“In a nanosecond. I’m not a fool.” Until the words left her mouth, it hadn’t occurred to Ivey that she should censor her reply. After all, this was Corbin’s mother. What she said to the woman might very well go directly into Corbin’s ear.
Well, shoot.
Unfortunately, Ivey had never been very good at censoring. “The thing is, Corbin has plenty going on right now. He definitely doesn’t need any other complications.”
With mock sympathy, Vesta asked, “Are you a complication, honey?”
The woman was damn tricky with her questions. “No, at least I hope not.” Was she a complication? What a repugnant thought. She’d have to ask Corbin. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy just to be with him.” For now.
Vesta snorted. “You’re not me, so don’t let him get too comfortable with that arrangement. Tell him how you feel and what your ultimate expectations are. You have to be firm with men, you know.”
“Mom,” Lang warned, interrupting.
Ivey looked up and found him leaning in the doorway, arms folded over his chest, his expression chiding.
Hagan sidled past. “I left my heartburn medicine in the RV. Be right back.”
Vesta watched him go, then turned back to Lang with a frown. “You’re interrupting some serious woman talk.”
Not in the least intimidated, Lang moved farther into the room. “Are you meddling already?”
“Get over here and help me up,” Vesta said by way of a reply. She held out her arms and Lang obligingly hauled her upright.
Next he caught Ivey’s elbow and brought her to her feet, too. “Word of advice, Ivey. Don’t listen to my mother.”
“Nonsense,” Vesta said. “Have I ever steered you wrong?”
“No,” Lang said. “But I’m your son. Besides, Corbin knows what he’s doing. There’s no one more levelheaded than him. Let him do his own thing in his own time.”
Appearing far too wily, Vesta asked, “Why, Lang, are you saying you don’t approve of Ivey as a sister-in-law?”
He didn’t take the bait. “Ivey knows better.”
“Then you think Corbin doesn’t really want her?”
“Of course he does,” Lang growled.
Ivey tried to run interference. “This isn’t necessary. Corbin and I are happy as we are.”
“You’d prefer to marry him,” Vesta said. “You already told me so.”
Face hot, Ivey muttered, “I thought that was a private conversation between us.”
Vesta turned on Lang. “There, you see? Now you’ve made her uncomfortable.”
“Yeah, right.” Deadpan, he said, “That was me who did that.”
Again, Ivey tried to intervene. “Really, this isn’t—”
Vesta spoke over her. “Don’t you want your brother to be happy?”
With an eye roll, Lang said, “Of course I do.”
Ivey saw the open front door move, but it wasn’t Hagan’s shadow looming. Uh-oh. She had a bad feeling. “Um...”
“So you don’t think Ivey can make him happy?”
“Corbin can make himself happy,” Lang stressed. He glanced at Ivey. “No offense.”
“None taken.” She watched as Corbin appeared around the door that Hagan had left open. “So, guys—”
“If he marries Ivey, and I’m not saying he shouldn’t,” Lang tacked on, “it won’t be to make her responsible for his happiness. That’s not how Corbin operates and you should know it.”
“The right woman makes everything better.” Vesta folded her arms in the same stubborn way as her son. “Shame you don’t know that yet.”
“Who says I don’t?”
“Oh? So who’s making you happy?” Vesta paused. “Dear God, you and Corbin don’t want the same woman, do you?” She turned to Ivey. “Are they both after you, honey?”
“Ha!” Ivey couldn’t help but grin. “There’s a fantasy, right?”
They both stared at her, Vesta amused, Lang a little appalled.
“Kidding,” she quickly assured them. Giving Lang back some of his own, she added, “Sorry, but there’s no competition. I’m on Team Corbin.” And speaking of that...she glanced at Corbin, rooted to the spot, appearing both horrified and amused. She winked at him.
Lang and Vesta started in again.
Deciding it was time to end the comedy before Corbin got offended, Ivey called out, “Justin, your dad is home,” which effectively quieted mother and son. Darting between them, Ivey made a beeline for Corbin.
He watched her approach with an incredibly intent expression that made her stomach tumble.
When she got close, she whispered, “Sorry,” and went on tiptoes to brush her mouth over his.
Evidently with other ideas in mind, Corbin drew her closer for a longer, more thorough kiss.
Yeah, well, she could just imagine how his mother would interpret that!
Just then, Justin bolted around the corner. “Dad!” Full of excitement, he came to a skidding halt in front of Corbin and Ivey. The dogs and even Maurice bounded around him. “Guess what?” Justin said. “Your mom is here.”
The silence lasted a good three seconds.
Ivey cracked first with a sort of snorting chuckle. When Justin eyed her curiously, she hugged him close and lost it, laughing out loud.
Laughter being contagious, Justin started to giggle.
Soon Lang and his mother joined in.
Corbin watched them all with a funny, crooked smile on his face. He didn’t look offended. Nope, he just looked like Corbin. Gorgeous, calm, rock-steady. Yes, she wanted to marry him. Who wouldn’t?
Even his family was wonderful.
And best of all, with Vesta around, Ivey knew she didn’t have to worry about talking too much or saying the wrong thing.
She’d be lucky to get a word in edgewise.
* * *
Corbin glanced at the clock. For over an hour, Ivey had been soaking in the jet tub in the master suite. At his house, she tended to take quick showers. He assumed so they could spend more time together.
Tonight, as soon as dinner had ended, she’d excused herself to let him catch up with his mother—or so she said—and then she’d disappeared into the master bedroom.