Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“Aww, that’s precious. So, you two are getting along well, then? Honey, I need all the tea. I’m going to need a full report when you get here. Just text me when you have your travel figured out.”
“This is a lot of new information,” Ivy says, rubbing her forehead. “But thank you. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Great, I’m excited to see you. Also, I need something.”
I return to washing vegetables for the salad but keep my ears trained on my girl.
“What’s up?” Ivy asks.
“When we were at your place, you had the cutest painting of sunflowers, and I need that for my guest room. I’d like to buy it from you. Can you bring it to Denver with you?”
I’m already wiping my hands dry again as I watch Ivy’s response.
“Oh, um.” She clears her throat. “I’m sorry, it got ruined.”
Brit gasps. “What? How? Oh, honey, don’t cry.”
“I’ll call Coop with travel plans, Brit.” I take the phone from Ivy and fill Britney’s screen with my own face.
“I didn’t mean to say anything wrong.”
“I know. It’s been a shitty few days. But we’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Sorry, Ivy! I can’t wait to see you.”
Ivy nods, and I end the call, set the phone on the counter, and drag my finger down her cheek.
“It sucks,” she says as she swallows the tears.
“Big time,” I agree. “But you can paint more.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
She shakes her head and goes back to cutting vegetables, and an idea starts to form. I’ll need to talk to Ava. In the meantime, I change the subject.
“I think I’ll invite Indie,” I tell my girl.
“I think that’s great,” she replies, and I take my phone out of my pocket, pull up Indie’s number, and press Call.
She answers just before it goes to voicemail.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Indie, it’s Xander. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Oh, no, I was just . . . no, it’s all good. What’s up?”
“Hey, I’m having a very casual barbecue at my house today. The other sibs are coming, and my dad will be here. He knows about you, and he’s the best, so he’s cool. I’m wondering if you’d like to join us?”
She’s quiet for a full fifteen seconds, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear to make sure she’s still there.
“Indie?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry, you caught me off guard. Um, you don’t have to—”
“I know.” I take a breath. “I don’t have to do anything. But it’s just a casual meal, and it’s nice out here. If you want to join us, you should.”
Ivy’s grinning at me, and I reach out to push a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“I’d like that,” Indie finally says. “But only if you really think it’s okay.”
“It’s more than okay.”
“What can I bring? I have a shit ton of ice cream.”
I laugh and shake my head, even though she can’t see me. “Just bring yourself. I think Darby is bringing a dessert. Tucker’s doing the grilling because he’s the best chef in the family. Just come enjoy it.”
I give her the time and directions to the house, and when I push my phone back in my pocket, Ivy nods.
“You did well with that.”
“It’s not her fault,” I reply. I still don’t love it, but it is what it is. And if I learned nothing else from my father, it’s that everyone deserves a chance.
“I’m proud of you.”
Ivy turns to keep cutting carrots, and fuck.
I think I just fell in love with her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
IVY
It’s been one hell of a week.
Lucky’s burned down.
My mom is officially the worst person in the world and destroyed my house and all my paintings.
I moved in with Xander, who is completely amazing and gives the best damn orgasms in the history of the world. He took me shopping so I could replace my clothes, but I wouldn’t let him buy them. No way, that’s too much. I can buy my own jeans and tops and underwear. Scrubs. Workout gear.
I needed just about everything.
And he wasn’t pleased that I wouldn’t let him spring for it. So, he spoiled the shit out of my cat. He went full-on cat dad on me and bought Cally the coolest cat tower, tunnels to run through outside without her being able to get lost, new beds and toys, and an extra litter pan because this house is big, and we have multiple bathrooms, so why shouldn’t she?
He’s ridiculous, and adorable, and so damn sexy that I can hardly stand it.
And now, his family is here, and I might be about to have a panic attack.
“Oh my God, we’re so happy to see you,” Darby says as she rushes over to give me a hug, and suddenly the panic seems to be . . . gone.
Ava wiggles in between us.
“We were so worried after we heard about the fire,” Ava adds.