Page 42 of Trust Fall
“Maybe she’ll surprise you, but you need to trust her enough to give her the chance to,” Lana said softly as she rubbed her hand up and down Cleo’s arm. “Now, even if you don’t get a coffee, goodness knows we’ve consumed enough of it this week to keep them all in a job, go see your girl and let those beautiful green eyes of hers you ogle so much stop this spiral.” Lana smiled at Cleo.
Cleo let out a huff of laughter, “Ok, I might just do that.”
“Good, if you remember, say hi from me, but I’m sure you’ll forget,” Lana chuckled, as they went their separate ways at the shop door.
Chapter 36
Ivy
“Did you think either of those would work for you? Now that you’ve walked the spaces?” Cleo asked her.
Ivy walked by her side, their hands linked as always. She took her time to think before replying to Cleo.
“Honestly? I’m just not sure either of them is right. I mean, they’re great spaces, plenty of square footage, the layout is close to what would be needed so not much work would need done tosync with the others. I’m not quite sold on either.” Ivy dropped Cleo’s hand and slid an arm around her back instead, Cleo lifted her arm and wrapped it around Ivy’s shoulder and pulled her to her side. “I’m sorry, I know you had to pull strings to get these viewings arranged.”
Cleo leaned over and kissed Ivy’s temple. “Don’t worry about it, honestly. You need to see the space in person to know whether it’s for you or not. You can’t get the feel for it from a web listing. I always tell my clients to view more than once before buying, so at least they know the bones are what they want to work with. If you knew after the first viewing that they’re not right, it just means that’s two fewer places to consider going forward.”
“Thank you for being so understanding, I just didn’t want to have wasted your time,” Ivy said, her fingers balling the side of Cleo’s coat in her grip.
Cleo stopped and reached her other hand up to turn Ivy’s face to hers, leaning in to kiss her she added, “any time spent with you, I’d never consider a waste.” Ivy melted, then melted some more as their lips met.
When the kiss ended, Ivy felt more relaxed than she had all afternoon. “Do you want to go anywhere first, or will we head back to mine and start making dinner?”
“It’s up to you, beautiful, how long will dinner take to make and how hungry are you?” Cleo checked.
The very loud groan that chose that moment to rumble from her belly caused Ivy to blush. “Yeah, maybe I’m a little peckish?” she said with a blush. A second louder groan made itself known.
“I think you’re a little more than peckish, let’s get you in the car and we’ll just head straight to yours,” Cleo laughed.
Cleo unlocked her black SUV and opened the door for Ivy. She had never thought she’d be the type of girl who liked that kind of thing. Turns out, she did. A lot.
“So chivalrous, thank you,” Ivy beamed at Cleo as she closed the door once Ivy was inside, before walking round to the driver’s side and getting in herself.
“You’re more than welcome,” Cleo said as she smiled at Ivy with such warmth, Ivy felt it emanate through her entire body.
Twenty minutes later, Ivy unlocked the door to her apartment and led them inside. She had spent the entire morning tidying and cleaning after she remembered how spotless Cleo’s house had been when she’d been there last weekend. They both took off their coats and shoes, and Ivy took Cleo’s hand as she led the way to her kitchen.
“I know I’m cooking dinner, but you have a choice: would you prefer chicken and pasta in a creamy white wine sauce, or chicken and noodles with stir fry veggies and a lime soy sauce?” Ivy took in the impressed look on Cleo’s face and couldn’t help but feel the pride in her chest at being able to impress this incredible woman.
“Wow, I think tonight the stir fry would be faster for the monster that’s taken up residence in your belly,” Cleo laughed as she leaned in to kiss Ivy briefly before asking, “What do you need me to do?”
“Wash hands, then can you get the sauce started while I get the chicken cooking? The recipe is in the book beside the knife block,” Ivy said.
“On it,” Cleo kissed her again before heading to the sink.
They made quick work of making the meal, and in fifteen minutes they were sitting down on the couch with large steaming hot bowls of food.
“This dish smells amazing,” Cleo said, softly inhaling the mixture of sweet and tangy scents before taking a mouthful, “and it tastes even better.”
Ivy blushed and smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
They ate in silence for most of their meal, both relenting to their need for food after a long afternoon of viewing properties. As they neared the bottom of their bowls, Ivy noticed they were both distracted, and she figured that Cleo must have noticed too.
“I—,”Ivy started.
“I—,” Cleo started, at the same time.
They both laughed nervously, before Cleo gently encouraged, “You first.”
