Talk, Ivy.Open mouth, form words.Good gracious, Nana would have a field day if she’d been here. “Um, hi? And no, Addie has a sitter tonight. I thought this would go later than her bedtime. Also, not sure if a four-year-old would find a lot of entertainment in a night like this.” I stood still in front of Margot as she continued to study me for Goddess knows what.
“Jesus, Mom, let her go.” Jake took my arm and tugged me back by him, my hand clasped in his. My head spun with the amount of questions I had for him, such as when did we become friends who held hands in public? And how about a repeat of that kiss the other night? I’ll take more please.
Margot shook her head at Jake. “Mind your manners, son. I was just being friendly with your lady friend here. And Ivy, I agree, not exactly a kid-friendly evening. Steph said the same thing. Now, Sam? Sam?” She turned, calling to Jake’s dad behind her. With a knowing grin, he shook his head at her as he stepped to her side. She looked over at him, lightly slapping his arm as she did. “Knock it off, you.”
“Just following orders, ma’am,” he said. Dang, his smile was Drew’s smile. I loved how I could see so much of the three siblings by looking at their parents, even the easy way they teased one another.
“Quiet, you,” she said. “I want to introduce you to Ivy James. Be on your best behavior, mister.”
“Always, my dear.” Sam shook his head before taking my offered hand that I tugged away from Jake, but Sam leaned in to kiss me on my cheek. “It’s lovely to meet you, Ivy.”
Stepping back, I slid next to Jake and replied, “It’s nice to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer.”
“Oh hush,” Margot replied. “It’s Sam and Margot. No formality here. So are you and Addie available for brunch tomorrow? I’d love to meet this beautiful girl that I’ve heard so much about before we head back home.”
I looked up at Jake curiously to see what he had to say.
Jake was looking at his mom with love and more than a smidge of exasperation. “Mom, I haven’t told you all about Addie.” He glanced over to me. “But of course you guys are welcome to come to brunch.”
“I know you didn’t,” Margot replied. “Drew and Steph did.”
“Jesus.” He dropped his head to my shoulder as he fake whispered to me. “You sure you really missed out on having siblings? I can give you mine.”
I laughed. “It’s fine, really.” Looking over at Sam and Margot, I said, “Brunch would be great. Would you like to see pictures of Addie?” I unzipped my clutch and pulled out my phone.
Margot reached over, hooking her arm through mine. “Yes. But let’s head to the bar. I think I can get Sam to order us a beer, unless you’d rather drink something else.”
Sam fell into step with the two of us as I replied. “Beer sounds great. I love the Black Hole Sun as well as the Barn Owl Stout.”
“You’ve got great taste,” Sam replied.
“Bring her back soon,” Jake called out to us. I looked over my shoulder as he shook his head at me. Drew and Steph waved goodbye with big smiles.
“Now, before we do a deep dive into the pictures”—Margot leaned against my arm as we moved toward the bar—“what does your Addie love to eat for breakfast?”
“Donuts?” Sam spoke up. “I’m a fan of donuts, and I’d be glad to pick some up in the morning.”
“Sam!” Margot chastised. “Donuts do not make for a nutritious homemade breakfast.”
“No, but they make a delicious one,” he quipped.
“We are trying to make a good impression on Ivy here and we can’t do that with donuts.” Margot was leaning around me as we finally reached the bar.
“Of course we can.” Sam looked at me. “What are your thoughts on donuts, Ivy?”
I held back my laughter that wanted to bubble out. Margot was watching me nervously, which was a hoot. “Addie and I are fans of breakfast in all forms. So donuts, pancakes, eggs, we will eat it all and be grateful for it.”
Max Harp leaned over from his spot with Emma at the bar. “Hey, Sam and Margot, didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but if you want an inside tip with Little Miss Addie, she loves it when Jake makes her hot chocolate with mellows.”
I shook my head at him as Margot nodded hers.
“Yes, I remember that from our phone call. Great idea, Max. Did you hear that Sam? We’ll have pancakesanddonutsandhot chocolate with marshmallows.”
“And we’ll get our sugar levels checked after that?” he asked.
“Oh, hush up and order us some beers,” she said. Then she looked at me. “Now, Ivy, let’s see some pictures of your precious daughter.”
Man, I loved this family.
