Page 85 of The Plus One Pact

Immediately, Daniel looks to Cynthia.

Immediately, the air in the room gets stale. Too hot.

There's something between them. Something they haven't discussed. Something they need to discuss.

"It's normal," Mom says. "It's a major commitment. And it's a big to-do."

But Cynthia still shrinks back. "I, uh… excuse me. I'm going to get some air." She stands and moves to the backyard.

Daniel watches her. "Let me talk to her."

Mom shakes her head. "Give her a minute. Then talk to her. It is normal, mi vito. Not everyone is as steady as you."

He nods of course, of course, but it doesn't wipe away the worry from his expression.

"Let's take a break," Mom says. "Have some free time. Pick up after dinner. In fact, Daniel, let's take a walk. Talk a little."

Daniel raises a brow. Is she really offering us alone time in her house?

But that is part of intimacy.

Sex.

Maybe she is.

And he should know better. We're Latin. We don't need to pretend sex doesn't exist the way Americans do.

"Sure." He stands and follows her to the kitchen. "We can walk down to the beach."

She nods. "After the walk, I'll send Romeo and Ivy to the beach. So, you and Cynthia get some time to yourselves."

But that only makes him frown.

Are they having a sex problem?

But he was so flirty earlier. Or is that an overcorrection?

I have no idea what to think. It's hard to imagine Daniel struggling with anything.

But I suppose, if I really do like Ivy, stranger things have happened.

I wait for them to move to the backyard, where they're going to tell Cynthia the plan (no doubt in nicer terms than hey, stay here as long as you want, but don't be surprised if you come inside and hear your soon to be brother-in-law coming inside).

Then I move a little closer to Ivy, and I fall back on to what I do know.

"So… how should we take advantage of our alone time?" I ask.

She smiles. "This game gave me an idea, actually." She smiles. "Secrets we can share."

"Oh?" I ask.

She nods. "I tell you one of my fantasies. Then you tell me one of yours. Then…"

"Then…"

She nods. "Should we meet upstairs? Or start here?"

"Upstairs," I say. "And in lingerie. To make it more fun."