Page 30 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ivy

Ever since Cooper asked me to move in with him, he seemed preoccupied with something. He was constantly on his computer and taking calls. He'd said it was something related to a big job, but I'd never seen him so involved with work when he was at home.

I wondered if this was the schism I'd been waiting for. He'd pull away slowly, and eventually there wouldn't be a relationship to salvage.

When he'd asked me to move in with him, it had seemed like a big decision, but it was an easy one to make because we were already spending so much time together. But now I was worried that the changed status in our relationship had pushed him away.

It didn't help that I'd been more tired than usual.

I'd had to carve out time in the afternoon to take a nap on my couch in my office.

It was a necessity if I was going to make it through the rest of the day.

I was usually too tired to have sex at the end of the night.

Had Cooper decided that the baby was too real for him?

I decided to focus on my work so I wouldn't make any rash decisions about our relationship.

Cooper had mentioned something about me working with another realtor, and I hadn't thought much of it at the time.

But now I was considering it. It would allow me to manage or oversee the operations without having to do the legwork myself. It was an interesting idea.

What if I expanded my business in such a way that I could work and take care of the baby? My role would be more office related. And when I was on my feet again, I could resume my regular duties, or I could hire someone to help.

It was an interesting idea, and I'd drafted an advertisement looking for the perfect person, but I'd yet to hit Send on the email to the local paper.

What if I looked outside the island for someone new to the area? That would increase my potential pull of people. That idea motivated me to advertise in Ft. Myers and other communities in Southwest Florida.

Hopeful that this could be the answer to my concerns about juggling work with a baby, I moved onto searching for a nanny. I'd begun advertising on various caregiver apps and sites that claimed to find the perfect fit.

I needed someone who could be flexible, maybe a student who worked days and needed afternoon and evening hours. I shifted through the applicants I'd received on the apps so far and found one who was studying to be a child psychologist. She seemed almost too good to be true.

She'd already served as a nanny and needed afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. I asked if we could meet at a local coffee shop. I sent Cooper a text in case he wanted to join, but he'd said he was too busy.

That was understandable, but I'd come to expect him to drop everything if it pertained to my pregnancy or the baby. Didn't he care who I left our child with? Or did he think it was my responsibility?

The old Ivy would have been fine with it, but the new Ivy wanted to express her concerns with him and see what he thought. I'd come to rely on his opinion. Probably too much. It was a good reminder that at the end of the day, I could only rely on myself.

I left my office, wishing I had time for a nap instead of meeting with the potential nanny.

But she was going to get scooped up sooner than later.

I needed to come prepared to offer her top dollar.

I'd already decided that a traditional daycare situation would not be helpful since the hours were nine to six, and I needed more flexibility.

The only problem was that there weren't a ton of nannies running around the island. I opened the door to Sanibel Bean, ordering a decaf iced chai before scanning the dining room for the woman I was supposed to meet, Blakely.

A woman with long, wavy, dirty-blond hair waved from her spot by the window.

I moved toward her, and she stood to shake my hand. "It's so nice to meet you."

"You as well."

I sat across from her, feeling a bit like a whale compared to her. She was gorgeous, thin, and tan. "I'd love to have this settled before the baby arrives."

She smiled. "I'm sure it will be a weight off your mind."

"Please tell me a little about yourself. Why do you enjoy nannying?"

"I love working with kids, and I want to be a child psychologist. I've done several nannying jobs before, and you're welcome to contact any of them."

"I actually reached out before I scheduled the meeting.

They had nothing but glowing things to say.

" They'd mentioned how she was good with the children, positive, and upbeat.

"Are you sure you're okay with somewhat random hours?

I'm not sure what it will be like to work with a baby so I don't have everything figured out yet.

But I can offer you a certain number of hours a week, and I'm happy to work around your school schedule as well. "

"The hours blend nicely with my school schedule."

"For now, you'd be watching the baby at the house I share with the father, Cooper Kingston. At some point, I'd want you to be able to drive the baby to the playground or to mommy-and-me classes around the island. Do you have a car?"

"I do."

"Great." I felt comfortable with her. "I'd love to offer you the job.” I had no doubt that Cooper would love her too. She had the requisite background, training, and recommendations.

She outlined her salary requirements, which were on the higher end, but she was a graduate student. She easily commanded it. "I'm fine with that."

She grinned. "I can't wait to meet your little one and get started."

"I was thinking you could stop by and meet the father, Cooper, at some point and spend some time with the baby before I officially go back to work."

"Sounds good to me. Just let me know when. My current nannying job will be winding down soon."

The children would be going to school and wouldn't need her anymore. And the timing worked perfectly with my due date. We talked a bit more about expectations and details, and then we said goodbye. Pleased, I sent a message to Cooper that I'd found our nanny.

I wondered if he'd be upset that I'd made the decision without him. When he didn't respond right away, I worried some more.

I needed to get my mind off the situation, so when Elena texted and asked everyone if they were up for dinner out, I immediately accepted. I appreciated that they didn't do drinks when I was invited.

I didn't have any desire to go out to a bar when I couldn't drink and I was exhausted. Instead, we met at a local restaurant. It was popular with tourists, so we had a bit of a wait when we arrived.

"How are things with Cooper?" Elena asked while we sat on the benches by the front door.

"We're officially moved in together.”

She frowned. "I thought you already did.”

"It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement. I was in the guest room, but he asked if I'd stay in his room. It was more of a formality." He probably realized I needed clear lines drawn.

