I just stare at her, unable to look away. “Me too.”
She turns to me and grins, then continues to her car. I open her door for her, and she lets me without any sass. Good.
“Oh, Sophie wants to take me out tonight,” she says as she buckles her seatbelt.
One hand braced on the roof, and one on her door, I reply, “Alright. I’ll be home in a few hours. I just have one more appointment.”
Ivy dips her chin once, then tilts her head up and puckers her lips, waiting for me to kiss her. Satisfaction bubbles over and I give her what she wants, kissing her goodbye.
I watch as she drives away, taking my whole fucking heart with her.
33
Wes
Before I even open my front door, I hear the music booming through my house. Someone’s in a good mood. When I walk in, I’m greeted by Lilah, Ivy, and Sophie dancing wildly in my living room.
“Just a Girl” by No Doubt assaults me at a deafening level as I watch Ivy spin my daughter around, and dip her upside down, while Lilah's little legs are wrapped around Ivy’s waist. When Lilah’s head falls back, she spots me, and yells my name, alerting everyone of my presence.
Ivy looks up and grins widely at me. “Hi,” she shouts over the music.
I grin back.
Sophie stops the music on her phone that she connected to my speakers. “Yay! Wes is home! Let’s go, Ivy,” she says.
Ivy laughs, then sets Lilah down, and kisses her on the head. “Alright, let’s go.”
“I want to go! Please Iby, I’ll even leave Burrito at home!” Lilah whines, pressing her hands together, begging.
Ivy glances at me, then Sophie. She looks absolutely heartbroken staring down at my daughter, clearly not wanting to deny her, so I throw her a bone.
“They’re going to a place where only grown ups are allowed, bug. But you and I will have fun, promise,” I cut in, so Ivy doesn’t have to break the news.
“Okay,” Lilah sulks.
“I’m only going to be gone for a little bit, but I’ll be home before you go to bed,” Ivy assures her, then glances over to Sophie for confirmation.
Sophie smiles at Lilah and nods. “Yes, cutie. Just a couple celebratory drinks for the birthday girl over here, and I’ll have her home by seven.”
I cock my head.
I feel the frown pulling at my face as I try to make sense of what’s happening.
“Damn you, Sophie Cooper,” Ivy hisses, and my eyes nearly pop out of my head.
“It’s your birthday Iby?!” Lilah screams.
I look at Ivy, completely speechless. How did I not know this? I replay all of today, and think about any clue I could’ve picked up on that today was Ivy’sbirthday. Her fucking birthday? The waking up together, the teasing in the kitchen, my office, the tattoo, nothing comes to mind.
Ivy winces and bares her teeth awkwardly. “Yes,” she answers Lilah hesitantly, before glancing back up to me sheepishly.
“Sorry, it slipped,” Sophie says as she squeezes her eyes shut.
“When you come home I’ll sing you Happy Birthday, okay? Daddy!” Lilah yells. “We have to make Iby a card!” She scoffs, like I should know this.
I just nod dumbly. I haven’t said anything. I don’t know what to say. Was it a secret?
“I can’t wait!” Ivy says a little too brightly. “I’ll hurry home, promise.” Ivy drops to her knees and hugs Lilah tightly.
