Her cheeks flushed.
I leaned over, pressing a kiss to her mouth. “Babe, I’m teasing. Just saying, I have no issue with any toys you have in there. I’m just wondering if we can pull one out next time and use it too.”
Her shocked eyes found mine. “Really?”
I laughed. “Fuck yes, that would be hot.”
She leaned over, snuggling into my arm, and slid her head to my chest. “Thanks for a great Thanksgiving, Jake.”
I kissed the top of her head. “Back at you, babe.”
I sat there, Ivy’s head on my chest as my fingers ran through her hair. I alternated with wanting to stay here forever and the desire to tell my panicked heart that we were good. When I looked down at Ivy, the lines we’d drawn for this relationship were so blurred I couldn’t see them if I tried.
Friends that had sex. Yeah, great idea. My heart felt like it was standing outside my chest, preparing to get stomped on again. When Noah had appeared at dinner, I’d wanted to dash off to a jewelry store, buy a ring, and stick it on her finger. Or pee in a circle around her. The desire to say that she wasminewas overwhelming. And I was certain that line of thinking would make her kick me to the curb so fast my head would spin.
I thought back to Rachel. I’d thought I loved her, and I did, in my teenage and early-twenties way. But from where I was sitting, it seemed like that hadn’t been love because if it had, what the hell was this? It felt stronger and a whole lot scarier. I didn’t want to fall in love again. I wouldn’t survive it when she left, and then I’d lose Ivy and Addie. I couldn’t do it.
Joke was on me, I guessed, because I knew the jig was up. I was gone for this woman.
“You okay?” she whispered, looking up.
I brushed her hair back from her face, ignoring my gut that was churning. “Yeah, babe.” I said.
Before I could continue, her phone vibrated. I grabbed it from the charger and passed it to her. She looked at the text and laughed, holding it out to me.
Drew:Tony Stark said it best, part of the journey is the end. The end of our dog park trip is here, sadly I’m sure for you. The princess and I will be arriving with Chief in ten minutes. Get dressed and be presentable.
I looked up at Ivy who was grinning.
“Your brother is wacky.”
“That he is, babe. We better get presentable.”
I pressed a kiss to her lips and moved to get dressed, turning from her while I did so. I felt like everything I was thinking was out and readable to anyone who looked. Vulnerability wasn’t my thing, but I had somehow landed here. Now what did I do?
29
Christmas Lights
Ivy
The bell rang behind my customer, and I put my head down on the counter. Deep breaths. It was only a little after lunch, and we’d been slammed the entire day. I shouldn’t complain after my concerns about our sales this summer. I wasn’t complaining, but wow. Christmas shopping was the real deal.
A bell interrupted my brief break. Digging deep, I sat up with a smile on my face. “Welcome to Pages,” I called before focusing on who was coming in. Realizing it was Kristine and Kate, I hopped up to come around the counter toward them. “Hey, you two, come out of the weather,” I said, arms out for a hug as I glanced over them at the snow that was drifting down outside. I looked over my two new neighbors. “Is the studio all set?”
Kristine leaned against the counter and wiped a hand theatrically across her brow. “Finally. I feel like Kate and I have been living, breathing, that place for the past two weeks. Our goal had been to be open for the Reds event, and here we are, five days ahead of schedule.”
“And everything is all set?” I asked. “Nothing more you need?”
“Nope,” Kate replied. “As a matter of fact, we’re holding a soft opening tonight for our friends at five. Just want to have a quick class to get the feel for the space, give back to some folks that have helped make this dream a reality. We wanted to come invite you in person.”
A warm feeling washed over me. Kate and Kristine had been in a lot in the past two weeks as they finalized the studio and Kate moved in upstairs. Between these two, Maggie and Emma, Jake and Drew, I was beginning to feel like I was part of the fabric of this town. Maybe I couldn’t give Addie a big family or, heck, any family, but I could show her what friends that you chose to be your family were like.
“I need to figure out Addie, but if I can, I’ll be there. I’m beyond excited for you. Now”—I gestured to the shelf by the coffee maker and teakettle—“tea?”
“Yes please,” Kristine called while Kate just replied, “Peach.”
I headed over and kept talking. “How many are you having tonight?”
