“Oh good. We’ll have that in common.”
“—and she’s a hugger. If she doesn’t hug you, it means something.”
“Like what?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Within minutes of meeting Ivey, he imagined his mother would be squeezing her tight. “I promise, you’ll be hugged so much, it’ll start to annoy you.”
That sexy mouth of hers quirked. “I’ll persevere.” She traced his collarbone. “You’re not worried about Justin seeing us together?”
“No. Don’t ever think that.” Corbin cupped her cheek in his hand. “You’re a good influence. With you, he sees how a healthy, independent, motivated woman should be.”
Her eyes going incredibly soft, Ivey whispered, “Thank you.”
“He needs to sort things out in his own mind, in his own way, but I want to help him however I can. Saying to him that his mother fell short wouldn’t be right, especially since I have no idea of why she’s done the things she’s done.” In his heart, it didn’t matter. She’d slighted his son, kept Corbin from him, and for that he’d never forgive her. But in his head, he knew he shouldn’t judge Darcie too harshly, because he’d grown up with incredible advantages. Not just security, but the solid love and understanding of his family.
“I’ve wondered that, too,” Ivey said. “I’m guessing she didn’t have an easy life?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. We only dated casually a few times. When Darcie’s family moved away, I barely noticed.” His mouth twisted. “Now I realize she must have been pregnant.”
“And you were only seventeen?”
“Yeah... I believe that happened on the first date.” But there was no point to rehashing the past. “I see no problem with Justin knowing you and I are in a relationship.” More and more, he realized the truth. “You’re the whole package, Ivey. Strong in the most important ways, accomplished and respected and settled in your independence, with a house of your own. But you’re also compassionate, energetic and funny. There’s absolutely nothing about you that could negatively influence my son.”
“You see the best in me.” Her smile wobbled, but she lifted her chin. “Thank you.”
He saw what was there, what anyone with eyes and even the smallest amount of perception noticed within minutes of meeting Ivey. “Will you stay with me?”
“I’d like that, yes. As you said, I’ll have my own house available if either of us needs a break.” She peeked up at him. “Promise you’ll tell me if, after a few days, you need some space?”
“All right.” But he knew he wouldn’t.
“Good.” She laced her arms around his neck. “And I’ll tell you if I do.”
His good mood slipped. “You think we’ll get on your nerves?” Other than the sleeping arrangement, things wouldn’t be that different from what they’d done the past week.
“No, but I don’t want to tie you down, so I’m trying to be fair. Let’s tackle it one commitment at a time, okay?”
He’d have her with him, and that was the most important part, so he nodded. “Got it.” Not to push his luck, but he asked, “Do you think we could start tonight?”
“Um...no.” She laughed and gave him a hug. “I’ll have to get some things together. But as soon as I can manage it, okay?”
“I’ll help however I can.”
* * *
By the time July rolled around, Ivey had all but moved in for good. Two days after Corbin had asked her to stay with him, she’d managed to get her necessities to his house. Once or twice a week, she brought over a few more things.
And now, it truly felt as if she was part of their family.
A fun perk was that she and Hope saw more of each other, because they all got together often for dinners, boat rides and even quiet conversation around a bonfire. Whenever the guys were busy, she and Hope would relax on their floats in the lake. Her life felt better, more relaxed and easy, than it ever had before.
It was a hot summer evening and Ivey had just showered and changed using the master bedroom, which was where she kept her ever-growing wardrobe from home. Maurice generally slept on the bed in that room, but he didn’t seem to mind that Ivey wasn’t there.
Though Justin tried taking Daisy to bed with him, she always ended up back in the laundry room with her puppies. They seemed to have gotten comfortable there, as if they considered it their own private room.
All during the day, though, the dogs kept close to Justin, following him as if he were the Pied Piper. Justin loved it, and it did make it easier for Corbin to get back to work.
The pups were now big enough for homes of their own, but no one mentioned that, so neither did Ivey. The thought of parting with them didn’t feel right. She was pretty sure Justin felt the same way.
The kitchen was empty when she walked in, but she heard everyone out on the deck. She went through the dining room and out to the covered area. The scent of barbecued ribs on the grill filled the air. Lang stood cooking with Hope sitting nearby. Her friend wore her swimsuit with a beach towel around her waist. Her hair, still damp, was slicked back from her face. She now had a light tan and a perpetual smile on her face.
Corbin reached out a hand to Ivey. Feeling lazy and relaxed, she went to him, and he tugged her into his lap. Maurice stretched out in the sun near the railing so he could keep an eye on Justin and the dogs playing in the yard below.
It was a picture-perfect evening and Ivey knew she was more content than she’d ever been before.
She glanced at Lang and Hope, saw that they were busy chatting quietly and whispered to Corbin, “Geoff called me again today.”
Though his expression darkened, his tone was still easy and relaxed when he said, “That’s getting to be a habit of his.”
“He hasn’t called that many times.” In the past month, he’d only pestered her three or four times. Since she wasn’t at her house very often, she had no idea if he’d tried stopping by there again. She hoped not, but because she always kept their exchanges brief, she hadn’t asked him.
Ivey got comfortable with her head on Corbin’s shoulder. “I think he’s finally grasping reality.”
Fingers teasing up and down her spine, Corbin asked, “What makes you think so?”
“I told him that he’s a great guy—and, Corbin, overall, he is. I also told him that I’m a pretty terrific person.” She kissed his throat. “I know that because you tell me so often.”
“Because it’s true.”