Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
IVY
It’s been one hell of a week.
Lucky’s burned down.
My mom is officially the worst person in the world and destroyed my house and all my paintings.
I moved in with Xander, who is completely amazing and gives the best damn orgasms in the history of the world. He took me shopping so I could replace my clothes, but I wouldn’t let him buy them. No way, that’s too much. I can buy my own jeans and tops and underwear. Scrubs. Workout gear.
I needed just about everything.
And he wasn’t pleased that I wouldn’t let him spring for it.
So, he spoiled the shit out of my cat. He went full-on cat dad on me and bought Cally the coolest cat tower, tunnels to run through outside without her being able to get lost, new beds and toys, and an extra litter pan because this house is big, and we have multiple bathrooms, so why shouldn’t she?
He’s ridiculous, and adorable, and so damn sexy that I can hardly stand it.
And now, his family is here, and I might be about to have a panic attack.
“Oh my God, we’re so happy to see you,” Darby says as she rushes over to give me a hug, and suddenly the panic seems to be . . . gone.
Ava wiggles in between us.
“We were so worried after we heard about the fire,” Ava adds.
“Hey! No fair, you’re hugging without me,” I hear Harper say, and then I’m being squeezed tighter, and wow.
This is a really physically affectionate family.
Now I see why Xander never stops touching me.
“We didn’t have your number,” Darby says. “And we rectify that today. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
The chatter around the house has intensified since more people have shown up, and it kind of reminds me of working at the bar, and with this warm welcome, my nervous system levels out.
“I’m okay. Xander’s been, well. He’s great.”
All three girls pull back and stare at me, exchange looks, and then grin. All of them.
“Turns out, we should have just asked Xander for your number,” Harper says with a wink.
“Oh, we—”
“It’s written all over your face,” Ava says. “And we’re happy for you. And him, because you’re the cutest and it’s about time he pulled his head out of his ass.”
“I heard that,” Xander calls out.
“Wasn’t whispering!” Ava tosses back.
Xander has opened up accordion-style glass doors to the outside—I didn’t even know they did that—so there’s a fantastic indoor-outdoor flow and more space for everyone to spread out.
I even set up a little bar off the kitchen.
“Does anyone want a drink? I have a lot to work with here, and I also made fresh espresso for martinis.”
“Oh God, you’re speaking my language,” Ava says. “Espresso martini for me.”
We drift over to where I can mix the drinks, chatting away. Tucker and Xander are at the grill with their dad. Easton is holding Belle and chatting with Blake.
Harper glances at Ava and says, “Where’s Chad today?”
“He’s working on a case in Helena,” Ava replies as she eagerly accepts the glass I pass to her. “He’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.”
I notice that Darby and Harper share a look. I’ve gotten good at reading people, and it seems to me that Chad isn’t their favorite.
I’ll have to ask Xander about it later.
“You got engaged,” I say with excitement when I see the ring on Darby’s finger. “Aw, congratulations, friend.”
She grins and holds her hand up. “Thanks. It still doesn’t feel real, but the ring’s on my finger, so I guess that means it’s true.”
“It’s beautiful, and I’m so happy for you.” I pass her a martini. “How about you, Harper?”
“I definitely want a drink,” she says with a nod. “I’m not breastfeeding anymore, so hook me up.”
I grin and make her martini, and just as I’ve finished, I glance around and see that Xander is now holding Belle.
Oh my God.
“It’s hot, right?” Darby asks, as she follows my gaze. “These huge, muscled men holding that sweet little girl. It makes my ovaries ache.”
“It should be illegal,” I admit and have to pour myself a shot of vodka. I don’t drink much, but damn.
The girls laugh, and Xander looks our way, his eyes narrowing. He excuses himself from Tucker and walks over to me.
“Hey there, Red.”
“He calls her Red,” Harper whisper-shouts, making me press my lips together.
“Hi. That baby is gorgeous.”
He nods and kisses her sweet head. “I know. I’m obsessed with her. I’m also her favorite. Aren’t I, Bellie Boo?”
