Page 34 of The Dating Ban (Mind the Corbin Brothers #1)

Unbalanced

Theo

B y the time breakfast is finished, Lucy is practically buzzing. She keeps glancing at the fridge like it holds some kind of sacred treasure, which, in her mind, it probably does.

I lean back in my chair, watching as she finally can’t take it anymore and jumps off her seat, clapping her hands together. “It’s time!”

Ivy looks at her, amused. “Time for what exactly?”

“For your cake, obviously!”

She dashes to the fridge, carefully retrieving the little plastic container like it’s made of pure gold. Then, with exaggerated importance, she carries it to the table and places it directly in front of Ivy, standing back with her hands on her hips.

Ivy blinks down at it. “Wow. A royal presentation.”

Lucy nods seriously. “It’s very special.”

Ivy presses a hand to her chest. “I’m honoured.”

I chuckle to myself, carrying the empty plates to the sink as Lucy watches Ivy with great anticipation .

Ivy peels off the lid and stares down at the little strawberry cream cake. “This looks amazing.”

“It is,” Lucy says knowingly.

Ivy picks up a fork, about to take a bite, but then—she pauses. “Actually, you know what? I think I’d like to share it.”

“You will?” Lucy asks with a big smile on her face.

“Of course.” Ivy grins, cutting the cake in half and pushing a piece toward her. “I can’t possibly eat something this special all by myself.”

Lucy looks at Ivy like she’s just become her absolute favourite person in the universe.

And, honestly? Watching the two of them grin at each other over their shared cake? I’m not far behind.

I shake my head, turning back to the dishes before I start thinking too much about how stupidly good Ivy looks when she smiles.

As I rinse the plates, I glance over my shoulder casually. “So,” I say, keeping my voice easy, “what’s your plan, then?”

Ivy, mid-bite, raises an eyebrow. “Plan?”

“Yeah.” I turn back to the sink. “For today. For the rest of your trip. You sticking it out at the campsite or are you thinking of… reevaluating your life choices?”

There’s a beat of silence behind me before I hear her scoff.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

I smirk to myself, scrubbing a plate. “Maybe a little.”

Ivy huffs, setting her fork down. “Well, since you ask so nicely, I was thinking of heading into the next village today. Maybe find a B&B. ”

I glance over my shoulder again. “Giving up on camping already?”

She levels me with a look. “I spent a night in a shower shed, Theo.”

I let out a quiet chuckle, placing the last plate in the drying rack. “Fair point.”

But even as I turn off the tap and shake the water from my hands, my mind is already somewhere else.

She’s planning to leave.

Which is fine. It’s smart. Logical. She never planned to stay here, and I know Ivy—she doesn’t like feeling like she’s imposing. She’d rather check into a B&B and deal with it herself. That’s who she is.

But I’d be lying if I said I liked the option of her leaving.

Truthfully, I’d love to have her around.

Even if it isn’t the best idea.

Even if yesterday there was that almost-moment in the kitchen, thick with something neither of us acknowledged.

Even if she’s on this ridiculous dating ban and I have no business thinking about what would happen after it ends.

None of that changes the fact that I want her here.

Just for a little while longer.

I turn, about to say something—anything that might nudge her in the direction of staying—when Lucy suddenly gasps dramatically, nearly knocking over her juice.

“Ivy should stay here!” she declares, like she’s just had the most brilliant idea in the world.

Ivy laughs, but shakes her head. “Oh, Lucy, I—”

“No, listen!” Lucy hops out of her chair and rushes over to Ivy, gripping her arm with both tiny hands. “You like it here! And I like you being here! And you don’t have to sleep in a scary shower!”

Ivy glances at me, looking amused but also a little uncertain. “Lucy, that’s really sweet, but I—”

Lucy turns to me, eyes huge. “Daddy! Tell her she can stay!”

Ivy gives me a wary look, clearly expecting me to swoop in and diffuse the situation, back up her reasoning, give her an easy out.

But I don’t.

Instead, I lean casually against the counter, arms crossed, and say, “Well, she’s got a point.”

Ivy blinks. “Wait, what?”

I shrug. “We’ve got the space. You’d be more than welcome to stay.”

Ivy’s eyes narrow slightly, like she’s waiting for me to follow up with some kind of teasing remark.

I don’t.

Because for once, I’m being completely serious.

She hesitates, fiddling with her fork. “Theo, I don’t want to intrude.”

“You wouldn’t be,” I say easily. “It makes sense. You get a dry, warm bed. Lucy gets her new favourite person around for a little longer.” I smirk. “And I get the pure joy of reminding you that I was right about the whole ‘camping being a bad idea’ thing.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s something else in her expression. She’s considering it, but something’s holding her back.

I see it—the hesitation, the conflict.

But I also see the way her fingers still rest on the table, tapping lightly, like she’s talking herself out of something she wants.

So I make it easy for her.

“No pressure,” I say lightly, pushing off the counter. “It’s just an offer. If you’d rather get a B&B, I’ll still give you a lift.”

Lucy tugs on Ivy’s arm again. “Pleeeeease?”

Ivy lets out a long sigh, shaking her head—but she’s smiling.

“You guys are relentless,” she mutters.

I lean in slightly, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial tone. “And if you stay…” I pause for dramatic effect. “I’ll make homemade pizza.”

