“So, you’ve had an eventful two days …” Carlie says, then takes a bite of her cookie and stares at me like,I’m chewing. You talk now.Is she not even going to comment on how amazing these cookies are? I’d much rather talk about that.
“Well, yes.” I point to my wrapped ankle, propped on the ottoman in front of me. “I broke my ankle.”
A corner of her mouth turns up, and she swallows. “And Chad insisted on taking care of you,” she says in a low voice. She shares a meaningful look with Law.
I put up a hand. “Because I helped him with the girls when he had a migraine.” My tone is very muchof course he’s helping me.
Carlie arches an eyebrow. “Why are you blushing?”
I wave my hand around. “Because you’re insinuating things.”
She shares another look with Law. The ping of jealousy I feel seeing how close they are is different now than when I first got here. It’s not because she’s Law’s best friend now, replacing me. It’s that after hanging out so much with Chad, I realize what I’ve missed the last six months.
A best friend, not just a date or a boyfriend. Even in the short time I dated Caleb, we bonded. We told each other everything. We loved each other’s company. And for the two years I was with Malcolm, we loved spending time with each other doing our favorite activities—hiking, morning runs, board games, and cozy dinners together trying new foods.
Carlie lowers her voice even more. “Do you like him, Ivy?”
I deserve this. When Carlie and I first met, I grilled her like we were already besties. I knew Law liked her, and I’ve always been one to ask the deep questions first rather than small talk.
“Of course I like him. We’re friends.” I fake an unbothered tone.
Carlie huffs and Law snickers. “Romantically,” Law says knowingly, and Carlie nods in serious agreement, then glances over her shoulder, making sure that Chad is still safely inside his bedroom with the girls and can’t hear our conversation.
Oh boy. These two.
The heat flaming in my face is answer enough. “It’s because Ihaven’t been dating. Hormones. All that.” I act casual, but it’s useless. Carlie’s grin widens with every word.
She looks over her shoulder again. Law puts his arm around her. “I’ll keep watch,” he says.
She nods. “This isn’t like you, Ivy. You’re usually willing to spill everything. To process. What’s wrong with having feelings for Chad or pursuing something?” She leans forward.
“I’m not dating yet. Remember? I’m focusing on making sure I’m ready for a relationship before I get back into one.”
“Okay.” She tilts her head. “And what are you still working on to get ready? What’s stopping you from being ready now?”
Law snorts, and both of us whirl to look at him. “She’s pulling an Ivy on you,” he says to me, laughing quietly.
I look at Carlie, squinting at her. I open my mouth and … can’t think of any of the reasons I chose not to date when I moved back to Nashville. “Still ironing out bad habits,” I say, trying to sound more like my life coach self. “Making sure I’m not people-pleasing too much and ignoring red flags in potential relationships because I want to be with someone.”
Carlie still studies me. She draws in a breath, and it’s easy to guess that I’m about to get more of my own medicine. “What red flags does Chad have?” she asks, her tone sounding serious, conscientious. Exactly the tone I’d be using if I were having this discussion with her and I wanted her to admit she was falling for someone.
“He’s ten years older than me, is a single dad, and his ex is … complicated,” I say.
Carlie’s eyebrows jump. “How is being a single dad a red flag?” Her tone is accusing now, defensive of Chad, her faux life coach persona gone.
“It’s not a red flag, I guess.” I reevaluate what I want to say about this. “But it’s an important element to consider before jumping into something.”
“And so is the fact that he’s thirty-eight?” she says dryly. “Tell me about how that’s an issue.”
“We’re at different points of our lives. He’s a dad, and I’m just starting my career. That can lead to conflict.” Nowmytone is defensive. I’ve been trying to keep my head on straight the last day, ignoring how good-looking Chad is, how sweet he is with his girls, and the efforts he’s making to counteract the trauma his ex caused his family. It feels like Carlie’s jumping in and telling me to go crazy and ignore everything my own training has told me.
“Any difference in lifestyle can lead to conflict, Ivy. You know that. You could run into that with anyone.” Carlie nods toward Law. Their different life experiences did cause some problems when they first began dating, but they overcame it. “Are you not comfortable with the girls?” She scrunches her eyebrows together in confusion.
I shake my head quickly. “The girls are awesome. And I’m absolutely comfortable with them. That doesn’t mean Chad’s ready for me to be their mom.”
She sets her cookie aside and reaches for me. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and the defensive way you’re deflecting tells me you’re scared.”
I clench my jaw. “Have you been taking psychology courses or something?” I accuse her.
