Ivy’s mouth opens, then closes. She leans forward and squints. Her eyes rake over me from head to toe and then back up. I’ve never felt so... so evaluated before. “You’ve certainly filled out.”
Filled out?What does that even mean? Whatever it means, it doesn’t sound nice, especially coming from a woman who’s so thin I’m surprised she has the strength to walk.
But Ivy’s not done. “You’ve got a pretty face, but that curvy body of yours wouldn’t make it in Hollywood. Back here though, I’m sure you’re quite sought after. You’ve certainly gotten Nash’s attention.”
Again, what does any of that mean? I can’t tell if she’s insulting me or not. I feel warm lips on the side of my head and know it’s Nash doing the kissing. “You’re right. She’s beautiful.” I’m sort of speechless right now. Part of me wants to reach out and slap her stupid face; the other part is wondering why Nash has got a tight hold on me as he kisses my face. It’s all surreal. Nash’s palm is on my left hip now, dangerously close to my ass. He pats my side, saying, “She’s an amazing woman.”
Ivy nods and smiles, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. “She’d have to be to landyou, Nash.” Then she laughs.
Was that sarcasm? It’s hard to tell. I can’t believe she hasn’t made it in Hollywood. From what I can tell, she’s a pretty good actress.
Nash ignores her words. “How long are you in town?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Nash’s palm is now moving back and forth over my hip. This time he’s actually touching my ass. It’s surprisingly soothing while also troubling. I like it.
“Well, it’s been nice seeing you again, Ivy. It’s getting late. We need to get to bed.”
Weneed to get to bed. Oh, hells bells…. Now he’s insinuating that we sleep together, in the same bed. I feel my face heat. Luckily, it’s too dark for either of them to notice.
“Of course. I need to get back to Mom and Dad’s.” She turns and walks to her car. Before she slides in though, she says, “We should grab dinner while I’m home.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“No—” She laughs. “—not just us, Nash. Thethreeof us.” She points to me. “Just think of the gossipmongers in this town if the three of us were seen together.”
The three of us?Meaning Nash, Ivy, and me? What about Andi? Hey! She hasn’t mentioned Andi once.
“Goodbye, Ivy.” Nash’s voice is back to a grumble.
“Good night.” She waves using only her fingers. “See you soon.” Her voice sounds sweet and lyrical.
When her car door closes, I expect Nash to remove his palm from my side, but he stays right where he is. Even after she’s backed up and turned her car around, he’s still got his hand on me. It isn’t until we watch her taillights fade off into the darkness that he finally drops his hand.
I don’t know why I say it, but I feel it’s necessary. “She didn’t ask about Andi.”
His head turns so slowly I hold my breath, waiting for our eyes to meet. “I know.” Stomping away from me, then back to face me, he spits, “That fucking bitch.”
I can’t disagree. What kind of mother would forget to ask about her child after being gone for years? The answer is, a bad one. “Well, you need to get Andi inside and to bed, and I need to head home too.”
Nash isn’t really paying attention, but he nods. “Yeah.”
I make my way to my car and turn to Nash. “Good night.”
He’s still not looking my way. “Yeah. Night.”
Behind the wheel, I give a silent prayer that my car will start because I need to get home. It works. As I turn the car around, I see Andi in Nash’s arms as they make their way toward the house. I feel sad leaving the two of them. I feel drawn to them in ways I never saw coming. But now that Ivy’s back, no doubt it means our time together is over. I sigh because it was inevitable. It was going to happen soon anyway. Andi’s reading has improved so much, she doesn’t need me anymore. And now that Ivy’s back, neither does Nash.
19
Nash
I tuckedAndi into bed with her clothes on. She was so wiped out after a long day at school then dinner out, I was afraid I’d wake her up if I put her in pajamas. So, I slipped off her shoes and tucked her in. I stood beside her bed and stared down at her for a good long while. My little angel is beautiful. She’s smart and funny and amazing. She’s all of those things and more. But as I stood there, a chill ran up my spine.What if she’s back to take Andi?No, that’s impossible. She’d never get her. She abandoned her kid and never looked back. It’s desertion. My mom has said that to me several times over the years, and I’ve always just sort of let her words go in one ear and out the other, but now I get it. She must have suspected that Ivy would change her mind at some point. She also urged me to get an attorney. I never did that though. I didn’t think it was necessary. But what if it’s necessary now? I’ll call Max in the morning. He’s the only lawyer I know. Sure, his specialty is business law, but he’ll know people.
I contemplate a drink of the hard stuff like the whiskey my dad kept around for times like this, times when you had to think things through. But alcohol isn’t going to make me see things clearly, because I’ve no idea what Ivy is up to. Instead of drinking, I walk to my bedroom, strip down to my briefs, and slide beneath the covers. Sighing, I turn my head and look at the empty spot next to me. For the first time in years, I wish someone was beside me. Someone I could talk to, hold, kiss, and, well, love. Someone who would support me and my decisions even if they didn’t always agree with them. A partner. Someone who wouldn’t leave. Someone who’d love my little girl almost as much as I do. That’s the most important one. I sigh again because I see the face of the person I want next to me and I know it could never be.
