“Closing time,” Sully called out, interrupting our conversation. “Time to go home, you all. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. Thanks for celebrating with us!”
I sank into Ivy’s arms as she squeezed me, relaying that she was ready to get out of here. I fought to calm myself. We swayed back and forth, barely moving.
My dad cleared his throat. “Son, we’re heading home, and we’ll take care of Chief.”
I pulled back and looked at my dad who stood there with a shit-eating grin while my mom looked like she’d won the lottery. Hmm. Maybe our drawn-out dance had been seen by more than a few? Glancing at Ivy with a look of regret, I said to my dad, “No, you all are my guests. We can head out in just a moment.”
Drew stepped forward and slapped my back. “You see Bookstore home, Jake. Steph and I will visit with the parental units before we all crash in preparation of what Mom assures me will be a hell of a brunch tomorrow.”
Mom stepped up, giving me a kiss on the cheek before she patted it, then gave Ivy a kiss too. “I know I raised you better than to think Ivy should see herself home.” Moving back, she gave me one of her famous mom looks. “Now, it’s getting late,” she said before looking back at Ivy. “It was lovely meeting you, dear. Looking forward to brunch tomorrow with Addie.”
With that, Mom corralled the crew and we were left alone in the rapidly emptying brewery.
I tugged Ivy to face me as I heard the music for the final song on the Stapleton album begin. Wrapping my arms around her, I began swaying to the beat of the music. She immediately joined in, letting her head drop to my chest.
“Thanks again for playing this,” she whispered.
“Of course.” My eyes closed as I tried to sort out everything racing through my brain. Where did we even go from here? What did Ivy want? What did I want? Hell.
I opened my eyes, looking at the staff members around us quickly putting the place back to rights. No one seemed to care that Ivy and I were a dance floor of our own, and they all gave us a wide berth. I made a mental note to show my appreciation this week.
We swayed until the song finished and the brewery was nearly empty.
“Well.” Ivy met my eyes. “That was quite an evening.”
I leaned down, placing a light kiss on her forehead before straightening back up. “It’s not over yet.” With that, I grabbed her hand and headed for the door.
17
You Should Probably Leave
Ivy
My brain whirled as I let Jake lead me out of the brewery and down the street. My place was about four blocks from the downtown, and he headed straight for it. We’d shared a lot over the past week and a great deal more as we danced tonight. Where was Jake’s mind at? Mine was full of the way his chest had felt under my hand, how safe I’d felt in his arms. It was lovely, but then a large part of my brain, or maybe my heart, warned me not to get used to this. I needed to think about the bookstore, to continue to plan for Addie and my future. But maybe not now. Maybe now I could simply follow Jake, noting the beautiful evening surrounding us on our walk home.
The neighborhoods off the downtown were quiet streets with quaint homes, each near a hundred years old. I loved the history, the uniqueness of the area. The newer subdivisions on the outskirts of town boasted larger houses, likely much more luxurious than my cottage, but I’d take these sweet homes any day of the week.
Before I knew it, we headed up the brick sidewalk of my place onto the porch and into my home. My babysitter was camped out on the couch, scanning her phone. Jake picked up a throw from the floor, folding it as I grabbed cash out of my purse to pay her.
“Hey Sara, everything go okay?” I handed over the cash while she slid her phone and a book into her purse.
“Sure did, Ivy. Addie was a dream. She went down a bit after eight and was out quickly.” She moved toward the door with a glance at Jake and a wide grin at me. Super. “Thanks for having me, Ivy. Call anytime.”
“I will. Thanks again.” Her ponytail swished as she headed out the porch and to her car. Closing the door, I briefly wondered if teens gossiped about adults. I mean, would Sara be sharing with the town that Jake came home with me? Did that even mean anything? More importantly, did she know Lou? That could be interesting.
“Talk to me,” Jake said.
I turned from my spot at the door to look at him. Dang, he was gorgeous. Tonight he’d dressed up in a fitted white button-down and gray dress pants. I was torn between wanting to run my lips along the scruff at his jaw or unbuttoning that shirt. It was a win either way, right?
I shook my head, trying to clear out my thoughts. “What?”
He moved the two steps required to stand in front of me. “Hey,” he said, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. “You okay?” His thumb brushed along my jaw line and I fought a shiver.
I watched his expression soften. My emotions were all over the place with regard to Jake. He’d done more for me this week than anyone had since my grandmother years ago. It felt unbelievable to be taken care of, but I knew I couldn’t get used to it because it would kill when he eventually moved on. My brain kept replaying the kiss from the last time he was here. I vacillated between wanting a repeat performance and wondering if we should slow down and figure this out.
“I’m okay,” I whispered. “Just wondering where we go from here.”
Jake tucked some of my hair behind my ear, and I melted. “I’m trying to tell myself that I need to leave.”
