“Oh wow,” she says.
“What’s up?”
“Message from Stella. It says Jack is out. They’re letting him go today.”
“Wow. Well, that’s good news, right?” I feel better knowing she won’t have to work with that dickweed again.
“I mean, I think so. The only other thing she said was not to rush back. They have a lot to figure out.”
“For real? Wow.” I pretend that I don’t immediately think about her having more time. It’s too soon to ask her if she plans on staying here. Part of me so badly wants to ask.
I focus on the eggs in the pan. I know I won’t be able to keep my cool if she looks at me. I’ll blurt out something idiotic.
“Are you sick of me yet?” She grins at me and her face is bright.
“Not even close.” My voice comes out too serious.
“Are you sure?” Her voice is almost teasing.
“Fucking positive.” I grin this time.
“Mind if I stay for a few more days? Eventually, I will have to go back to the city—”
The move is probably to play it cool. But I can’t do it.
I pick her up from the chair and spin her around my kitchen. Slate barks and comes in to see what all the commotion is about.
“Hell yes! You can stay as long as you want,” I say into her neck. I set her down and lock my eyes on hers. “I told you… I want you for as many days as I can have you.” I reassure her with a smile.
“Isn’t this kind of crazy? This whole… thing?!” She puts her hands on her forehead, taking it all in. “The sequence of events. What it took for me to get here. I can’t stop thinking about it,” she says.
Slate barks, interrupting whatever Ivy was thinking about.
Ivy laughs and it’s the most wonderful sound. I know I’ll do anything to hear that sound for the rest of my life.
And then I put my arm around her waist and dip her like we’re in a cheesy romantic comedy movie and kiss her. Really kiss her. She continues to giggle and I know it’s the right move.
She’s worth it.
Chapter Fifty-Four
“I TOLD YOU, you don’t have to take me to the airport,” Ivy says for the fifth time. She zips up a bag in her room at the lodge. She’s almost completely packed and the inevitable gets closer and closer.
Ivy is leaving. Going back to her apartment in the city. I knew this would happen but it still hurts.
This hurt is different. Maybe because I know it won’t hurt forever? At least I’m hoping.
Hope. Can’t remember the last time I felt that.
“And I told you, I was going to do it anyway.” I’m short and to the point. There’s no way I’m calling a car to drop her off at the airport. No fucking way.
“You probably have a ton to do—”
I interrupt her with a kiss. The quickest way to get this woman to stop rambling. Well, other than feeding her sugar. I feel the argument leave her body as she leans into me. She deepens the kiss, her hands in my hair.
I pull back. “Nothing more important than this.” I kiss her on each of her cheeks.
She scrunches her face up and laughs.
