His brow furrowed. “I can’t show up empty-handed. Mama Aimee will never let me live that down.”
“How will she know?”
“The woman has fostered dozens of kids. She knows everything whether or not I’m there.”
The respect and affection he showed for his foster mom touched Ivy’s heart. “There are usually too many desserts, but you could bring something to drink. Soda is a big hit with the younger kids, who tire of lemonade. Several guys will bring fireworks, but there’s always plenty of those.”
Nash’s mouth slanted. “There can never be enough fireworks.”
Ivy laughed. Something about fireworks turned men into children on Christmas morning. Must be lighting a match and setting off an explosion. “You’ll fit right in with the other guys.”
“Not your brothers.” He sounded resigned.
She didn’t blame him.
“You haven’t seen them since that night.” She and Nash decided a cooling-off period would be for the best and kept to themselves. Which she preferred so she could have Nash all to herself. “It’ll be fine.”
Ivy would make sure.
Everyone—meaning her siblings—could behave themselves for one day. No drama allowed. The only fireworks should be the ones shot into the sky. And she would tell each that.
“Can’t wait.” Nash sipped his water. “You brought your guitar, but we worked hard on that song earlier. How does taking the night off and watching a movie sound?”
She angled toward him. His eyes were bright. No dark circles. “Are you tired?”
“No, I just want to spend some downtime with my girl.”
His girl.Ivy liked being called that. “I’m in.”
His cell phone buzzed. Once, twice, three times.
“Your phone is blowing up,” she joked.
A ringtone she hadn’t heard before sounded.
“That’s R.J.” Nash pulled out his phone. “I need to take this.”
“Hey…” Nash stiffened. “When… No, I had no idea. I’m sure she doesn’t know. What’s on it… Okay… No, there’s nothing more I need to tell you. I just wanted to know what they taped…”
The way Nash stared at her turned Ivy’s blood to ice water.
“I’ll tell her. Yes, I’ll do that, too.” Nash rubbed his forehead. The muscles in the arm he held the phone with strained. “Are you kidding… This affects me more than it does you… I’m not trying to aggravate and disappoint you on purpose… At least not like this…”
Uh-oh.This didn’t sound good.
“Tell the PR people they can call anytime. I doubt I’ll be sleeping tonight.” Nash closed his eyes and then opened them. “Okay. I won’t leave the hotel… Promise… No, I’ve got it. Bye.”
Nash flipped his phone so the screen was against the table.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I…” He held her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. “Someone uploaded a video of our duet on Friday night. People know it’s me singing with you. Fortunately, the crowd was on their feet at the end of the song and blocked the camera from showing me kissing you.”
“I’m so sorry. Are you in trouble?”
He half laughed. “I’m always in trouble for something with R.J., but there’s more.”
Themorehad an ominous tone. Though she couldn’t imagine what else could be wrong.