Elena's eyes widened. "He seems to know how to handle you."

I wasn't sure I liked that characterization. "Yeah, he seems to know me well."

Elena's forehead creased. "And you aren't worried about him leaving or changing his mind?"

"That's a hard one to let go of. He's been very involved with shopping and the baby shower. So patient and thoughtful."

"I sense a but coming."

"He used to be the one who came home early from work and never did paperwork or read emails. Now he's taking calls, he's on his computer a lot, and he's cryptic about what he's doing."

"Hudson usually leaves the work at the office. If they have issues, they meet during work hours. They aren't exchanging emails or having discussions at home."

"You're saying I'm right to be worried?"

"Maybe he's planning a surprise for you, and you won't want to ruin it."

"But he already surprised me with the baby shower. He can't be having another one." That would be too much.

Elena chewed on her lip. "Maybe he's planning something for the nursery or for you when the baby comes. Like the push present."

My brow furrowed. "The what now?"

"The push present. It's customary to get the mother a gift after the delivery."

I waved a hand. "That's not necessary."

"Cooper's a nice guy. He's going to treat you right and get you something."

I was doubtful he'd ever heard of a push present, but then again, he'd been doing a lot of research into the pregnancy and what came after.

He'd been a lifesaver when it came to those things since I couldn't seem to stay awake long enough to read any of the books.

"So I don't have anything to worry about? "

She chewed her lip. "I wonder if he has a good reason for what he's doing."

"I'll have to wait and see." And try not to freak out. "Luckily, I found a great nanny." I relayed everything I knew about Blakely.

"She sounds perfect for you."

"Cooper wasn't available for the meeting. I could have waited, but I didn't want to let the nanny go to someone else."

"I'm sure he'll be fine with whoever you chose. You have to be comfortable with her."

"Yeah."

The hostess said our table was ready. Tonight, Daria, Elena, Hazel, Nora, Kinsley, and even Penny were here. Penny had recently moved to Colorado for a job and fell in love with the town and the local doctor.

We ordered, and when the waitress took our menus, Penny said, "So much has changed since I left. Ivy's pregnant?—"

"I'm engaged to Hudson, and Hazel's officially engaged to Brady now," Elena said with a smile.

"My mom keeps me apprised of everything going on. I think she secretly hopes I'll move home."

"Are you planning to move back?" Nora asked.

"I love Colorado, the cool weather, the snow. And it's Lincoln's hometown. He moved there to be closer to his family."

"I think that's so brave of you to go there when you didn't know anyone," Daria said.

"It was a little scary. In the first few weeks, I got sick and went to see Lincoln at his practice before a huge snowstorm was due to blow in. He was worried about me living alone, so he made a home visit, found me passed out on the floor, and took care of me."

Daria sighed. "I can't believe you got snowed in with a sexy doctor."

Hazel nodded. "It's like a romance book. You were forced to spend the night with him, and by the time the snow melted, you'd fallen in love with each other."

"Well, snow doesn't melt that fast in Colorado, but we knew it was the beginning of something amazing. And we were right." Penny smiled widely.

I felt a little uncomfortable with her story. It was too good to be true and so quick. How did she fall in love with a man she barely knew? How did she trust that it would last? "Weren't you a little worried that it was fast?"

Penny's gaze settled on me. "Of course I was. But then he took me to meet his family, and he vowed to show me that he was all in with me. He was very convincing."

Kinsley covered her heart with her hand. "That's so romantic."

"I wouldn't mind being stuck in a storm with a hot guy. Too bad those stories are made for movies and books and not real life," Daria said, sipping her wine.

"But it happened for Penny. Who's to say it can't happen for you?" Elena asked her.

"Nothing interesting ever happens to me. I lead the most boring life," Daria said flippantly.

"That can't be true. How many people can say they own a seashell shop?" Nora asked.

"That my grandmother opened, and I continue to run. I don't have any great overcoming story," Daria said.

"I don't think you need to overcome anything to feel good about your life," Elena said.

Did I have an overcoming story? I liked to think I'd done better than my mother.

That I was stronger and more financially secure.

But did that mean I'd made it? Or that I'd succeeded at something?

I wasn't sure I wanted to be characterized that way.

I wanted to be Ivy, the amazing realtor and hopefully loving mother.

"I feel like I'm going to grow old, pick up crocheting, and join the local knitting club," Daria said dryly.

Elena nodded. "There's nothing wrong with learning those things if you want to."

"I might spend too much time with my grandmother. I'm becoming just like her. Cautious and careful. I don't take any risks," Daria said.

"What risks do you want to take?" I asked her, genuinely curious about her innercrisis. I couldn't relate to her feeling boring. My life had been anything but lately.

She frowned. "I feel like I should get out of my comfort zone and do something new.”

"An adventure company just opened." Nora pulled up the website. "They offer zip-lining, biking, and kayak tours. You could look into that."

Daria chewed her lip. "Yeah, maybe."

I had a feeling it would be a while before she took that step.

She was stuck in a rut, just like I was.

I'd recently moved away from my old beliefs and ways of being.

I had to trust that whatever Cooper was up to, he wasn't going to leave me and the baby.

That he'd always put us first when it counted.

It was good to spend the evening with my friends.

We talked about their lives and concerns.

It was more relatable than usual. Probably because I was more open to listening to them.

To relating their struggles to mine. We were similar, and we could help each other through these things.

I just had to be willing to lean on them.