He hadn’t heard from Ivy in a day and a half. Which he was prepared to admit was 110 percent his own fault. But she’d just up and fucking left, without so much as a Post-It note of explanation. He’d learned from Erica that a locum was covering Ivy’s patients, but not a single fucking person knew where she’d gone. Or at least no one was telling him.
He’d called Hope, who’d assured him in clipped tones that Ivy was in a safe place and needed some space.
Fuck space. Space was what had gotten them into this mess. Emotional space, mental space, physical space. The more they put between them, the worse off they were. He needed to find her, immediately.
“Dude, I had new floors put in a couple months ago. You break it, you buy it, you know that, right?” Gabe reclined in his fancy leather chair, beer in hand.
Sean wanted to smack that beer out of his friend’s hand and wipe that knowing look off his face.
“I’m not going to damage your goddamn floors.” He clenched his molars harder than was probably dentist recommended.
Gabe set down his beer and raised his palms. “Look, I’ve been where you are. Literally, like exactly where you are, pacing this room like a caged animal. No idea where my woman was at, thinking that all hell was going to rain down on me—again.”
Sean closed eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I really, really need to know where she is.”
He’d tried calling, texting, emailing, but stopped short of sending a carrier pigeon. He’d gotten nothing but a big fat silence that screamed,Stay the fuck out of my life, you asshole.
Gabe’s footsteps came around the desk. Then a firm grip clasped his shoulder.
“No one said this shit was easy.”
When Gabe didn’t elaborate, Sean sighed loudly and opened his eyes to the ceiling. “The being dumped shit?” Because if this was what this was, it might kill him.
“The love shit,” Gabe replied. “It’s hard as fuck, but damn, it’s worth it.”
If there was ever a time to finally admit out loud that he loved Ivy, this would have been it, but his brother burst through the door with a force that sent it crashing against the wall.
“Dude, door!” Gabe choked out, as Sean demanded, “Jordan, what happened?”
Jordan grinned like he’d just won the ultimate prize. “I think I know how to find her.”
* * *
Ivy pulled her suitcase out from under the wrought-iron bed her nana hadn’t changed since Ivy’s youth. The frilly and faded pastel-blue duvet set was so outdated that a vintage store probably wouldn’t want it, but it was still the most comfortable bed she’d ever slept in. She set her suitcase on the mattress and started packing.
And by packing she meant tossing clothes and toiletries into her bag at willy-nilly. Time was of the essence. She’d wasted too much of it already when she could have been home talking to Sean. Apologize, explain, and hope that he could forgive her, that was her priority now.
“I’m going to miss you, dear,” Nana mused from the bedroom doorway.
Ivy stuffed the last of her clothes into her suitcase, zipped it closed and faced her grandmother, the first person who’d shown her love. Even though she was still spry, sharp as a whip, and in phenomenally good health considering her eighty-plus years, Beatrix Harrington’s age showed around her eyes. Not the fine laugh lines she’d acquired over the years, but a tiredness that hadn’t been there before.
“I’ll miss you too.” She rushed forward to envelope her sweet, sassy, and too-British-for-her-own-good grandmother in her arms. “I’ll come visit more often,” she promised.
Nana let out a loud snort. “You’re a busy, hardworking, young career woman. I have no expectation that you should cater to your ancient grandmother when you could be out courting that beau of yours.”
Ivy smiled. “I love you, Nana. And, courting or not, I’m going to visit you more often,” she said decisively and meant it. And next time, she’d bring Sean. If they managed to undo all the damage they’d done.Ugh, she couldn’t even stomach the alternative.
Just as they stepped back from their embrace, the doorbell rang.
Nana perked up like she was a six-month-old puppy. “Oh, I’m sure that’s the new delivery man!” she exclaimed with a youthful giddiness that Ivy wasn’t used to. She gave Ivy a wink. “I told him to ring my bell instead of leaving the box at my door because I’m expecting a parcel of utmost importance. Very high priority.”
“What are you expecting?” Ivy asked suspiciously. Ever since she’d taught her nana how to order online, she’d been on a mission to order every kitchen gadget known to man.
“Just a book,” Nana announced with glee. “But I like the look of him. Fine muscles on that one.”
“Nana!” Ivy gasped.
“Oh, don’t be such a fuddy-duddy. One’s never too old to appreciate the design of a fine male form.” And on that note, Nana made her way down the hall.
