“No, she drove herself. She was drinking water for a while. Didn’t need a ride.”
“Alright, cool. Thanks, Mav. See you later.” I shove my phone in my pocket, and head for the door.
“Woah, woah, woah. We’re not going to talk about you and the nanny doing god knows what in my bar’s bathroom?” he asks.
“Nope.”
I see Chase walk behind the bar, and set down a tray of dirty glasses. I narrow my eyes on him briefly, before looking back at my brother.
“But you guys are a thing now?” Maverick asks.
My eyes flick back to Chase, who meets my gaze. “Yeah,” I say.
Maverick barks a laugh, then says, “Bout time.” He leans over the bar slightly and whispers, “Don’t worry. She shot him down. You got nothin’ to worry about.”
I must have a surprised look on my face, because Maverick continues. “She told him she wasn’t interested when you came back from Texas,” he says with a smirk. “Down, boy.”
Jesus… then I ignored her for two fucking weeks. I need to see her. I give him the finger, then turn to leave.
“I’ll send you a bill for the bathroom sanitation!” he yells out just before the wooden door shuts, cutting off all sound from inside.
When I settle into the cab of my truck I finally check my phone. The screen lights up with several missed texts from Ivy and the guilt rips through me. I feel terrible for leaving her. I had to go, but I should’ve had my phone so I could’ve at least given her an update.
I read through all of Ivy’s texts, amused as hell at her rambling. Yet, I keep going back to theI’d like to date you if you’re interestedtext. I can’t suppress my smile.You bet your sweet ass I’m interested. The fact that she was so worried for Lilah that she made one of my siblings contact my parents, makes my chest constrict.
I can’t wait until Monday morning. I know it’s late, but maybe I can just kiss her goodnight. Or tell her that I definitely am interested. My decision made, I throw my truck into drive, and head to her apartment.
When I arrive at Rose’s house and Ivy’s apartment, I pull up to the curb and quietly get out of my truck. I notice Ivy’s porch light at the top of the staircase is on, so I let the glow guide me as I gingerly take the steps that lead up to her front door above the detached garage.
I wrap my knuckles gently on the front door, crossing my fingers that Ivy is awake. I don’t have to wait long. I hear light footsteps approaching the door from the inside, and I smirk to myself, preparing—and secretly hoping—to see a sleepy Ivy in her tiny tank top and shorts I haven’t been able to stop thinking of.
I hear the chain lock being removed, then the dead bolt flick before her front door cracks open. I lean forward, trying to get a glimpse of her when I hear an unfamiliar female voice.
“Can I help you?”
My brows furrow when my eyes adjust to the lighting coming from inside the apartment, and see a blonde woman on the other side of the door.
I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, is uh… Ivy here?” I ask.
For some unknown reason, dread starts to seep in my gut before she even answers. I see the confusion flash in her eyes, and the dread seeps deeper.
“Ivy?” she asks, acting puzzled herself. “No, she moved in with her boss. She doesn’t live here anymore.”
She must be mistaken.
“What? Her boss?”
“Yeah, she's a nanny for some guy. I’m the nurse for the woman who owns the apartment. She needed at-home care. It wasn’t an issue because Ivy was asked to move in with her boss at the same time. It’s been a little over two weeks I think.”
I shake my head, trying to process everything this woman is telling me. Two weeks ago? We had just gotten back from Texas. She couldn’t have–
“She comes and sees Rose still, I can tell her you stopped by if you can’t get ahold of her.”
I clench my hands down by my sides, and try to confirm what I think is happening.
“So… Ivy moved in with herboss, who she nanny’s for,” I say, hoping if I repeat her words back to her she’ll correct me. “And he asked her to move in with him, at the same exact time that Rose suddenly needed a live-in nurse?”
“Yeah,” she responds matter-of-factly “Sorry, who are you?”
