Page 28 of The Christmas Gift

“Does he check all the boxes?” Blair winked.

“If by boxes you mean getting Ivy’s beverage each morning, he is consistent.” Sylvia handed her the Gingerbread Crème.

The smell of cinnamon, topped with vanilla from the syrups filled her nose. Ivy took a tentative sip of the hot drink. “He does check the boxes,” she said after a generous sip. “But I don’t know if I’m ready. What if I’m no good at relationships?”

“You are not your parents,” Blair said.

“But—”

“No buts.” Alayna snipped Ivy’s doubts. “Do the love check. Reassess how you feel. If you’re still into him, it’s time to compromise.”

“The love check?” Ivy laughed nervously.

“Do you still like being around Cor after he’s done something dumb?” Alayna asked. “Do you dig his farts?”

They laughed. Both ladies had a point. It was time she stopped living in the past. Although she had her doubts, and was still a little skeptical, he’d proven stead-fast. It was her turn to meet him halfway.

“Hey ladies,” the photographer among them shouted from the middle of the room. “Can I get a pic to add to another fun year in Bourbon?”

Within minutes, the women from the condo building, all close friends, huddled in front of the counter. Everyone shouted Bourbon just as the camera flashed.

* * *

Cor

Cor stoodin front of the restaurant waiting for the valet to bring his car. Dinner was a success, ending with plans to continue orders for the Eros line right through Valentine’s day. Pride swelled his chest. They had worked damn hard to attract new clients to the line. Not only was the company working to ensure Garland Inc. wasn’t one-dimensional in what they considered sexy, but they were also proud to shy away from traditional lingerie conventions.

Although dinner was the company’s way of celebrating, he wanted to be home with Ivy. Throughout dinner, he had thought of all the ways of celebrating privately, but his dad had ducked out early, leaving him to entertain Jayce and Krista. No doubt the old man had a date.

“There you are,” Krista said, coming to stand beside him.

She’d sat so close during dinner, Cor swore her perfume had seeped into his jacket. He resisted the urge to sniff his sleeve.

Cor frowned as Krista ran her hand along his shoulder, her fingers circling his arm. He’d laughed when she flirted in the past, never paying her any mind because the teasing had always been in the company of others. This was different. Only the two of them waited for the valet. Tension made him stiff .

“I hoped you’d join me for a nightcap.”

No offense to Krista, but she wasn’t his type. He’d discover the woman likely sleeping in his bed was exactly what he craved. Ivy’s type A personality was his kink.

“I’m flattered, but I’ll have to pass.” Cor turned enough for her hand to drop to her side. “I’m sure my girl’s waiting for me to get home.”

“Oh!” She startled, brows arching. “I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”

He wasn’t surprised. In the three years he knew Krista, she dismissed most things that didn’t suit her.

“I am.” The valet tossed his car keys and Cor caught them. “With any luck, she’ll agree to more than being my girlfriend.” He slid into the car.

Over the past week, he’d been thinking of asking Ivy for more than what she’d given him so far, but how did he ask for permanence…a deeper commitment when she had misgivings about him changing his mind.

Checking his phone, he noticed she didn’t reply to his text. His chest tightened uncomfortably. Perhaps his endearment surprised her or because she didn’t feel the same, she didn’t know to reply.

Before he’d left for dinner, what was meant as a see-you-later kiss had turned into so much more. It wasn’t that it was sexual either, although his dick had throbbed. Their embrace had been intimate—each swipe of her tongue atoned to his body, the twirl of her fingers at his nape were meant to cradle him in comfort. For the first time in a while, Cor felt blissfully content. In that instant, he knew he wanted Ivy for the rest of his life. He was in love with her. Love was a crazy tangle of emotions he’d never felt before.

Telling her how he felt via text was meant to not crowd her, but to lift any awkward pressure. Perhaps his intent had worked too well. Maybe Ivy had read his message, digested his words, decided she couldn’t reciprocate. Yet, he couldn't ignore being hurt by her lack of response. He wasn’t expecting a repetition of the words. Cor would have settled for an acknowledgment.

Sending Ivy another text saying he was on his way home, Cor placed the phone in the cup holder, then pulled onto the road that would take him home. There was the slim possibility Ivy had ended her night at Blair’s. If the two had spent the night catching up, that would explain her lack of response.

Deep inside, Cor wasn’t sure Ivy would remain in Bourbon after the project was over. The thought of being a part-time dad, not being there for the little moments, or building soapbox cars with his child made his eyes sting.

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