Three Blissful Days, page 14
Ivy shook her head. “No. That’s the problem. Nothing’s happened, but I really like her. She’s beautiful, and fun, and just easy to be around.”
“So, I thought you and Kendall agreed to fake this whole relationship thing.”
“We did—we are. We were watching a movie, and she fell asleep.” Ivy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I put her in my bed, and I slept on the couch.”
Susan widened her eyes. “That sounds cozy.”
“It was. That’s the problem. I think I might be falling for her.”
“Whoa.” Susan dragged out the word. “Since when?”
“I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but last night we had dinner with my folks, and then she went with me to the wildlife rescue.”
“She met Shauna?” Susan didn’t wait for an answer before pelting her with the next question. “What’d she think about her?”
“Yeah.” Ivy sighed. “She convinced her to volunteer while she’s here, if she gets the landscaping contract. I hate to say it, but I felt a little jealous.”
“Wow.” Susan said excitedly. “Who knew it would only take a couple of days to hook you.”
“I know, I know. I’ve been trying to talk myself out of it. This whole relationship is supposed to be fake, and if Kendall gets the contract, she’ll kind of be my coworker. We have that no-dating policy at work, and, besides, she just got out of a long relationship with Cassie.”
“Is that why you snuck out early and left her your truck to drive?”
“Yes. She fell asleep on me last night. I don’t think I could handle being alone in the truck with her this morning. I’m not confident that I wouldn’t spill my feelings to her. That would probably scare her off, and we agreed to no touching or kissing unless someone was watching.”
“Well, that kiss I witnessed looked like more than something in a contract. Has Kendall given any signs she might feel the same way?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “I caught her looking at me across the table a couple of times last night, but I’m not very good at reading whether her actions are real or for show.” She sighed.
“And after dinner she fixed my coffee exactly how I like it without me asking. I don’t even recall telling her how I take it.”
“That’s something, though.”
“Or she just paid attention and was simply being nice. Kendall’s nice to everyone.”
“Not that nice. I bet she doesn’t memorize everyone’s coffee order.” Susan frowned. “She hasn’t brought me any.”
“Even if she does feel something, we have an agreement, and I don’t think I should break it. Plus, we could be working together.”
“Agreements get broken. Policies change. Jobs change. Feelings like you’re having don’t come around often for you.”
“What if I’m misreading everything and make a fool of myself?”
Susan reached for Ivy’s hand. “Then at least you’ll know. Isn’t knowing better than wondering for a week, month, or year?”
Ivy chuckled. “When did you get so wise?”
Susan smiled as she put the SUV in Park. “Around the same time you got so scared of taking chances. This isn’t like you, Ivy.”
Ivy let out a breath. “You’re right. It’s not.”
Susan turned to Ivy and raised her eyebrows. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“Talk to her.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m not sure when, and it won’t be a grand declaration. Just a conversation. See where it leads.”
“There’s the Ivy I know.” Susan slapped her on the leg.
“If this blows up in my face, I’m blaming you.”
Susan laughed. “Fair enough. But if it works out, I expect to be your matron of honor.” She pushed open her door.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Ivy rolled her eyes as she got out of the SUV. “Now, I need you to get me coffee just the way I like it.”
“You picked the wrong girl for that. She’s back home snuggled up in your sheets—alone.”
“Yeah. Don’t remind me.”
“Oh, and by the way, Daniel said he wants her to come back for another interview with her next week to meet the regional director.” Susan grinned. “So you’ll get the opportunity to feel this out a little more…maybe even feel her out a little more.” She laughed. “And that no-dating policy is really more of a guideline that’s been broken multiple times.”
The tingle in Ivy’s belly returned like a raging tsunami. Ivy had really wanted to crawl into bed with Kendall last night, even if only to hold her close, but she didn’t know what Kendall was feeling and certainly didn’t want to offend her if she wasn’t feeling the same way. Now she’d have the chance to find out.
Chapter Thirty-three
The alarm hadn’t gone off. That was Kendall’s first thought as consciousness crept in, her eyes still closed against the morning light filtering through the partially drawn curtains. Kendall reached out, finding only empty sheets. The bed felt too spacious, too cool on the left side where Ivy’s warmth should be. Wait—how did she get into Ivy’s bed? The last she remembered they were on the couch. She bolted up and rubbed her eyes. “I fell asleep on Ivy.”
She opened her eyes, squinting against the brightness. No impression on the pillow remained—no sign at all that Ivy had slept next to her. Disappointment set in as she remembered the evening. She’d squandered a perfect opportunity by falling asleep, though it was partly Ivy’s fault for picking the slowest-paced movie ever.
“Ivy?” she called, her voice still thick with sleep. Nothing but silence answered her.
Kendall pushed herself up, brushing tangled hair from her face. The digital clock on the nightstand read 9:17 a.m.—far later than either of them usually slept. Ivy would have already been up and at work for a couple of hours.
A yellow sticky note clung to Ivy’s pillow. Kendall peeled it off, recognizing the neat, precise handwriting immediately.
