Page 73 of Recovering Ivy

“Has anyone ever told you you’re an over-the-top son of a bitch with security?” the Police Chief chuckled.

“A time or two.”

Jaxon and I went to my Rover and I impatiently waited for Goldsborough to get in his car to follow.

“Christ. How long does it take to get in a fucking vehicle?”

“I’m happy for you,” Jaxon said, ignoring my comment.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“Ivy.”

I contemplated his statement before I did something so uncharacteristic I couldn’t believe my own ears. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I never thought I could love a woman or merely being in someone’s presence could bring me so much peace. I’m going to marry her someday.”

I watched as Goldsborough pulled out of his parking spot, no longer thinking about Forester or his impending arrest. I was pondering how long I had to wait before I could ask Ivy to be my wife. Just as we’d pulled out onto the street, the answer came to me. I didn’t have to wait. I’d never been one to procrastinate when I wanted something. Ivy was no different. And if she had an issue with agreeing, I’d persuade her – one way or another.

26

Ivy

“I promise I won’t have a freak-out this time,” I joked as I joined Violet and Olivia in Jasmin’s living room.

It had been nearly eight-bliss-filled weeks since the argument in Zane’s living room. Eight weeks of living on cloud nine. Fifty-six days of loving Zane. He’d been true to his word and had been patient with me. When my insecurities bubbled to the surface, we worked through them. Together. He never allowed me to retreat or run. And in return he repeatedly told me, I calmed the ache in his soul. He smiled more, laughed more, he looked happy.

“Lunch date, take two.” Olivia laughed and gave me a hug.

“You didn’t freak out. You just didn’t let the big baboon walk all over you. Though I have to say, now that I’ve seen the way Zane is with you I kinda, almost, feel bad calling him an overgrown primate. Not really, but maybe a little. I mean, he still calls me Miss Loose Lips, so I get to return the favor and call him a hairy beast,” Violet told me.

“Well, he is a beast, thankfully not hairy. And there are parts of him that are overgrown, I’ll give you that,” I returned.

Jasmin made a gagging sound, triggering a round of laughter. “Gross. I get it, he’s hot. But he’s my brother-in-law and gross, just gross.” She looked around and with a conspiratory whisper added. “But those Parker – Lewis brothers got lucky in that department, didn’t they?”

“I’d say we got lucky,” I answered.

“You can say that again.”

“Say what again?” Linc asked, walking into the room.

“Nothing. You leaving now?” Jasmin asked.

“I’d say it’s not nothing the way your face is the shade of a beet.”

“Whatever. Don’t you need to go to the office?”

“I won’t be long, an hour tops. Goldsborough and the DA want to go over the evidence one more time.” Linc walked to Jasmin and planted a smoldering kiss on her lips. “Don’t have those babies until I get back.”

“Sheesh, we still have like three more weeks.”

“Ladies. Have a good lunch.” Linc ignored Jasmin’s grouch and walked to the door. “Please don’t let her do anything crazy.”

“Damn. We were planning on table dancing today!” Violet yelled at Linc’s back as he closed the door.

“Alright, now that’s he’s gone, what’s happening at the office? I swear, he won’t tell me anything.” Jasmin scooted back on the couch and tried to get comfortable.

She was adorable, not that I would tell her that. Even pregnant and the woman still scared the hell out of me. Over the last two months I’d heard story after story about how badass she was. But she looked like a Barbie doll with a huge stomach. I didn’t know skin could stretch like that.

“Nothing really. Colin is still back and forth to DC. I think Erin has a new call sign, Super-Pain-In-The-Ass. That’s been upgraded from Pain-In-The-Ass over the last week. She’s ditched her detail three times in seven days. The President is ready to go nuclear,” I told her.