Page 67 of Summer Nights

"I'll leave you to it," I said as I backed out of the room, my mind already filtering through the images of her undressing and stepping into the shower.

In the kitchen, I heard the water come on. I cleaned up our snack and opened the freezer door to look for something to cook.

When I found myself staring at the items in the freezer, not seeing anything but a vision of Ivy naked in the shower, I grabbed the hamburger patties and took them outside to the grill. Out here, I wouldn't be fantasizing about my new roommate.

I couldn't hear the shower, but I wasn't able to shut my brain off. I knew what she looked like naked, and I'd memorized every gasp and moan she'd ever made. I wouldn't be able to erase that from my memory banks.

I thought her living with me would be a temptation for her, but I hadn't thought it through. This was harder for me. I wanted to give her space and let her come to me, but I wasn't sure how long I could hold back from making a move.

I placed the patties on the grill, trying to focus on what else I could serve for dinner. While the patties heated, I went inside to see what I had for a side dish. I'd made some pasta yesterday, so I pulled that out and grabbed cucumbers and tomatoes to add to it. I cut everything up and tossed Italian dressing into the pasta, making a cold salad.

The meal wouldn't win any culinary awards, but it would taste good after a long, hard day. By the time Ivy came downstairs, the burgers and pasta salad were finished and on the table outside. She wore a T-shirt and soft shorts with her hair piled on top of her head again. She hadn't bothered to dry her hair. Technically, there was nothing sexy about her look, but I wanted to kiss her anyway.

She was tempting. Living together wouldn't quell my desire for her anytime soon. "Hungry?"

"Always," she said with a smile as she sat at the table, grabbing a bun and a patty from the platter. "I can't believe you had enough time to make dinner."

I shrugged. "I'd already cooked the pasta, and the burgers take no time at all."

She smiled softly. "I'm going to get spoiled if you keep cooking for me."

I sat across from her, wishing I could be closer. But the table was a nice barrier for my thoughts. "You're pregnant. Ensuring you're fed is the least I can do for you."

Ivy smiled wide, and for once, it didn't look practiced or forced. She was relaxed. I wanted to see that look on her more often. Here, she didn't have to be polished Ivy, the professional. She could be herself.

"Do you want to go for a walk on the beach after dinner?"

Ivy's eyes sparkled. "That would be lovely."

"You might as well enjoy the perks of living so close to the water while you're here." I hadn't intended to mention the temporary nature of our arrangement. I didn't want to remind her that this would come to an end, especially when I didn't want it to.

We finished eating, then cleaned up. We took off our shoes and walked down the path to the beach, heading to the right of my house. We walked in silence for a bit, the breeze a welcome relief to the heat of the day.

Ivy turned her face to the water. "I never get tired of this view."

"Me either," I murmured, but I was talking about her.

I was going to have to take advantage of her living under my roof. I didn't have much time before the baby was here to convince her I was the real deal.

Whether she'd believe me was another thing.

Chapter Seventeen

Ivy

On Sunday morning, we went to my mother's house, since I missed my afternoon date with my siblings for move-in day. I was nervous about what she'd say about my pregnancy.

I knocked, then walked inside. Mom had made sandwiches, which were arranged on a platter in the middle of the nicked kitchen table.

Rae and Duncan were fighting from their spot on the bench. "I want to play video games first."

"You got to play first last time," Duncan shot back.

"You two, settle down. Your sister is here."

"I brought Cooper with me too."

"Can we play basketball?" Duncan asked as Cooper sat next to him.

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