Emergency at work. Didn’t want to wake you. Leftover pizza in fridge if you’re hungry. Call you later. - Ivy
Kendall sighed, letting the note drop to her lap. Last night had been wonderful, and she’d hoped they’d be having breakfast together, enjoying the secrecy of their fabricated relationship over coffee and blueberry pancakes—Ivy’s specialty, as she recalled from their extensive conversations. She felt like she’d known Ivy for months, yet it had only been a few short days.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, toes curling against the cool hardwood floor. The cabin felt too quiet, too still. Kendall wrapped herself in Ivy’s robe that she found hanging on a hook on the bathroom door. She pressed the collar to her nose, inhaling the faint spicy scent of her cologne still lingering in the fabric.
After heading into the kitchen she found the coffee already made, kept warm in the thermal carafe. A clean mug sat beside it with another sticky note.
Made it strong, just how you like it.
Kendall knew the thoughtfulness should have been enough. But as she poured the coffee, watching the dark liquid swirl in the mug, disappointment settled heavy in her chest.
The same way it always did on mornings like these from her past, when Cassie’s side of the bed was empty, and the day stretched ahead without her. Though Ivy was so much more considerate than Cassie ever was.
Kendall carried her coffee to the window, looking out at the yard already buzzing with birds and wild bunnies. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass. How many more mornings would she wake up alone before she found her special someone? Could Ivy possibly be that person?
“I’m glad you called about lunch,” Ivy said as she ran her finger across the crease of the napkin in front of her. “Since I didn’t get to see you this morning. I mean, getting called in early and all.”
“I’m glad you were free. I know you’re usually very busy.” Kendall fidgeted with her napkin as the server placed their plates on the table. “I got an email from Daniel. They want to talk to me again next week.” She glanced at Ivy, who was already reaching for her fork, then at the array of condiment bottles between them—ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce, all nearly full.
“That’s awesome. I knew they’d want to see more of your plans. Are you planning to go home for a few days?”
“I think I might just stay, if that’s okay with you.” It would look weird if she left.
“It’s absolutely okay with me.” Ivy smiled widely and then hesitated for just a beat. “I mean, to keep up appearances and all.” She quickly veered her gaze to her burger. “This looks amazing,” she said, adding lettuce and tomato to her burger. “I’ve been craving this all morning.”
Kendall nodded, glancing down at her Denver omelet, but her attention drifted to the condiments after Ivy used them. After adding a line of ketchup to the top of her hash browns, almost unconsciously, she began rearranging them, grouping them closer to her side of the table.
“So, anyway,” Ivy said, “how’s the presentation coming?”
“Do you think they’d mind if we took these?” Kendall asked, ignoring Ivy’s question and gesturing to the condiment bottles.
Ivy paused mid-bite. “Took what?”
“The condiments.” Kendall tapped the ketchup bottle. “They’re practically full.”
Ivy’s brow furrowed. “You want to steal the ketchup?”
“It’s not stealing,” Kendall said quickly. “I mean, we’re paying for the meal, right? And they just throw these out when they’re almost empty anyway.” She laughed, trying to sound casual. “My parents always had us take them. It’s just practical.”
“I don’t think—”
“When I was little,” Kendall said, “we’d go to diners, and my dad would bring this big purse—well, it was my mom’s, but he carried it—and we’d all help collect the jelly packets and creamers. Once, my brother got an entire bottle of maple syrup into his pocket.” She smiled at the memory. “Mom would ask for extra sauce packets whenever we got takeout too. We had containers on our fridge door full of them.”
Ivy set down her burger. “That’s interesting.”
“It’s just being resourceful. My parents taught us not to waste anything.” She pointed to Ivy’s plate. “Like, see how you left that half of your burger? We never left anything. Mom would say, you either eat it all, or it comes home with us.”
“I’m not done eating.” An awkward silence fell between them as Ivy looked at the condiments, then at Kendall’s face. Her expression softened. “My grandfather used to save the honey butter packets from restaurants,” she said. “He had a whole drawer of them.”
“My parents…” Kendall stopped. Started again. “When I was growing up, we never left anything behind. At restaurants, my parents would take all the sugar packets, ketchup, everything. They grew up poor, and I guess old habits die hard.” She laughed quietly. “They’d make us clean our plates completely. Take home every leftover, even if it was just a spoonful. One time, my dad got into an argument with a waiter who tried to take my plate before I’d finished the last two green beans.”
Kendall looked up, expecting judgment, but found only understanding in Ivy’s eyes.
“My grandmother kept every rubber band that came into the house,” Ivy said. “She had a drawer full of them. Never bought one in her life, and my mom still washes and reuses Ziplock bags.” She picked up the remainder of her burger. “My dad used to turn the heat down so low in winter we could see our breath indoors.” She took a bite and wiped her mouth. “I think he still does that.”
Something loosened in Kendall’s chest. “I’ve been trying so hard to be normal.”
“Normal’s overrated,” Ivy said as she stood and grabbed a couple of to-go containers from the counter and scooped her remaining fries into one. “And wasteful, apparently.”
Later, after they got up from the table with packed to-go containers of leftovers carefully tucked inside a paper bag, Kendall stood, staring at the three condiment bottles lined up on her counter.
