Page 66 of Summer Nights

Hudson hovered by the island. "That's everything. We locked up her place."

"Thanks for helping today. I really appreciate it," I said to him as Ivy joined us.

She smiled at him. "It was nice not to hire movers this time."

I exchanged a look with Hudson. There was no way I'd let her hire movers when I had my brothers and their trucks. She wasn't used to having people near to her who could assist. She'd soon learn that our family always stepped in to help.

"We're going to need to come up with a plan for Dalton's place. Are you going to be able to help?" Hudson asked me.

I nodded, putting Ivy's mixer on the counter. It was heavy, and there was no room for it in the cabinets. "I'll make time."

Hudson shook his head. "You have a baby on the way too. You should be focused here."

I frowned. "I'm not leaving the work to everyone else."

Ivy watched the exchange with interest. "I don't want to interfere with what you already have going on. You won't even notice I'm here."

I gave her a look because I was positive; I was going to notice the woman who'd been the center of my fantasies living in my house. We couldn't keep our hands off each other. What would it be like when she was walking around in tiny sleep shorts and tank tops?

Ivy frowned. "Your family comes first."

"You are family now." I gestured toward her stomach, and she covered it with her hand.

"The baby is family. I'm just?—"

"You're family too," Hudson said firmly.

It was interesting because no one had ever said Oakley was part of our family. But then again, she'd done nothing but cause Dalton grief. She didn't come to family dinners, so we didn't know her well at all. Even when they were dating, Dalton kept her separate from us. Maybe because he knew she wasn't the one for him.

"If you need me to return the favor—" I said to him, knowing that Elena hadn't officially moved in with him yet.

He waved a hand in my direction. "Elena's worried about leaving her grandmother in her house alone. When she's ready to move in, I know you'll be there."

"Whenever you need me."

My brothers left, leaving us alone.

"You want something to eat?" I grabbed a water and set it in front of her.

"I'm always hungry." She twisted the cap and drank a long pull from it.

It wasn't quite dinner yet, so I arranged a plate of grapes, cheese, and crackers and set it in front of her.

We devoured the plate, and I made a mental note to whip something up for dinner.

When we were finished, Ivy said, "I'm hot and sweaty. I think I'm going to take a shower.

"You have everything you need?" I didn't want her to have to hunt for her things.

"I think so."

"There are fresh towels in the bathroom." I followed her to the hall bathroom that she'd be using. "If you need a soaking tub, you can use the master."

The thought of her stripping down and bathing in my tub was enticing.

"This should be fine," she said, looking over the small space.

It didn't seem right that she was getting the smaller room and unrenovated bath. But I hoped to convince her to switch or join me at some point. I was prepared to play the long game. I'd gotten this far. What were a few more weeks or months?

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