Page 23 of Summer Nights

Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but I turned away. "Dalton and Brady are waiting for us."

"Of course," she said, but I heard the irritation in her voice.

If I'd asked for a date or quality time together, she would have said no. But because I mentioned our physical chemistry, she was open to hearing me out.

I took my time, looking through the house and then went outside to tell the guys that there weren't any issues we couldn't handle. This was the perfect house for Dalton. He could grow into it, and we'd ensure it was safe for his baby.

I wanted him settled before the baby came. Oakley was creating drama, and I was hoping if Dalton took a stand on his living situation, she'd have to back off.

I went inside with Brady while Dalton talked money with Ivy. I fiddled with the kitchen faucet, unable to stop checking out Ivy through the window. "Everything okay between you and Hazel?" I asked Brady.

"I need to talk to her and clear the air after what happened at our parents'.'"

I looked over my shoulder at him. I'd heard Dad confronted him about the buzz that he'd contributed money to the library to support Hazel's after-school project. "You haven't done that yet?"

"I never said I was an expert at relationships."

"Ivy said there's an article online about the library and how a local construction company is funding money there because of a certain fiancée."

"That's a mischaracterization of the situation. One of the reporters who came to the library didn't want to talk about how good the program was, they wanted to find some dirt."

"Dad's going to be even more mad. But what I don't understand is why anyone would care."

"I think it has something to do with the article that was in Elena's magazine and the poll that went viral about us being the most eligible bachelors on the island. Our names were in the news before."

Brady groaned. "Dad hates negative publicity."

I turned off the water, satisfied the faucet was working properly. I took the opportunity to sneak one more look at Ivy, who was seated at a small table with Dalton looking over something on her phone, probably comps. I turned to face Brady. I needed to focus on something besides Ivy. "Do you know if Hazel's seen it?"

Brady ran a hand through his hair. "I haven't really seen or talked to her since the dinner at Mom and Dad's."

I frowned. "Didn't she walk out? Mom said something about that."

"Yeah, and then Dalton showed up, and we were preoccupied with him."

"You should probably talk to her about the article and see if it's going to be a problem for the library. I'd hate to see her program cancelled over something like this." The entire situation seemed petty. Who cared who donated the money as long as the program was helpful to the community?

"Is it wrong to support causes you believe in when your fiancée or best friend is the leader of the program?" Brady's voice was laced with irritation.

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. "I don't know. But it seems like the news likes to tear people down, not lift them up."

Brady's face screwed up. "I hate this."

"You can go if you need to. Ivy's got this part."

"You don't think Dalton needs me here?"

"He's going to have to start standing on his own two feet here soon. We can't be with him every step of the way, and I think he's getting that. He'll rise to the occasion."

"If you're sure—" Brady began.

I waved a hand at him. "I've got this. Go."

Brady didn't need any more encouragement. Once he was gone, I looked out the window again where Ivy and Dalton had their heads close together, probably figuring out the perfect offer for this house.

I felt a pang of something. It felt a little like jealousy. Dalton was having a baby and buying a house. He was making steps to settle down.

I owned a house, but I wasn't settled. I was engaged in a fling of sorts with Ivy. It felt amazing, but if there was no endgame, then what was the point? Should I be looking for someone who could be a long-term girlfriend, and maybe even a wife one day? Is that what I wanted?

---