Page 15 of Summer Nights

"Uh-huh."

"That's surprising." I would have expected her to have a house on the beach. She should have amassed enough to buy one by now.

She tipped her head to the side. "Why is that?"

"I took you for a beach-house girl."

"Maybe one day," Ivy said quietly.

"Why not now?"

She shifted on her feet. "I have big saving and investing goals."

"A girl who likes to talk money. I love it," I said before I could censor my words. She wasn't supposed to know that I admired her, that I was curious about who she was as a person.

"Well, when you come from nothing, you become obsessive about having money." Then she sucked in a breath as if she hadn't meant to reveal that much.

"You deserve to treat yourself too." I wondered if she was scared to spend money, worried she'd end up back where she started.

She chewed her lip. "I have to be smart about money."

"I'm sure you are," I said without any reservations. She'd always struck me as a responsible woman who took care of those around her, and seeing her with her siblings only reinforced that impression. "You get to enjoy your money too, you know."

She raised a brow. "Who says I'm not? I have a nice car and expensive clothes."

"You seem like the kind of woman who'd enjoy coming home to the view of the ocean."

She tilted her head to the side. "Speaking of which, are you enjoying yours?"

Ivy had helped me purchase my home a few years ago, shortly after Shepard moved into our grandmother's house. The only problem with the house was that it was empty when I came home. I hadn't bothered to get a dog since I was gone for so many hours a day. "It's great."

"Good. I'm glad."

I wanted to ask more questions about her living situation, but she'd effectively diverted the conversation to me. I'd have to pay attention and see how often she did that. Was she an expert at diversion tactics? Did she not want anyone to know the real Ivy?

She looked around the bathroom. "Did you notice anything?”

"Not this time." It was a newer build, so I wasn't expecting to find anything too concerning.

"I appreciate you helping me out."

I raised a brow. "You worked a sweet deal with my father, apparently."

Ivy grinned. "My clients are grateful when you find something, and it saves them money.”

"My dad’s always looking to boost the company's reputation and continuing to build our client base.”

"I'm happy to help in any way I can. When a buyer asks for a contractor, I always refer them to you."

Ivy was in full professional mode now, as if we hadn't just fucked against the front door.

"If that's all, I'll head out." I pulled open the door, not wanting to give her an opening to bring up the state of our relationship. I'd rather leave it as it was.

She held the door open for me, and I wanted more than anything to push her back inside and go again. "Thanks again, Cooper."

I let out a breath as I headed toward my truck. I wasn't sure how long I'd get away with fucking Ivy in the houses we were tasked with inspecting, but I intended to enjoy every minute of it. I just had to remember that Ivy wasn't wired for more, and she could shut it down at any minute.

I almost expected to get a text or a phone call to that effect all week. Maybe she was happy to enjoy the physical relationship and ignore the rest.

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