Kate thought about it, then replied. “I think, including Kristine and me, we’ve invited around ten. We have the library crew, including Emma. We asked Maggie, but told her she could just come for company if she didn’t feel like doing any poses. Then there’s you, and I invited Nic and Elle.”
I smiled, thinking of the three of them in the apartments upstairs. “Have you gotten to know Nic and Elle in the past week?”
Kate let out a light laugh. “You could say that. They’re fabulous. We’re going to do a weekly dinner where we rotate apartments depending on who hosts. Elle was up first. She’s sweet.”
I thought of the quiet woman who’d moved to town to be closer to her sister. Elle had been here several weeks, and I felt like I was finally getting to know her. With her working from home, I was grateful that Kate and Nic had struck up a friendship with her. The three of them could have a lot of fun together.
“That’s awesome,” I told Kate. “I expect to be invited to one of these dinners.” My phone vibrated from the drawer. I slid it out and glanced down.
Jake:I have the afternoon off because Sully wanted to switch schedules. Would Addie be up for hanging out? I can get her from school.
A whoosh sensation rolled through me.Jake. Thanksgiving had been unreal. Drew and Addie had come back from the dog park with Chief. Addie and Chief were glued at the hip. Drew had given us a knowing look, which made me laugh. The guys had hung out, watching football, Addie and Chief having a dance party, until we had to haul out the leftovers for sandwiches for dinner.
Jake and Drew shared that in their family, Thanksgiving Eve was for watching Christmas movies. Addie immediately pleaded for our favorite,Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. I’d watched it as a kid, and Nana bought me my own copy years later. Now I just streamed it for us anytime we wanted to see it, Christmas or not.
While I am certain that wasn’t the movie the guys had planned on, they still sat and watched it with Addie, discussing how Santa could get down that skinny little chimney. Then the guys had gone home, and it was just Addie and me.
To be honest, the house had felt empty.
For the past three days, Jake, and by extension, Drew, had been in and out of our house. Stopping by when they could, asking if we wanted to walk Chief, checking to see if we wanted to get together for a meal. I felt at once grateful and worried. They were weaving their way into the fibers of our lives, and I felt like we were a house of cards. One false move, and it would all come tumbling down. I couldn’t, shouldn’t, rely on Jake. And yet I was, more and more.
Goddess, I was in love with the man.
I felt like Nana should be there, slapping me teasingly on the side of the head, and saying,Finally.Jesus, how’d I get here?
I looked at his text again.Focus, Ivy.Addie would be over the moon to get picked up by Jake. And looking at the time, there was plenty of time to let Teri know as well as the school.
“Earth to Ivy,” called Kate.
I glanced up to see Kate and Kristine watching me with twin grins on their faces.
“Thinking about someone special?” Kristine asked.
My cheeks heated up. Darn fair skin. Well, heck, why not bounce this off of them? “Well, Jake texted—”
“Um-hm,” Kate said, nodding. “I’ve heard about Jake, and I’ve only been here for a few weeks.”
Raising a brow, I considered Kate. “Really?”
Kristine laughed. “Miss Lou came in last week before the holiday to see what our schedule of classes looked like. She was hoping for some pole dancing classes.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “I mean, pole classes are cool, but she does realize you’re a yoga studio, right?”
Kristine shook her head. “I think she mainly wanted to get our reaction. At any rate, she proceeded to fill Kate here in on all the gossip in Highland, including you and Jake.”
“Gracious,” I said. “Well, Jake texted to see if he could pick up my daughter from school today to hang out.” I gestured at my phone.
“Heck yes,” Kate said. “Tell him to keep her for an early dinner and your childcare during class is solved.”
“Great idea,” I murmured as I pulled up Jake’s text on my phone.
Me:Sure. I’ll call the school and Teri to let them know. Any chance you could have dinner with her as well? The yoga studio is doing a soft opening at five p.m. and invited me to class.
Jake:You bet. Do you want to pick her up at my place or me take her to yours?
I thought about it. Either would work, but if they were at my place Addie could get ready for bed after they ate and I’d be home early anyway.
Me:My place, if that’s okay. Key is still under the pot.
