When I go downstairs and wait for her in the kitchen, I notice her parents watching a movie in the living room. They’re cuddled together, holding hands, and despite their position, they look restless. I can’t imagine how difficult Finn’s situation must be for them.
Ivy comes downstairs a few moments later. “Ready to go?” I ask when she joins me.
“Yeah.” She smiles brightly.
She tells her parents we’re going out, and they tell us to have a nice time. I lead her down the street until we reach the beachfront, the sun still high in the sky.
“What did you want to tell me?”
I suck down a breath and shove my hands into my pockets. “I got a call from my dad today.”
Ivy’s face falls slack. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is good.” I turn to her, not being able to fight the smile on my face. “Great, actually. Mum’s new treatment has had good results, and they think it’s the one that will make her better.”
She claps a hand over her face, both of us stopping outside the ice cream shop. “Oh my god,” she gasps through her fingers. “JJ, that’s amazing!”
Then she’s up on her toes and wrapping her arms around my neck, tugging me as close to her as possible. I smile gently and bury my head into her shoulder, telling myself that it’s okay to be emotional.
“You’re the first person I wanted to tell,” I say into her ear, holding her tighter than before. “I was getting worried, I hadn’t heard from my dad in a while.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs into my T-shirt. “For sharing it with me. I’m so pleased for you, JJ. I’m pleased for all of you.”
I press a kiss to her neck and pull away slowly. My hands stay on her arms as I’m looking down at her. “I remember when youwished my mum a healthy recovery with your shot of sambuca on our first date.”
Her eyes light up like fireworks. “You remember that?”
“I remember every moment with you, princess.” I lean down to nuzzle my nose with hers. “Even if I wanted to forget, I couldn’t.”
Ivy’s eyes flutter shut for a moment, and she presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You are so special,” she whispers, and her words make me shiver. “To me, to Finn, to your parents. You are a breath of fresh air in this world. We’re all lucky to have you.”
I fist the back of her hair, tilting her neck to get better access to her lips. “Don’t make me cry. I’ve already cried today, and that’s one too many times for the year.”
She laughs against my mouth, and it comforts me to the bone. “Let it out, JJ. I don’t care, but you have to know how much you mean to me. In the short time I’ve known you, you’ve changed my life in ways you can’t understand.”
“I do understand,” I groan, kissing her deeper. She hums in surprise when my tongue invades her mouth. “Because you’ve done the same to me.”
Ivy gasps into the kiss, gripping my shoulders. For a moment, I forget we’re standing outside the ice cream parlour until the man behind the counter clears his throat. I pull away from her but keep my arms firmly around her shoulders.
She buries her head into my chest, embarrassment swarming her, but I’m grinning ear to ear. “Sorry, man,” I say to the owner who stares at us like disgusting horny teenagers. “We’ll get whatever she wants.”
Her head raises, and she walks to the counter, looking through the glass at the different selections of ice cream. I watch her cheeks remain tinted pink as she folds her arms over her chest. I smile at her innocence.
“Can we get hazelnut and strawberry, please?” she asks.
The man nods, and I sweep my arms around her from behind. “I wish I could tell Finn.” I lower my head. “He always asks how she’s doing.”
She glances up at me over her shoulder. “You can soon. When he’s home and better. I pray it helps him.”
“I know.” I sigh in agreement. “But I’m sure it will. I know he doesn’t want to live with those demons anymore.”
“He will get better,” she says confidently.
“I think so too.”
CHAPTER 47
IVY THOMPSON
