Page 78 of Sliding Into Love
“Don’t you mind-trick me, you…you mind-tricker.” Ivy sighed at the poor insult.
He chuckled in her ear, the low sound sending sparks down her spine. Lower.
“Seriously, Ivy. Don’t ever feel like you’re not good enough. It’s how I’ve felt all my life until…” he stopped mid-sentence.
And she thought she knew what he meant, but she needed to hear him say it.
“Until…?” she pressed.
“Until you,” he said simply.
Her eyes burned with unshed tears.
“Thank you for that,” she said, her voice sounding watery. “Do I still get pizza and orgasms?”
“Anything for you, sweetheart,” he rumbled.
God, she loved when he called her sweetheart.
“Sorry, I’m— “
But he stopped her.
“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted. “I get it. But I’ve got to go. I’m hiding in the bathroom, and we’re supposed to be meditating and manifesting, whatever the hell that means. Harkness is…something else.”
“Okay. Think about me while you meditate.”
“I was.”
To Jase’s irritation,they skipped the pregame warmup, but Ivy didn’t think Janna would last through thatandthe game. A sweet, white-haired man with high-waisted khaki shorts, high white socks, and black Velcro-closure shoes led them to their seats. Ivy wanted to hug him. When the man announced they’d arrived at their seats, they were greeted by Laura, who managed to look quite regal in jeans and an expensive-looking red tee.
“Hi,” Ivy said shyly.
Laura seemed almost as uncomfortable as Ivy; her hand trembled when they shook.
Jase had brought a pair of Lily’s birdwatching binoculars, and even though their seats were on the front row directly behind home plate, he had them trained on the players.
Laura nudged Ivy with her elbow.
“Ethan was just like him. He lived and breathed baseball. He’d bring his program to every game and write down every single hit and pitch.”
Ivy caught Jase listening. He didn't look their way, but he’dlovebeing compared to Ethan.
“Jase only recently discovered baseball, but he’s already so into it. I’m going to check out the rec center teams for him for next season,” Ivy offered.
He beamed at her from his seat.
Janna, feeling left out of the conversation, plopped down beside Laura, a blue ice pop dripping in her hand.
“Queen Laura?” she said.
Laura looked bewildered to be addressed so. “Yes, Janna?”
“Are you Ethan’s mommy?”
“I am.”
“I like Ethan. Do you know why he’s so sad?”
