“Why don’t you shut your mouth?” she growled.
Her brother snorted. “I recognize that look—the look of someone who’s about to run.”
“I’m not running anywhere.” Dammit, her brother read her too well. She wasn’t running, she was just…having a moment of panic. “So how’s your latest dating escapade?”
“I don’t understand what’s wrong with me. It’s like I have a magnet for crazy.”
“Or the more logical explanation is that you’re the crazy one. Seems like the common denominator is you.” Smirking at him, she leaned against the countertop, inhaling the rich aroma of the breakfast blend.
Nash stepped into the kitchen, with his dad, of all people.
Gah, she didn’t care if her brother saw her like this, but this was Nash’s dad, a man she adored. And she was rumpled in yesterday’s clothing and her hair was a wild thing. Just great. She pushed off the countertop, attempting to smooth her hair out again, and didn’t even want to know what he was thinking right now. “Mr. Harris, it’s nice to see you.”
“You too, darlin’. Heard from a little birdie that you might be sticking around for a while?”
She ignored the surprised look her brother sent her and simply nodded. “Hopefully. And I hope you guys don’t mind, but I’m going to take a quick shower. Don’t leave before I come out.” She grabbed a cup of coffee, gave Mr. Harris a hug and pretty much sprinted from the room. She needed to shower, tame her hair, and more than that, get her emotions under control.
Chapter 24
“Sorry to just drop by unannounced,” Ezra said once Ivy had pretty much run from the room. “I was just worried about you guys, honestly. And I didn’t like that there might be bad blood between you and me.”
“Never,” Nash said, stepping forward, though all he wanted to do was follow after Ivy. “I meant what I said at your mom’s house. We’re good…but Ivy comes first for me.” He’d made it damn clear where he stood with Ivy to her brothers days ago—though it felt like an entire month since then. At least. “She always will.”
Nash noticed his dad was busying himself doctoring his coffee, taking his time as he and Ezra talked.
“I know. And I’m rooting for you guys. So you hear any news about the missing woman?” Meaning, Delilah.
“Not yet, but the Feds will find her.” Nash had no doubt the woman was long gone, probably on a plane overseas.
“Keep me updated. Look, I’m going to take a rain check on the coffee.” He took a slight step back toward the door.
“Don’t leave because of me,” Nash’s dad said.
“I’m not, promise. I’ve got some stuff to do this morning anyway, but it was good to see you.” He gave Nash’s dad a hug and headed toward the exit. “I’ll let myself out. Make sure you text if you get any updates.”
Once he was gone, Nash made coffee for himself and sat at the center island next to his dad—who was looking far too smug. “What’s that look for?”
“I’m just picturing all the grandchildren I’m going to be having in the next few years. Hopefully, of course. No pressure.” He grinned before taking a sip of his coffee.
He stared at his dad. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m glad you finally made a move on Ivy. That’s all.”
“Finally?”
“Please, son. I have eyes. And you’re always talking about her. You manage to work her name into any conversation we have. And I’ve seen the way you look at her when you think no one is watching. It’s the way I used to look at your mother. So you guys are…official? Or whatever term you kids use today.”
He nearly snorted at the word kids. “I don’t know what we are.” He knew what he wanted, but they needed to actually talk. And he couldn’t help but wonder if Ivy had been planning to run out on him while he’d been in the shower. She’d gotten a sort of panicked look earlier and he wasn’t sure what it meant.
“You’ve got to put a ring on it, then.”
He nearly sputtered his coffee out. “Excuse me?”
“That’s what the kids say these days, right? Put a ring on it. Lock it down. Whatever. I’m sure I don’t have the phrase exactly right, but you know what I mean.”
He stared for a long moment at his retired military father who’d just said put a ring on it. “Duly noted. What are you up to today anyway?”
“I wanted to talk to you more about that dog.”
“Well, things have settled down on my end and I’m serious about adopting him. I just don’t want to put too much of a burden on you. I’ll be here in the mornings and evenings, but if I travel, I might have to ask you to watch him over here. I’m worried it’ll be too much.”
His father waved that away quickly. “It wouldn’t be a burden. I hate that our community rules don’t allow pets. So it’s perfect. But you better check with Ivy about getting a pet because that’s a couple’s decision.”
He blinked because he hadn’t even thought about that but his dad was right. First they needed to iron out what they were and if she was serious about moving back to Miami.
If she wasn’t ready to move back yet, he would still make it work with her. He didn’t care that she traveled. He just wanted to be able to call her his. And vice versa.
Whatever had put that panicked look in her eyes earlier, they could work it out.
And he would convince her that they were meant to be together. If she balked, he’d just give her more orgasms until she realized they fit, that he could be her future.
Chapter 25
Juan’s breath caught in his throat as Angel stepped out of her shop. She’d taken her dark hair down so that it fell around her shoulders in soft waves. And she’d changed out of her work clothes into tight jeans that highlighted her curvy hips and thighs. The V-cut wrap-around sweater she had on had all the muscles in his body pulled taut—and as soon as they got back to his place, he was going to take his time unwrapping her. Slowly.
“You ready?” Her smile was a kick to his solar plexus every time. He still couldn’t believe they were together.
“Always. How was work?”
“Busy, but good,” she said on a laugh. “I’m glad to get off early though. I got your text. So do I finally get to hear what’s been going on with your friend?”
“Oh yeah, and I have a story for you.” He wrapped his arm around her as they headed down the sidewalk. He’d parked a couple blocks away so they could take advantage of the cool spring weather. “Some of it I barely believe myself but I know it’s true.” When Nash had called him and asked him to stay on the line while he basically infiltrated a warehouse and saved someone, he’d been tense the entire time, ready to go down there and help him kick ass. Before he could tell her any of that, Angel stiffened against him.
That was when he realized a man and woman with a stroller were coming their way on the sidewalk.
It took him a fraction of a moment to realize who the guy was. Her ex. Ricardo the douchebag.