Page 15 of The Christmas Gift

“Would you believe he’s practically my boss?” This was one of those times Ivy needed a drink.

“No!”

“Oh yes. It gets worse.” Ivy pinched the bridge between her eyes. “He lives in your building, and the man has no intention of letting me raise the baby alone.”

“You’ve been to his place?” Blair gaped.

She also ran like a coward the moment she heard the shower running.“That’s beside the point.” Ivy smoothed the wrinkles in her dress.

Blair smirked.

“He’s not listening, has no intention of following my rules.” The annoying man was making a few rules of his own as well.

“That’s a love story if I ever heard one.”

Ivy rolled her eyes when Blair stifled a giggle behind her hand. It was just like her friend to be thinking of stories.

“Seriously, though, if he wasn’t freaked out by your news, I say give him a chance.”

“Iamonly going to be in town until Christmas.”

“That’s plenty of time to see how compatible you are.” Blair wiggled her brows.

“You’re not helping.” The image of Cor in the shower had her clenching her legs.

She slumped against the chair, hugging one of the cushions. Since meeting Cor, her world had been turned upside down. He made her long for the absent things from her childhood. Her parents were happily married, but they were more devoted to their happiness rather than Ivy’s. She didn’t want that for her baby. Their child shouldn’t have to choose between them.

But, what if Cor became resentful?Ivy squeezed the pillow a little tighter.

With any luck, he would realize he valued his freedom and lifestyle far too much to raise a child. Then, she wouldn’t have to see the resentment in his eyes the way she’d seen it in her parents each time they looked at her, the child that was more responsibility than they’d bargained for.

One-night affairs were the perfect antidote for relationships because deep down, Ivy knew if she ever fell in love it would be forever. The thought of her husband not returning her love would be unbearable or worse, not truly loving any child they had.

“He wants me to redecorate his place.”

“Wow. That’s huge.”

Also very permanent.

“He sounds serious to me, Ivy. I think he’s playing for keeps.”

What was she going to do about Cor?

* * *

Saturday

Cor

Cor bracedthe arched column separating the kitchen from the open living space as the movers took every stitch of furniture—except for those in his home office—to be donated. He didn’t stay out of the mover’s path for fear of changing his mind. The opposite was true. He wanted them to hurry so he could get on with moving Ivy in.

When he’d exited the shower after learning he was going to be a father only to find Ivy gone, he’d been disappointed. But it made him determined to be an equal participant in raising their child. More than that, he wanted to be an equal partner with Ivy.

At first, he’d thought small changes were best to not overwhelm her, but now he knew he had to immerse her in what he hoped was their future. Give over control of the home he intended them to raise their child in. Her personality required it. Given the time he had to convince her to stay in Bourbon, drastic changes were the only way to prove to Ivy she wasn’t a thoughtless addition or something he desired for the moment. She was going to be rooted in every aspect of his life. With the furniture gone, he was betting she’d make his home theirs.

Opening the box of paper cups on the kitchen counter, he took one out, filling it with tap water. How was he going to survive until the start of the workweek? That was too long a wait to see her again. Come Monday, he’d find out where she was staying.

“Wow,” Wren’s voice roared over the sound of the glass coffee table being bubble wrapped and taped. “Cor! What the hell, bro?”

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