Ivy gives me a so what look, pretending to be unimpressed. “Oh, now you’re bribing me ?”

“Absolutely.” I cross my arms. “I make a mean pizza.”

“What kind of toppings are we talking?”

I smirk. “Whatever your heart desires.”

Ivy huffs, shaking her head, but there’s a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “You really aren’t making it easy to say no.”

“Then don’t,” I reply.

“Say yes,” Lucy chimes in, practically bouncing with excitement.

Ivy exhales, eyes flicking between me and the hopeful little girl beside her. I decide to seal the deal.

I lean forward, resting my arms on the table, my voice dropping just slightly. “Most importantly,” I say, locking eyes with her, “I’m a first-class spider catcher. ”

A spark of amusement flickers across her face, but she doesn’t look away. “Well, now I have to say yes,” she murmurs.

Still, neither of us moves.

Then—bam. Lucy launches herself between us, wrapping Ivy in a fierce hug.

Ivy lets out a small Oof! but laughs, hugging her back.

I push away from the table, turning back toward the sink, exhaling slowly as I pick up the tea towel.

This feels like the best decision in the world.

And maybe also the worst.

The sun is warm, the grass soft underfoot, and the air has that perfect early-morning stillness.

It’s the kind of day that makes yoga outside feel like a great idea.

We have done yoga every day this week but always indoors because the weather hasn’t been very kind.

Today, however, the sun is out, and so Ivy suggested to move it to the garden.

And to be fair—it was a great idea.

Except now, standing in Tree Pose, I’m far too aware of Ivy balancing beside me.

She’s steadier than she was during our last lesson, but she still wobbles now and then, her foot pressing a little too hard into her thigh, her arms shifting ever so slightly as she works to keep her balance.

It’s distracting .

Not because she’s bad at it but because she bites her lip when she concentrates, and it’s making it very hard to focus on my own pose.

Lucy, standing between us, is completely in her element. She’s balancing effortlessly, her little hands pressed together, her eyes closed like she’s some kind of tiny yoga master.

“Ivy, you’re doing better!” she announces happily.

Ivy exhales, adjusting her stance. “I feel better. I mean, my legs still hate me, but I haven’t fallen yet, so I’m calling that a win.”

I smirk. “See? Told you you’d improve.”

“Yes, yes. Theo is always right. What a shocking revelation.”

“Glad you’re catching on.”

She gives me a look that promises payback, but she’s still smiling.

“Okay,” I say, shifting into Warrior. “Let’s move into the next pose.”

Lucy follows instantly, lifting one leg behind her and stretching her arms forward, her tiny frame perfectly aligned.

Ivy hesitates, then moves into position, lifting her leg and stretching forward—only slightly wobbly this time.

“Look at that,” I murmur, tilting my head toward her. “No dramatic flailing.”

She huffs, focusing on keeping steady. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you want me to fall?”

“No, I’m just—”

But then—she wobbles.

Just a little. Just enough that she reaches out without thinking—

And her fingers brush against my arm.

It’s a light touch, barely there, but I feel it everywhere.

Her breath catches, and for a second, she looks up at me—

The moment is broken when Lucy groans loudly and flops dramatically onto the grass.

“My tummy is angry!” she declares. “It needs food!”

Ivy lets out a soft laugh, stepping back from me—too quickly, if you ask me.

“Oh no,” she says, crouching beside Lucy. “That sounds serious. What does it need? Toast? Cereal?”

Lucy shakes her head very solemnly. “Something cold.”

Ivy hums, pretending to think. “Well, lucky for you, I bought ice lollies yesterday in town.”

Lucy’s eyes widen with joy. “Can I have one now?”

Ivy looks at me, eyebrows raised. “What do you think, Dad? Ice lollies before lunch?”

Lucy turns to me, clasping her hands dramatically. “Pleeeease?”

I sigh, knowing I’ve already lost this battle.

“Fine,” I give in. “But only one.”

Lucy cheers, already sprinting toward the house, yelling, “I want the red one!”

Ivy grins as she follows her, tossing a look over her shoulder. “How about you?”

I exhale. “Nah, I’ll stay out here a bit longer. Finish up properly.”

She shrugs, still smiling. “Suit yourself.”

Then she disappears inside, leaving me standing in the middle of the field, very much not as relaxed as I was five minutes ago.

I inhale deeply, shifting into a slow stretch, trying to get my head back into yoga mode .

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Find balance.

Find focus.

Find—

…Ivy.

Her smile, the way it tugs just slightly higher on the left. The way her eyes crinkle when she laughs. The way she rolls them at me constantly but never actually walks away.

I exhale sharply, moving into a side bend, determined to push the thoughts away.

Nope. Not doing this.

But it’s too late.

Because I’m not just thinking about her laugh.

I’m thinking about the way her T-shirt clung to her back when she stretched earlier. The curve of her hips in those leggings. The way her hair looked loose and messy this morning, like she’d just woken up and—

Nope.

I squeeze my eyes shut, shifting into Firefly Pose.

This is not yoga. This is not balance.

This is me in the middle of a field, thinking entirely inappropriate thoughts about my house guest. My friend. Who, if she knew where my mind had just been, would probably throw her ice lolly at my head.

I exhale slowly, but my heart is still pounding in a way that has nothing to do with exercise.

Maybe I should’ve said yes to that ice lolly.

Because I need to cool the hell down.