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See you after work?
She squinted for a moment before nodding and grinning.
I returned her grin and glanced at Kellan, who was turning back from the direction I’d been looking in with his own smile.
“Don’t say a word,” I said, pointing at him.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. So, what time should I be at Happy Acres tomorrow?”
“Noon.” Seemed reasonable enough. I knew Ian wouldn’t mind regardless, no matter how much shite he tossed my way.
And I was far more focused on tonight.
Ten
The minutes passed like hours between then and when I was due to see Ivy again.
How had I made it through a month without her?
Work. Always work. It was my savior and my crutch.
I ended up going with Kellan to his home recording studio after lunch, despite our plans to visit Happy Acres the next day. At best that would just be an inspiration sort of trip, since a farm wasn’t exactly equipped for serious work.
Or serious anything, except perhaps picking wild, growing things.
Kellan seemed excited to meet Ian, which was a bit of a surprise. But Ian was an up and comer on the rock scene who had already been making waves, so maybe it wasn’t so shocking. Kellan had his ear to the ground and obviously had an open mind when it came to exploring the possibilities.
Seemed like that was a trait I needed to acquire too. When I was with Ivy, it had seemed easier somehow.
Kellan and I made our way through the song we’d worked on last month, hammering out lyrics and melodies and arrangements. When that one seemed to be coming together, we shifted into a second one that, to me, would work better as a duet. And not with me, although I’d seen the light of interest in Kellan’s eyes.
The guy was like a damn sponge. Eager to try anything I suggested.
In this case, I suggested we call it a day. If he wanted a duet partner, well, then, we’d just see if Ian had a gap in his schedule. Ian’s pipes were as pretty as the rest of him, and I was no singer.
Maggie made more scones for me, and I filled my pockets with them like the beggar she’d turned me into. I even held Wolf, who was in much finer form than the last time I’d seen him.
He also tried to rip out a hank of my hair, but I was assured that was because he liked the pretty copper penny color of it.
His mother was probably a liar, but she was very sweet.
I didn’t leave until shortly before eight, which was when Ivy had requested I meet her at the diner. By then, scones were inadequate to fill my belly, no matter how delicious they were, but I bypassed the offer of dinner in case Ivy was hungry.
It was almost easy for me to find my way back to Crescent Cove now. The roads were just as winding and lacking in appreciable landmarks, but I was beginning to find my way around. The lack of snow didn’t hurt either.
I parked down the block from the diner, slipping into the last available spot. It offered me a gorgeous view of the lake and the gazebo strung up with fairy lights that twinkled in the darkness. Sunset came later this time of year, and it seemed as if half the town was out and about. Coming and going in and out of pubs and restaurants, wandering through little shops while carrying even tinier shopping bags. Most were in groups or couples.
Normally, I didn’t notice stuff like that, but this was a place for families. Between the town itself and spending time with Kellan, Maggie, and Wolf, I was paying attention to things I usually did not.
Then there was Ivy, who made me pay attention as well.
I hadn’t had a relationship in years. Didn’t know how to have one, truthfully. What had happened with Darla had soured me on them.
And how.
Not that Ivy and I were in true dating territory. But I wasn’t a dummy. Repeats meant it mattered.
The scent of steak on the grill wafted toward me as I walked past a surf and turf restaurant and down the block to the diner. Passersby smiled at me, and without thinking, I smiled back.
