Not quite so casual, she recited hers. Corbin got the impression she didn’t pass out her number often, but then, neither did he. It was different here, in Sunset. Instead of hooking up at night with a woman in a club, he’d met a veterinarian on a rainy afternoon while leasing out a guesthouse with his son nearby.
If someone had asked him a year ago, he’d have denied such a thing was possible. Now? In so many ways, it felt incredibly right.
When her phone pinged with the text, Ivey smiled.
“Why don’t you tell Justin?” Corbin suggested. “He’ll be excited.” Realizing he’d imposed on her busy day, he asked, “Or do you need to get back to work?”
Gazing up at him, Ivey nodded, then shook her head.
His mouth twitched. “Yes? No?”
She noticeably gathered herself. “Sorry, I got distracted. It’s not often a gorgeous man gives me his number.”
Damn, he enjoyed her praise. He knew he wasn’t an ogre, but he’d never had a woman be quite so open with her compliments. “Gorgeous, huh?”
“No reason to be modest.”
“I’m not.” Though he wouldn’t have described himself that way. How did she constantly get him off track? “Do you expect me to believe guys—gorgeous or otherwise—aren’t interested in you?”
“I don’t know. I was with Geoff for so long that...” She cut herself off to assure him, “But I’m ready to get back out there.”
“Good to know.” Not kissing her took great concentration. It helped that Justin was nearby, waiting for him.
“That was my plan, you know. I was going for variety.”
“Variety?” He wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that.
“Geoff was such a grind toward the end that I sort of swore off commitments. My new plan was to focus on me and what I want.”
Fascinating. “Solid plan. So...what is it you want?”
She shrugged. “Convenience? I know I don’t want another slug taking up space on my couch, especially when he’s not...”
She stopped abruptly, and damned if heat didn’t tinge her cheeks. “When he’s not what?” Corbin prompted.
Her chin lifted. “Let’s just say if I make time for a guy, he better be worthwhile.”
Was she talking sex? Tantalized by that thought, Corbin propped a shoulder on the wall and regarded her. “How’s that going for you?”
The question caught her off guard. “What?”
“Getting back out there.”
“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I’ve been busy, so...” She rushed on with, “If you’re interested, though, I’ll find time.”
“Count me interested.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. “Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll shut up now.”
No way could he contain his laugh. He trailed two fingers over a fluffy curl, ending with a stroke against her cheek. “Don’t ever censor yourself on my account.”
“I tend to go on.”
“You speak your mind and I like it.”
Her smile came slowly before she checked the time. “I dragged you in here to discuss the dog and got totally sidetracked. All the T&A talk threw me off.”
He opened his arms. “Lay it on me.”
Without hesitation, she launched into her concerns. “I’m thrilled that he wants Daisy, please understand that. I love her so much and I badly wanted her to find a good home. I knew it’d be crazy difficult for me to accept someone as her owner, but I think Justin will do a great job with her, especially after seeing them together.”
She’d rattled that off so quickly, Corbin had a difficult time keeping up. “But?”
“Daisy—or whatever he decides to call her—is a very energetic dog. She’s smaller than many, but makes up for it with sweetness. Because she’s still skittish, she’s going to need a lot of attention. Adapting from her life here to your home will take patience.”
Such an amazing, big-hearted woman. “We’ll be very good to her, Ivey. I promise.”
“I can’t guarantee she won’t chew on stuff or piddle on the floor or—”
“Hey.” Cupping her cheek again, he let his thumb tease near the corner of her mouth. Her skin was incredibly soft and warm. “You have my word. I’ll supervise Justin and together we’ll make sure she’s well loved. Okay?”
She deflated with a sigh. “Yes, I believe that, or I never would have agreed.” Hesitantly, she asked, “While the puppies mature, I don’t suppose you’d bring Justin by every so often so Daisy can get to know him better?”
Glad that she’d suggested it, Corbin smiled. “That’s a terrific idea. Justin would love it.”
Her gaze searched his. “And you?”
Ah, the straightforward approach. He had no problem with that. “I’ll enjoy seeing you again.”
Making no bones about her relief, she blew out a breath. “Great. Now I really do have to hurry.” Without waiting for him, she opened the door and rushed back out to the small yard. “Hey, monster fan, sorry that took so long.”
“It did?”
Clearly his son was so involved with Daisy and the puppies, he hadn’t even noticed.
Ivey laughed. “Have you decided on a name for her?”
“I was going to go with Ripley, but I might just leave it Daisy.” The dog sat in his lap, face tilted up while Justin stroked her back. “She probably wouldn’t like someone changin’ her name.”
“I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” Ivey reclaimed her seat beside him. “I have a couple of ideas and you can let me know what you think. Your dad already agreed, so it’s up to you.”
Justin cast Corbin a wary look. “Okay.”
Corbin was getting used to that expression. Sometimes it seemed that Justin feared him. After all, a man who could give so much could also take it away. In time, he hoped Justin would learn to trust him, to rely on him. Until then, maybe he needed to pull back a little. Not with the dog; that was a great idea, he believed that. But he could slow down the pace with everything else he bought. He might be overwhelming Justin with all the gifts.
Ivey spoke as if she were imparting great secrets. “When I was your age, and all through college actually, I amassed a huge collection of horror stuff.”
Justin’s eyes widened. “Do you still have it?”