His voice was husky and intense. He pulled back and studied her face. “I know we need to talk, but tonight probably isn’t the best time. So let me put this out there. I know you’re worried about the future and what might happen if things don’t work out between us. I understand that. But I’m not worried. We’re going to be amazing together.” He squeezed her closer. “Now, perhaps I should ask why you came out of the bedroom?”
Her cheeks burned and she tried to drop her head, but he caught her face in his hands.
“Ivy?”
“We’ve already done what I came out for.”
At that, Gil’s eyes widened, and he was laughing when he lowered his face to hers again.
Then he wasn’t laughing.
And Ivy lost all track of time. Again.
THE GARAGE DOOR CREAKED OPEN,and a car pulled inside. This time, Ivy didn’t race to her room but stayed in her spot curled against Gil on the sofa. She probably would have shifted and put a little bit of space between them, but Gil met her gaze. “They can let themselves in.”
“Did you give them your garage code?”
“Luke has my garage code programmed into his car.”
“What?”
Gil shrugged. “While I was recovering last spring, we were paranoid about parking on the street and walking across the yard. But I didn’t have a bunch of extra garage door openers lying around, so they would call, I would open the garage door, and then they’d park in the driveway and come in. But it was a pain. When Luke and Zane got their cars replaced after the attack, they had the capability of holding three different garage codes, and we programmed my garage in. It’s easier. And safer. You open the garage door, park in the driveway, and dash inside. You’re exposed for a few seconds at most.”
“Makes sense.”
“I can get into their garage the same way. Faith can get in the house too. And we can all get into Faith’s place. The only person whose home isn’t accessible is Tessa’s. But she lives in those swanky apartments with a doorman and secured elevators.”
“Yeah. I saw that today. Zane has a card he scanned at the elevator and then at her door.”
Luke and Faith hit the living room, and Gil launched in. “So, Zane has a keycard to Tessa’s apartment?”
Faith grinned. Luke shrugged. “Apparently. And he knows how to use it. Waltzed right in like he owned the place.”
“I’ve kept my mouth shut, but if you two”—Faith pointed to Luke and Gil—“don’t find out what’s going on with them, I will.”
“Maybe we could get past Ivy’s drama first?” Luke’s suggestion didn’t have much conviction behind it.
“Yeah. Last spring you said to wait until we were past that drama. And now Benjamin’s coming for an interview, and you know he’ll hit it off with Jacob, and he’ll move here, and Zane’s going to move to DC, and he and Tessa won’t ever get together.”
“After we get Ivy squared away.” This time, Luke sounded like he meant it.
Gil nodded. “Agreed.”
Faith glared at both of them. “I’m holding you to it.” Then she focused on Gil, and there was a teasing gleam in her eye. “At least one part of the situation with Ivy is sorted, or I’m assuming it is, based on the cozy cuddle you have going on.”
Luke nodded with mock solemnity. “She’s not kidding. This is all I heard the whole way here. So, thank you.” Then he turned and gave Ivy a slow smile and a wink.
After that, Faith and Luke settled in for the evening. It was the first time Ivy had seen them do this. She’d always been in bed when they arrived. Tonight, she was struck by how comfortable they were in Gil’s home. Faith emptied the contents of a bag, which turned out to be an alarming combination of firearms, chocolate, and two decks of cards.
Luke went to the fridge. “Faith, baby, want some Key lime pie?”
“Sure.”
Gil leaned in to Ivy and whispered, “This is why I had another slice. There probably won’t be any left by morning. If you want a piece, speak now.”
Luke puttered in the kitchen and returned to the living room with two large slices of pie, a cup of coffee, and a Cherry Coke.
More confirmation that Luke and Faith were regulars in Gil’s home. Unlike the way Luke had been at Tessa’s. But Zane had known where everything was at Tessa’s and had been completely at ease. Ivy tucked this away for future consideration.
