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But we can’t deny that something was simmering on that road trip and it was betweenallof us. I’m going to do my best to make it happen, even if it means letting my mask slip a little. I’ll be vulnerable as fuck if it means I can have Liam and Ivy in my life.
“But what if…”
“Fuck the what ifs,” I tell him. “You’ll what if the rest of your life if you don’t at least hear Ivy out.”
I can practically hear him nod.
“Fuck it. You’re right. Let me finish up here and I’ll be over.”
CHAPTER 17
Ford
I haveno idea what I’m feeling as I make the drive to Harrison’s.
I didn’t need to be at the restaurant tonight. It was an attempt to distract myself from thinking about the very people I’m now driving to meet. So that was a huge waste of time.
I think the staff were actually happy when I told them I was leaving. I know our night manager was getting sick of me.
I’ll admit I was hovering. Over the reservations up front, over the wait staff, over the kitchen. I was making unnecessary changes and confusing everyone, and Lucille had suggested nicely that maybe I could find something to do in my office. Then she’d suggested much less nicely that the olives needed to be counted. One by one.Allof the olives.
I didn’t inventory the olives. Obviously. But she made her point.
When Harrison called I was actually doing dishes. The two high school boys who were on dish duty tonight had been shocked when I’d told them to take a break, with permission to eat oysters, grilled asparagus and French bread, and that I’d do dishes for the next hour. But they’d quickly taken me up on it.
And scrubbing the pots and pans had definitely let me work off a little tension. And had kept me out of the staff’s way. And kept me from going home and moping around.
It hadn’t, however, kept me from thinking about Ivy and Liam.
I park in Harrison’s driveway and stare at Ivy’s car.
I’m the last one to arrive.
I should go back to Raw.
They have a reason and I’m convinced it will result in all of us very naked and very happy.
Harrison’s words come back to me.
Ivy and Liam are here for a reason. This isn’t just a social call. And they’re not here to rub their new relationship in our faces. They wouldn’t do that. They’re good people. Very good people.
That’s why Harrison and I have fallen in love with them.
I sigh and shut my car off. I’m going in. For better or worse.
I let myself in through the front door and kick off my shoes and shed my jacket, tossing it over the coat tree. Then I follow the sounds of their voices to the kitchen.
My gaze lands on Ivy as soon as I step into the room. Like a fucking magnet.
She looks gorgeous. She’s in a pink top with straps that leaves her shoulders bare and white shorts with sandals. Her long blonde hair is up in a twisted ponytail thing. And she’s glowing.
Because she’s in love.
And being well fucked by the man standing right next to her with his hand resting on her hip.
I suck in a deep breath, then step into the room.
Ivy seems to sense me and her gaze meets mine immediately. She straightens and her pretty smile fades.