. I hope you realise that."

"And you can cut your feet and tear into one of your arteries," he steps closer.

I fold my arms across my chest, the straps of my heels hitting my shoulders. "Are you a doctor?"

"No but I know when someone is being stupid."

A deep laugh rumbles from my chest. "Stupid? Fuck. This night just keeps getting better and better."

He curses and wipes a hand over his face. "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine," I hold up my hand and take one step back, my bare foot pressing into the pavement. "This night can't get any worse than it already is."

I turn to walk down the street, being careful of any glass that could scatter the pavement. Not caring if people looked at me like I'm stupid, maybe I am but I also know I'll look worse wearing shoes that are broken. I'll be walking like a clown at the circus.

Footsteps echo behind me but I don't turn around. "My night is bad because I came out for a drink to distract myself from some home shit that's going on but my friends decided to get drunk instead and they've got us kicked out and quite frankly, they're pissing me off."

I chew on my lip as my feet come to a stop. My head peeks over my shoulder, my blonde hair flowing down my back as I stare back into his stunning eyes. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"Ditch them," he says instantly. "And ask if you want to go for a drink with me instead because I think you might need it as much as I do."

My mouth opens but then I shut it immediately. "You want to go for a drink with me?" I laugh under my breath with surprise.

"Yeah," he nods. "I could do with about six shots of tequila quite frankly and I bet you do too."

"I don't like tequila."

He narrows his eyes but he's smiling. A cheeky yet playful glimmer in his sight. "Fine, sambuca then."

My teeth clamp down on my bottom lip as I stare at this abnormally handsome man. "My shoe is broken."

"I'll hold you up."

For a moment we just stare back at each other, neither of us able to push away the small smiles that cover our lips. "What's your name?"

"JJ."

I tilt my head at his Godlike confidence. It's practically oozing out of him and that's what makes him so damn attractive right now. I can't stop myself from staring or enjoying his undeniable energy.

"And yours?"

"Ivy."

"Well Ivy, would you like to go to the next bar so we can banish this shit day with sambuca shots?"

I swallow down the part of me that is telling me to go home. He's right, we could attempt to make this night better if I fall into nicer company. Otherwise I'll be hobbling home with my one heel and striking myself out for any future dates forever.

One drink won't hurt. Nothing else can hurt me this evening. Not even my pride.

"Alright, fine." I mumble. "For the sambuca only."

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Author's Note

Hi, my loves!

Welcome to the first chapter of Worth The Risk! If you enjoy forbidden love, brothers best friend and small town vibes, then this story will 100% be for you!

As mentioned before this story will be my WIP for the creators program. I am updating every Tuesday and I can't wait to share the rest of the story with you!

Let me know what you thought of this first chapter💘

Love Savanna x

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