Page 55 of Summer Nights

"I can do that."

I pulled away from the curb, pleased she hadn't fought me on that. "Have you thought about moving since you're on the third floor and there's no elevator for the complex?"

Ivy sighed. "I don't want to spend money on a house right now either. I don't want to tie up my cash in case I need it for something. Daycare isn't cheap."

I glanced over at her, gaging her mood. "You can always move in with me."

Her nose pinched. "That's not a good idea."

"You could sell your condo and save money for a few months."

Ivy was quiet for so long I didn't think she was going to answer. Finally, she said, "That actually makes sense."

"It would allow me to help you for those late-night feedings or whatever you might need for the end of your pregnancy."

"I promise I'll think about it."

I was shocked she was even considering the idea. Maybe the security of money was more important to her than her desire to be seen as independent.

"If you want to leave, squeeze my hand or something."

Her lips twitched. "Maybe we can have a code word. Maybe something like banana."

I chuckled. "Yeah, no one will think it's weird if you say banana out of the blue, and then we say our goodbyes."

She grinned wider. "Not suspicious at all."

When we had exchanges like this, I felt closer to her. We shared this secret that no one else knew about. And we were the only ones who could navigate it.

I pulled up to my parents' house, where there were already a few Kingston Construction trucks parked.

Ivy wiped her hands on her dress. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."

I wanted to alleviate her concern. "No one will think less of you because you're pregnant. They're going to be happy for us. You'll see."

She blew out a breath. "Let's get this over with."

She reached for the door handle but then looked back at me to ask, "Were you planning on getting the door?"

"Yes, thank you."

Ivy's laugh followed me as I got out and rounded the hood of the truck. I opened the door and lent her my hand to assist her to the ground. "I should probably buy another vehicle for the baby. This one is tall and doesn't have a second row."

"I can take him in my SUV."

She'd taken to calling the baby him; I wondered if she instinctively knew he was a boy, or it was just easier than saying him or her. "I should have a family friendly car too."

"It's up to you."

We both needed to make changes in our lives for the baby. She was the one carrying the baby but both of our lives would be different.

On the porch, I didn't bother to knock, just turned the knob and opened the door.

Ivy's eyes were wide, and I interlaced her fingers with mine, tugging her inside. I followed the boisterous laughter to the kitchen where everyone was gathered except for my sister, Luna, who was spending the summer in Colorado.

The conversation died down as they saw us in the doorway.

Mom's gaze dropped to our joined hands, and I figured it was the time to make the announcement before everyone got the wrong idea about me and Ivy.

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