Page 76 of Summer Nights

"That place is divine. You wouldn't have any problem selling it."

I threw my head back and laughed. "Why would I want to sell it when it's fulfilling a dream of yours?" My new favorite goal in life: make this woman's dreams come true. Every single one.

Her lips quirked. "You're impossible."

I drew her close to me and kissed her temple. "But you love it."

She shook her head.

Shep walked into the room. "You two ready for something to eat? I can throw together some sandwiches."

Just then, Ivy's stomach rumbled. "I'm starved."

"Come to the kitchen when you're done," he said with a wink. "Don't get anything dirty." He turned to leave.

Ivy pulled away from me, and I let her go. I could be patient, showing her everything she was too blind to see. She had friends and family that cared about her. She had people that wanted to step up for her, but she wouldn't let them.

I just hoped she didn't convince herself that I was bad for her. I had a feeling once she made her mind up about something, it was almost impossible to change it.

We headed downstairs to the kitchen.

"What would you do in here?" Shep asked almost as soon as we walked in.

"I'd open up some walls. You're going to see the living room and that view of the ocean. It's very closed in and dark in here."

Shep nodded as he pulled out rolls and began adding cold chicken to them. "That's what I thought. I'm just always worried about changing the historical integrity of the house."

"I think in this case, you can keep the woodwork detail and the original furniture that is still in good shape in most of the rooms. Kinsley has an eye for staging if you want her to hunt down some items that would blend with the old."

Shep winced. "I'm trying to get her to help me. She's not too fond of me."

"I can talk to her if you want," Ivy offered.

I knew Kinsley had some issue with Shep, but I had a feeling this project was too enticing for her to pass up.

"I can convince her to help me. It's just a matter of time." Shep's tone was smooth and easy as if he hadn't ever met a challenge that he couldn't conquer.

We ate our sandwiches and chips on the patio on the back of the house. I'd been here a million times as a child, but I was seeing it differently through Ivy's eyes. She'd grown up in a trailer. Was this too ostentatious for her? Would she think we were spoiled rich kids?

We had everything we needed: money and love. We worked hard and earned everything we had. I didn't want anything to derail the progress I'd already made with her. I suspected a pullback was inevitable.

Chapter Nineteen

Ivy

After the tour of Shep's house, we hung out with my brother and sister at the park. Cooper tagged along with us to ice cream. Then he insisted on buying us dinner. I was exhausted by the time we got home and fell into bed without a bath.

The next day, we were supposed to go minigolfing, but I wasn't sure if he'd remember. I'd gotten used to believing that promises would be broken.

When I showered and went to the kitchen for breakfast, Cooper was already there, his hair damp as he manned the stove. "You want eggs and bacon?"

My stomach growled in response. "The baby does apparently."

Cooper grinned. "Happy to oblige."

A flush of something that felt akin to affection rolled through me. I sat on the stool and watched him work.

He managed to pour me coffee between checking the stove, cutting up avocados, and cooking toast.

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