I chuckle and reach out to brush my fingers through her soft, wispy hair.
“Just like I’m your favorite,” Xander says to me, that charming smile firmly in place and his green eyes full of mischief. “Right?”
“I mean, you’re fine.”
Darby snorts.
“Come on, wildcat, you’re killing me here.”
“Wildcat,” Harper says to Ava, and now I can’t help but laugh.
“Ew,” Ava says. “I don’t want to know that Ivy’s a wildcat in the sheets.”
“And on her desk, and in the kitchen, and—” Xander says, but they all start to yell and shake their heads.
“Stop! No!” Darby cries.
“My ears! They’re bleeding,” Harper adds.
“I think I’m dying,” Ava says, and now I’m laughing so hard, and Belle joins me because we’re all being so goofy.
“You’re the sweetest thing,” I say to the baby, and Xander passes her over to me, and for a second, I freeze. “Uh, I’ve never held a baby.”
“Never?” Harper asks. “It’s time to start. You won’t break her.”
“Oh geez, I didn’t even think of that,” I mutter as I settle the tiny girl against my chest. “How old is she?”
“Almost four months old,” Ava says with a soft smile.
Belle’s watching me with wide blue eyes, and then she smiles up at me, completely toothless, and my heart melts into goo.
“She’s mine now,” I say and rock her back and forth. “You can stay with me. We’ll be besties. Deal?”
Belle just keeps smiling, so I assume it’s good with her.
“It’s too bad no one around here likes her,” Harper says between sips of her drink. “Poor thing.”
I laugh and look up at Xander, who’s watching me with the funniest look on his face.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Are you sure?”
He nods, and the doorbell rings. “Saved by the bell,” he mutters as he walks off to greet them.
“What did I miss?” I ask as I turn back to the others.
“You know how it made your panties explode to see your man with a baby?” Darby asks.
“Sure.”
“I think seeing you with Belle might have punched my brother in the balls,” Ava replies with a smug smile. “It’s kind of awesome. So, you and X, huh? I can totally see it.”
“It’s new,” I say softly and brush my lips over Belle’s head. “Like, really new. And moving fast because I’m living here now, thanks to my mom destroying my house.”
“Whoa,” Harper says with a frown. “This is news.”
“Also, moving fast isn’t bad,” Darby adds. “I’ve only been with Tucker for like six months, give or take, and we’re engaged. Sometimes, you just click with someone and it works.”
“We click,” I agree. “And yeah, my mom was staying at my place after the fire, and when I went to kick her out, she’d destroyed everything inside. So I’m staying here.”
Xander walks over with Indie at his side, and the whole house goes quiet for a heartbeat.
“This is not awkward,” Indie announces with a sassy grin. “I refuse. I’m just here to eat the food and gossip, and we can ignore everything else.”
“Hey, we’re down for food and gossip,” Easton says with a smile. “Glad you came.”
“He’s my favorite,” Indie decides, and we all laugh.
She’s going to be great.
Suddenly, Tucker’s standing in front of me, reaching for the baby.
“Gimme.”
“Fine, but I want her back later,” I inform him as he gently takes her out of my arms and snuggles her against his chest.
“Maybe.” Tucker winks at me and then walks away.
“I like Indie,” I say to Xander as he joins me again. The other girls have walked over to greet Indie, and I lean into Xander’s side when he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “How do you feel about having her here?”
“It’s good,” he replies softly. “She was nervous when I opened the door, and I told her it’s just food, and that seemed to help.”
“You’re a good big brother, and a good friend.”
He smiles at me and leans down so his lips are near my ear. “You’re sweet. Let’s disappear somewhere so I can fuck you so hard that you won’t walk right for a week.”
“Tempting, but no. Because with my luck, we’d get caught.”
“I don’t care.”
I bark out a laugh and push him away. “I care. But also, later, I expect you to do what you just promised. Along with other stuff.”
He waggles his eyebrows. “‘Other stuff’? Kinky.”
This man always makes me laugh. It’s one of my favorite things about him.
“Come on. Those ribs smell good.”