“Yes! And you haven’t seen him enough.” Alice reached for her son.
“Alice, give her a break. We could have visited too,” Frank said.
“Oh yeah, because travelling with a baby is so easy.”
Josh put a hand on her shoulder. “No, but we had the time. Ivy’s been making a career for herself. I think it’s fantastic that Sunset wants you, Ivy.”
“Thanks.” Ivy smiled at Josh and plucked a cookie off the tray. “We’ll see how this interview goes.”
“When is that again?”
“Tuesday afternoon, Mom.”
“Oh, you’re going to be in the thick of rush hour.”
“I’ll drive her.”
“No, I thought I would leave Josh with you, Aunt Wendy and then Ivy and I can have dinner afterwards?”
“I would appreciate the lift in the city, but the interview is going to go late, and I thought I would stay overnight.”
Her parents exchanged one of those silent looks.
“That sounds great! I should get a hotel to myself,” Alice said.
“You would miss him too much.” Ivy reached over and tickled Josh under his chin. He giggled.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Alice smiled at Ivy. “What are your plans for tomorrow? Want to go ride at the McNeil’s?
“I’m going to Mom’s read-through.”
“The read-through is only going to be two hours. You’ll have good afternoon light to go for a ride.”
“That sounds awesome,” Ivy said. She had missed riding horses. The last time they were here for Christmas, she had tried to get Gabe to go for a ride, but he shook his head at her and insisted he wouldn’t be good at it.
Ivy frowned. Gabe had called her twice, but she hadn’t called him back, wanting to stay focused on the interview. But she missed him. And somehow, being in this cozy living room with the people she loved made her miss him more.
“Ivy, so it’s a plan? We’ll swing by around three tomorrow?”
“Yes, great.”
“Okay, let’s get Josh home. He’s getting tired.”
Alice and Frank said their goodbyes, and Ivy kissed Josh’s fat baby cheeks again.
“Honey, do you need anything for the interview?”
“I brought clothes, Mom.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow at her, and Ivy sighed, helping her to clear the plates from the coffee table. “I might need a shopping trip.”
“Yes! We could go in about an hour if you're not too tired?”
“Okay.” Ivy grinned.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, Mom.”
