“Actually...yes.” Hope hugged herself. “I want to kiss him, Ivey. I think about it all the time.” With a soft laugh, she said, “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Perfect. “I’m sure he’s thinking about it, too.” Ivey looked at the image again. Hope had slim, shapely legs, gently rounded hips and a tiny waist. The neckline of the suit barely displayed her modest cleavage. “You are such an enticing little package. Lang is going to drool.”
“I wish I had bigger boobs.”
That got a surprised laugh out of Ivey. “Don’t be silly. Big boobs would look absurd on your petite frame.” With confidence, Ivey said, “You’re perfect as is.”
Fretting again, Hope whispered, “What if he misunderstands and thinks I want more than a kiss?”
In many ways, Hope was like a schoolgirl going through her first crush, cautiously seeking new experiences. “Wearing a bathing suit is not an invitation, honey.” Ivey handed the phone back to her. “Everyone wears them and it only means you’re comfortable enough with him to relax. Lang isn’t a dummy, so I trust he’ll get it. But you know I’m all about being up front. Why not just tell him you want a kiss, only a kiss? That way, there are no misunderstandings.”
Karen stuck her head in. “I’m heading out, ladies. I’m in desperate need of a dip in the pool and a margarita.”
Laughing, Ivey shooed her away. “You’ve earned it, Karen. Thank you so much for being with us through thick and thin.”
“Thank you. If you weren’t such an incredible vet, we probably would have lost that dog today and my entire week would have been ruined.”
The dog had been hit by a car and for an hour or more it had been touch and go. A grueling experience for all of them. “He’ll still need time to mend, but he’s from a good family and they’ll baby him.”
“Thank God,” Karen said, already slipping away. “Everything is locked up except the back door. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
As usual, Ivey and Hope gathered their purses together. So often, they were in perfect sync. They each slipped on sunglasses as they stepped outside, and Hope waited as Ivey locked the door. They turned, and together, tripped to a halt.
Geoff was outside his car, leaning against a fender and smiling in welcome.
“Ah, hell,” Ivey muttered low. Other than a few texts, she hadn’t heard from him in weeks. There had been that one moment at the grocery store where they’d run into each other, but Ivey had greeted him like a mere acquaintance and hurried on her way.
It was totally different to step out of the clinic and find him waiting in the lot.
“Should I stay?” Hope asked in a whisper.
“Absolutely not. Go wow Lang in that bathing suit so you can give me all the juicy details later. And, hon, as always, if you need me for anything, don’t hesitate.”
Hope cast a quick glance at Geoff. “Same to you, okay?”
“Thanks.” With a lagging step, Ivey walked over to Geoff and tried to work up a smile. “Hey.”
Geoff reached out to touch a damp curl clinging to her temple. “Rough day?”
Damn it, Geoff had never before been concerned about her days, rough or otherwise. Most evenings he’d made a beeline to the fridge for a beer, then sprawled on her couch to watch television or play on his phone.
She managed a thin smile. “Air wouldn’t stay on. The maintenance guy finally got it fixed a bit ago, but it was the end of the day, so...still hot when we left. Should be cooled down by the morning.” She’d been looking forward to seeing Corbin, and a delay was just annoying. “What are you doing here, Geoff?”
“I need to talk to you.” He straightened away from the car.
Automatically, Ivey backed up a step to put a measured distance between them. Geoff looked stressed, and now that she bothered to notice, he appeared leaner, especially around his face.
Staring up at him, she felt a twinge of concern. “Are you okay?”
“Without you?” His smile was sad. “Not really.”
“Geoff,” she cautioned gently. “Whatever was between us was long gone before I ended things. You need to move on.”
He nodded without much conviction. “I screwed up. I know that now. I got too comfortable, turned into a slug.” He blew out a breath. “I didn’t take care of you like I should have.”
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me, but interest would have been nice.”
Mouth firming, Geoff looked away. “I was a selfish bastard. I took you and your love for granted.”
Sympathy welled up, especially since Ivey was no longer convinced that she’d loved him. “It wasn’t all your fault. It takes two to let a relationship sink.” Far too often, she’d let things slide, because it hadn’t mattered enough.
Totally different story with Corbin.
Very different situation, too, because Corbin had some serious priorities above and beyond a romantic relationship. He put Justin first, rightfully so. To her, that only made him more loveable.
And yet, he was always very aware of her, too.
“You were great, Ivey. Too nice, maybe. But I wanted you to know, I’m going back to the gym now, getting off my butt.” Geoff’s earnest gaze held hers, and he whispered, “I’ll do better.”
Oh Lord. An obnoxious Geoff she could deal with. But a contrite Geoff? A humble and sincere Geoff? She scrambled for the right way to respond. Finally, with him waiting expectantly, she managed a tender smile. “That’s all wonderful, Geoff, and I’m sure whoever you’re with next will appreciate it.”
“Ivey—”
“But that woman won’t be me.” For both their sakes, she had to be firm. “Please understand. Even if you haven’t moved on, I have. I’m happy.” On impulse, she took his right hand in both of hers. “I want you to be happy, too, but you weren’t happy with me.”
“I was happier than I’ve ever been.”
“You know that’s not true.” She squeezed his hand, but when she started to release him, he held on. “We were convenient at first, then just in a rut. Don’t you see that?”
“I love you, Ivey. I think I always will.”
Inside, she grimaced.
Lifting her hand, Geoff pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “But I meant what I said, if we can only be friends, then I’ll accept that.”
Tugging her hand free, she said, “Of course we are.” She did care about Geoff, and she meant it when she said she wanted him to be happy. He just couldn’t be happy with her.