“Don’t forget that it was wonderful.”
Ivey laughed. “How could I forget? That’s the best part.” Lang had earned a place in her heart forever, regardless of how things eventually rolled out between him and Hope. “So what else has happened?”
“You know he’s watching Justin today while Corbin visits you. Well, Lang asked me along! We’re going to a movie, then dinner and then to the beach.”
The beach was basically a sandy shoreline at the other end of the lake, but a lot of people in the area gathered there at all hours of the day. Sounded like Lang planned to give Corbin plenty of free time. Ivey silently cheered, but because this call was about Hope, she veered quickly back to it. “How fun.” The beach would be especially crowded on a Sunday afternoon, so it was a huge step for Hope to go there. “Give me all the details. Movie title, which restaurant and whether or not you’re taking that cute bathing suit along...”
“Not just the bathing suit, but I also bought a few floats for us. One is a flamingo—that seems perfect for you.”
Ivey laughed. “Oh, I love it! Thank you.”
“Mine is this cute tangerine-colored float. I’ll use it at the beach, but we’ll store them at Corbin’s.”
“You’re really getting into lake life, aren’t you?”
“Crazy that I’ve lived here so long and never realized how fun it could be.”
Ivey smiled. It was fun now because of Lang. For that alone, he would always be very special to Ivey.
For fifteen more minutes, she and Hope chatted. Ivey continued to soak, occasionally rubbing the scented bubbles along her arms.
Giving up on his mouse, Maurice circled once, tucked his nose close to his tail and dozed off. Eyeing his fur, Ivey saw that the humidity affected him just as much as it did her. He had little curls everywhere.
Thinking about that made her realize she’d need plenty of time to get her hair in order. So after insisting that Hope catch her up first thing Monday morning, she hung up and reluctantly climbed out of the bath.
She had only an hour before Corbin would show up and she really wanted to look her best.
* * *
Corbin arrived five minutes early, not that he was anxious or anything. Ha! He’d thought about Ivey nonstop, about the impression she’d made on his life, and on his son’s life.
Unfortunately, another car pulled up to the curb right ahead of him...and he realized it was Geoff.
Recalling Ivey’s reaction to his request that she not see Geoff, he forced himself not to overreact. Ivey, with her big heart, didn’t see Geoff for the opportunist that Corbin knew him to be. He got out of the car, quietly closed his door and headed for the walkway. Seconds later, Geoff called out to him.
“Hey, you’re a friend of Ivey’s, right?”
Stopping, Corbin gave himself a second to find a smile and turned. “That’s right. And you are?”
“Her boyfriend.”
“Ah. Not how she tells it.”
Geoff ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I meant ex.” He eyed Corbin. “I don’t recall your name.”
“Corbin Meyer.” That was as friendly as he could be.
Striding forward, Geoff held out a hand. “Nice to meet you. You’re new to town?”
Damn it, he didn’t want to engage with the man—but again, Ivey had been prickly over the idea that she and Geoff were friends. “I moved here with my son a few months back.” And he’d hooked up with Ivey almost from the start. “My brother is here now, also.”
“So you’re putting down roots, then.”
Wanting rid of me? This smile was more genuine. “That’s right.”
Pushing his hands into his pockets, Geoff looked toward Ivey’s door. “I was just dropping in to see her.”
“Bad timing.” Lying through his teeth, he said, “We’re going out.” He would if Ivey preferred it, but he had a feeling neither of them wanted to waste a single minute of their privacy.
Not giving up, Geoff asked, “Yeah? Where to?”
It’s called none-of-your-business. Giving him a direct stare, Corbin said, “Usual for a date.” Then he stepped away. “I should go, but I’ll let her know you stopped by.”
“I’ll just say hi.” Geoff fell into step beside him.
Unbelievable. Irritation growing, Corbin thought about telling him to get lost—and suddenly Ivey’s door opened.
Her gaze went from Corbin to Geoff and back again. Smiling, she said, “I was watching for you.”
Deliberately, Corbin leaned in and brushed his mouth over hers. As placidly as he could manage, he flagged a hand at Geoff. “He dropped in to see you, but I told him I had dibs on your time.” She flushed, and that made him smile. “You look beautiful, by the way—as always.” He realized that she’d put on makeup and that her hair was smoother than usual.
“Thank you.” She touched her hair. “I tried.”
Corbin laughed. Trust Ivey to say the most unexpected things.
With an exaggerated look of apology, she glanced at Geoff. “Sorry you made the trip for nothing, but we really do have plans.” She touched her hair again. “And damn it, the humidity is already working against me.”
Geoff and Corbin both rushed to reassure her. That Geoff was louder really irked Corbin, but again, remembering how she’d reacted when he’d tried to warn her about Geoff’s motives, he stepped back and let her handle things.
“Thank you, both, but you’re terrible liars. I can feel my hair getting bigger. Not that it matters now.” With a sound that was part sigh, part huff, she turned to Geoff. “Next time you want to visit, please call first, okay?”
“Whenever I do, you say you’re busy,” Geoff complained.
Corbin barely banked his smile. Ivey was busy nearly every day after work...with him.
She shot Corbin a long look, then moved two steps closer to Geoff. It was ludicrous the way she lowered her voice, because Corbin still heard every word.
“Geoff, we talked about this. I told you I’m involved now, so yes, my free time is extremely limited.”
“Sorry.” After sending an accusatory glance at Corbin, Geoff rolled a shoulder. “I just wanted to talk.”
Ivey appeared equal parts annoyed and sympathetic. She touched Geoff’s arm. “I’ll call you tomorrow during my break, okay?”
Geoff slowly smiled. “That’d be great, honey, thanks.”