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Me: I was ready the second I spotted you at the table with your friends the night Dex ushered me out of the club and away from you.

Cash: Fuck, Ivy. So was I.

I’m about to come up with some witty reply when Everleigh knocks on the doorframe. When I glance up at her, she asks, “Can we talk?”

I set my phone down, and I raise my brows. She walks in and sits on the other side of my desk.

She draws in a deep breath, and I’m curious what she’s about to say.

My phone buzzes. I’m dying to look. It’s another reply from Cash, I’m sure. But I force myself to focus on my sister—my boss.

“I think you should move out.”

I gasp. I could’ve guessed a million different things she might say, and I don’t think I would’ve landed on that.

“You think I should move out?” I repeat.

She nods. “I think working together and living together when we’ve been geographically separated for so long is just too difficult. I’m having a hard time separating being your boss from being your sister when I’m both, and when I see you making the choices you’re making, I can’t help but step in to try to stop you when you’re living in my house and going out late at night in a new and unfamiliar city. I care about you, Ivy. I love you. And I’m never going to stop looking out for you, trying to protect you, trying to fix things for you. But it’s not about your age or me treating you like a child like you seem to think. I’m like this with everyone. Just ask Maverick.” She lifts a shoulder. “Ask Madden and Dex. They’re older than me, and I do it to them, too. And I think if you truly want to spread your wings, it might be easier for you to do that without me looking over your shoulder.”

I’m sure she’s right.

But also…I just started working here, and I’m an assistant, not a strategist. My savings accounts are frozen. I can’t access my trust fund yet.

I can’t afford my own place, and even if I could, I haven’t the first clue where I’d go. I’m still new to this town.

I press my lips together and nod. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right. I’ll start looking at places.”

“There’s no rush, Ivy. You can stay as long as you want. I just don’t want to be constantly fighting with you, and I don’t want the negative vibes interfering with our work-life balance.”

“I don’t want that, either. And for the record, I appreciate you letting me stay with you while I transition to this town. I like working with you. And don’t get mad, but I forgot to hit record on the audio for today’s meeting. I took meticulous notes, though, and I’m typing them up now.”

She purses her lips. “You were typing them on your phone?” She nods to the phone lying face down on my desk that I threw out of my hands like it was on fire when she walked in.

Okay, fine. So I’m caught. Again. I clear my throat. “No, I was just replying to a text. I’ll get right to it and have the notes in your inbox before lunch.”

She stands. “Thanks. And one of our clients is catering lunch today. It’ll be in the kitchen around noon.”

I glance at the clock. Less than a half hour. I guess I better get to deciphering my notes and typing them up…even though I’d much rather spend the day texting Cash.

CHAPTER 15: Cash Maddox

Morality Clause

I stare at the message I sent as I will her reply to come through.

Me: I’ll be here ready whenever you are.

I realize she’s at work, and surely she’s just busy. But maybe she’s not ready and isn’t sure how to tell me that.

If she wants someone to show her how it’s done, I’m up to the task. One hundred percent. If she’s looking for lessons, I’m ready and willing to be her teacher.

But I don’t particularly want it to turn into more than that.

Am I attracted to her? Fuck yes. Very.

But I don’t think it’s a good idea to let feelings get involved. I can’t have distractions taking any attention at all away from the ice, and I’m already worried she’ll be nothing more than a major distraction.

Which is why I don’t exactly know what to do about this whole marriage situation.