“Let me help you with those,” Ivy said as she picked them up and set them in the bag. “Just in case Noah and Taylor don’t have any.” She smiled and motioned Kendall in front of her and followed her into the lobby. “I have to get back to work, but I’m looking forward to hearing more about your parents when we have dinner tonight.”
Kendall warmed at the thought. “Me too. I’ll have Noah help me bring your truck up later this afternoon.” Ivy was turning out to be much more understanding than she expected.
“Don’t worry about that. Susan can drop me off,” Ivy said as she opened the door for her.
They exited through the front door of the lodge, and after Ivy walked Kendall to her Bronco, she watched Ivy go back into the lodge. Once she was out of sight, Kendall fired up the truck and then said, “Hey, Siri. Call Mom.”
“Calling Mom,” Siri said, and the phone rang through the speaker.
“Hi, Mom,” she said when her mother answered. “Just wanted to say thank you.”
“For what, honey?” her mother asked, clearly surprised.
Kendall looked at the bag of leftovers sitting on the seat next to her. “For teaching me that everything has value,” she said quietly. “Even the small things. Especially the small things.”
Chapter Thirty-four
Ivy set two cups of coffee and a handful of creamer containers on Susan’s desk before she dropped into the chair next to it. “You won’t believe what happened at lunch today,” she said, taking the lid off her coffee.
Susan looked up from her laptop. “What now?”
“So, I had lunch in the restaurant with Kendall, right? The burger was amazing, as usual.” She shifted in her seat. “She zoned in on my half-eaten burger and said I shouldn’t leave it.”
Susan scrunched her eyebrows together. “What was that about? Were you finished?”
“No. I was just taking my time, but then she told me that her parents had this strict rule about never leaving food on their plates. Either they ate everything or took it home. No exceptions.”
“Well, that makes sense. Food waste and all that. Kids don’t always finish their dinner,” Susan said with a shrug as she closed her laptop. “Did she explain it at all?”
She told me it’s just what her family always did. And apparently, when they dined out during her childhood, her parents specifically instructed all the kids to take every condiment from the table. Can you imagine?”
Susan’s eyebrows rose. “What, like they were stocking their home kitchen?” She opened a couple of creamer containers and poured them into her cup.
“Exactly. And she said when they’d get takeout, they’d specifically ask for extra packaged condiments too. Like, deliberately collecting them.”
“I mean, I get taking the occasional extra ketchup packet, but not much else.” Susan stirred her coffee slowly, watching the cream swirl into caramel spirals. “Otherwise, it gets put in a drawer, and I end up throwing it out anyway.”
“Combined with everything else? It seems like her parents were really intense about getting their money’s worth.”
“Maybe they went through some hard times? My grandparents who lived through the Depression had some similar habits.” She relaxed into her chair. “How’d you react?”
“I told her about my grandma and her rubber-band collection and how my mom reuses Ziplock bags.”
“Your grandma will never have to buy another rubber band for the rest of her life.” Susan laughed. “Did that lighten the mood?”
“A little, but she was pretty focused on taking the condiment bottles.”
“Did you stop her?” Susan took a sip of her coffee.
Ivy shook her head. “I put them in the bag for her. Who am I to mess with her childhood trauma, right?”
Susan smiled. “Good move. Could be more to that story than you realize.”
“True.” She sighed. “I really like her, and I’m not sure what to think about the whole situation.”
“I’m surprised this hasn’t come up before.” Susan said skeptically. “Think she’s been hiding it from you?”
Ivy pulled her eyebrows together. “I guess I could’ve missed it, but I haven’t seen her take any before.”
“At least she’s being honest with you.” Susan shrugged. “Better to find out now and deal with it early, right?”
“Right.” Ivy nodded slowly, thinking about their dinner dates. Specifically, dinner at her parents’. Nothing unusual there at all. Maybe the rules were different when eating at someone’s house.
“Well, you’ll be glad to know that June has moved on.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Susan nodded. “Seems there’s a new waitress at that little bar in town, and she just happens to like girls.”
“Good,” Ivy said resolutely. “You know I didn’t want to hurt her, but I just couldn’t date someone that young.”
“Plus, you already had something going with Kendall.” Susan winked and picked up her cup. “If I’d known how adamant you were about the age gap, I wouldn’t have encouraged you to see June.”
“Is that what blindsiding someone with a setup is called now? Encouragement?” The woman had been relentless.
“Ha.” Susan laughed. “I guess I did get a little overzealous, but it all worked out in the end, right?”
Chapter Thirty-five
After Kendall exited the Uber, she added the tip for the driver on the app in her phone. She wasn’t comfortable driving Ivy’s truck, it was too big, so she’d left it at the cabin. Plus, she needed to have her own transportation from Ivy’s place tonight. As Kendall opened the door and entered the living room, Taylor was coming out of the bedroom with Noah trailing her. “The way you worry about her is unhealthy. She’s a grown woman and can stay where and with anyone she wants.” Taylor glanced at her as she passed and went to the door.
Uh-oh. Bad timing for sure, Kendall thought.
Noah stopped short when he saw her. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.”
