“Me too!” Zoey bounces in Law’s arms.
“So can I!” Law joins in with a bright voice. “How about you, Chad?”
If he wasn’t holding my girls, I’d punch him in the stomach. I ignore what he’s insinuating and turn to Ivy instead. “I’d love to help take care of you.”
She chews on her bottom lip. Add another thing to my checklist: not kissing Ivy in front of the girls when she’s being completely irresistible.
“I only brought clothes for a few days,” Ivy says, but her tone sounds more likedo you really want me to staythanit’s not really feasible. At least, that’s what I choose to believe.
“You’re going to be taking it easy,” Carlie says, leaning in next to Law. “You won’t need much, and you can borrow some stuff from me.”
Ivy bites her lip again.
“Youhaveto stop doing that,” I say in a low groan. Ivy’s cheeks go pink, and she immediately releases her full bottom lip.
It actually doesn’t help at all.
“Let’s go, girls. It’s getting late,” Carlie says, her voice filled with laughter. She nudges Law. He wiggles his eyebrows at me and follows his girlfriend out the door.
“Do you really want me to come to Houston?” Ivy asks when the door has closed behind them.
“Definitely,” I say distractedly. I peer out one of the skinny windows flanking the front door.
“It just … seems kind of crazy. Like maybe you should take a second without the rush of these last couple days and make sure?—”
The girls are safely buckled. I silence Ivy by taking her hips and backing her up against the door. Then I kiss that tempting, irresistible bottom lip. Then the top lip. Then I kiss her for several more seconds to make sure all of her lips have been thoroughly kissed again.
“Ivy.” I eye her sternly when I’ve pulled away a few inches. “I barely lasted through dinner without doing that a million times. Don’t go back to Nashville yet.”
“Hmmm,” she says, cocking her head to one side and then biting her bottom lip again. Her lips are pulled up teasingly, and it makes her twice as irresistible. “I don’t know, Chad,” she says with faux indecision. “I think I need more convincing.”
I take her crutches out from under her arms and set them aside. Then I scoop her up into my arms. I might like doing thisa little too much, especially how Ivy gives a little breathless “oh” every time I do it.
“Hope Ava and Gabriella don’t mind if we monopolize the library for a little longer.”
CHAPTER 16
IVY
While helping Chad out with his girls is a little bit of torture—for both of us, I think—it’s also a thrill. After talking everything out last night, it’s like I’m his partner. Well, maybe his partner in training. Obviously, we’re still brand new, and he’s doing ninety-nine percent of parent responsibilities, but he leans on me in little moments and I love it.
I love helping him like this. I love being here for him to support him in a way he needs.
I love the secret looks he casts my way.
The girls pick up that there’s something different. Well, Scarlett does, at least.
“Daddy?” she asks when we’re settled on the plane and waiting for takeoff. “Is Ivy your new best friend?”
Chad and I share a look across the first-class aisle—another bonus of choosing to go home with them to Houston. Chad paid for my flight change and my upgrade. I’m sitting by the window with Scarlett next to me, and across from us, Chad sits in the aisle seat with Zoey next to the window.
I’m sure Carlie can’t help herself, but she peers around the edge of her seat in the row in front of us and wiggles hereyebrows. Luckily, Scarlett’s looking down, coloring on her tablet.
“Ivy and I have always been good friends.” Chad winks at me, probably because Scarlett is still focused on her coloring.
“But now you kind of want to be with her a lot more.” Scarlett colors in a flower and looks up at me. Then she turns to her dad, expression questioning.
Chad glances at me and gives a shrug. “I like spending time with Ivy,” he says.
