Page 8 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
Chapter Three
Anthony
Ivy and I spend the rest of the day quietly, getting back on the rhythm of things. We go grocery shopping, with Bobbi keeping an eye on us, to make sure the fridge has the right food—fruit, yogurt, veggies. Although she says she doesn’t mind the bachelor fare, I do.
Ivy talks about her work projects—like she used to—and I sort of demur on the projects that I should’ve been working on but didn’t. It isn’t easy, though. The deep emotional connection we used to have is missing. Instead, what’s left is a fragile tendril that feels like it’s going to wither and die at any second. And I’ve got to nurture it if I want to fix my screw-up. Ivy won’t stay if she doesn’t feel anything for me anymore.
During dinner, I ask her about how she met Mother, needing to understand the circumstances better. “You said you ran into her in the lobby…?”
“Yeah,” Ivy says. “Although it wasn’t the first time I saw her.”
Fear squeezes my heart. Did Mother try to approach Ivy during our separation to make her dump me? “When was the first time?”
“At Sam’s funeral.”
I feel sucker-punched. Why in the world would Mother attend Sam’s funeral? “Did she say anything to you?”
“We didn’t speak to each other, and I didn’t know she was your mom.”
But Mother must’ve recognized Ivy. Why didn’t she say something to me or Ivy at the funeral? Or was Mother hoping to corner Ivy and turn her against me?
No. That doesn’t make sense. If that were the case, she wouldn’t have offered to help with the wedding.
What’s her game plan, then? Her feelings toward me haven’t changed. She treated me like a nonentity, while gifting Harry with motherly love. She has to be here to ruin what I have with Ivy. I just don’t know what her angle is, and that spikes my anxiety.
Mother, are you trying to destroy the sole happiness in my life? Eighteen years later, you still can’t let it go?
Ivy dabs at her mouth. The Mexican takeout we ordered was delicious, but messy. “I need to go to Julie’s.”
My immediate reaction is to get up abruptly, standing between her and the door. I catch myself before I grab her wrist to make sure she doesn’t leave. I don’t think I said or did anything to upset her since she came back this morning, so I’m not letting her go without a fight this time. I can’t go through the last two weeks again.
“Why?” I say tightly.
“I have to get my things.”
Her things? Relief leaves my shoulders sagging as I realize she didn’t bring her suitcase with her this morning. “Can’t you just send somebody else to do that?”
The last thing I want is her out of my sight…and especially at Julie’s. Julie isn’t too crazy about me. She might convince Ivy to stay, forget the crazy idea about working things out with me.
“I should go. It’ll be easiest,” she says.
I nod. “I’ll go with you.” Our bond is still too fragile. I can’t have Julie damage it, even inadvertently. I’m holding on to the chance Ivy gave me, and nothing’s going to snatch it out of my grip.
“It’s okay. Bobbi can come with me.”
Bobbi nods. “I don’t mind.”
“I insist.”
Ivy hesitates, then nods. “Okay. But I promise I’ll come back here whether you come with me or not.”
I shove my hands into my pockets, suddenly uncomfortable. “Am I that transparent?”
She shakes her head. “I just understand you better now.”
I breathe calmly. Better understanding is a good first step.
Bobbi looks at the keys clutched in my hand. “It’ll be easier if we take my car,” she says.
