Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1)(68)

He looked both ways and pulled back out onto the      two-lane highway, leaving the gas station behind. We were soon gliding along the      curving road past gorgeous fall foliage. Soon the trees would be shrouded in      white, but right now they were a stunning blend of gold, red, and yellow.

We’d been driving two hours but it didn’t feel like      it. It was fun and easy being with him. We went from regaling each other with      childhood stories of Lila to discussing our classes and what we hoped to do with      ourselves after college. Hunter was excited when I told him I was considering      med school with my psychology degree. If I was going to help people with their      problems, having a degree in medicine might make that easier.

My phone buzzed from inside my bag. I dug around in      it on the floorboard, expecting another text from Em moaning about having to      spend the day shopping with her father’s new girlfriend, who was only five years      older than herself.

Only it wasn’t from Em.


Reece: I’m sorry

My thumb locked, poised over my phone. I hadn’t      expected to hear from him again. Or even see him. Not unless I just bumped into      him on the streets in a freak coincidence. But now he was here, reaching out to      me, pulling me back in.


Me: It’s ok

Reece: I was a jerk. I shouldn’t have told      you to go. I wanted you to stay

A smile played on my mouth.


Me: Understandable. Your dad just came down      on you

Reece: Well. Could have let you finish your      food at least

Me: You saved me from the stroke that was      sure 2 follow that meal

Reece: Wimp

Me: I don’t run a half marathon every morning      like you

Reece: But you’ll run with me

I paused again, thinking. He was asking if we were      going to see each other again. Inhaling, I typed.


Me: I thought we had seen the last of each      other?

Reece: Do you want to see the last of      me?

“Everything okay?”

I jerked at Hunter’s question, startled. I had      forgotten I was in the car with him. Forgotten he was even here. “Oh. Sorry.      Didn’t mean to be rude.” I typed off a quick reply.


Me: Gotta go. TTYS

Exhaling, I forced a bright smile and returned my      attention to Hunter, focusing on him and refusing to touch my phone again.

Thanksgiving with Gram brought back a flood of memories. I was hugged so      much and smiled so much my cheeks ached. All the residents of Chesterfield      Retirement Village were family to me. The place was home, even if      unorthodox.

At eight o’clock Thanksgiving night, still stuffed      from turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams, and all the other goodies      associated with the holiday, I borrowed Mrs. Lansky’s car from next door since      she hardly used it anymore and headed over to Lila’s house.

I didn’t even have a chance to push the doorbell      before the door was yanked open and Lila locked me in a suffocating embrace with      a happy squeal.

Pulling back, she sized me up, assessing me from      head to toe. “Damn, you look good! You highlighted your hair. I love it!”

She pulled me into the impressive foyer with its      vaulted ceiling. Linking arms with me, she led me into the kitchen, whispering      into my ear even though no one was around to overhear. “Whatever you’re doing      with Hunter, it’s working. He hasn’t stopped asking me when you’re getting      here.”

“Really,” I murmured, heat washing up my neck.

“Uh-huh. He’s waiting in the kitchen.”

Voices carried from that room, and I knew what I      would find before I entered—Lila’s parents and grandparents intent over a      Monopoly board. Hunter stood at the island, bent over a slice of pumpkin pie as      he watched the proceedings.

Everyone exclaimed when they saw me. Hunter      straightened, his lips curving in that blinding smile of his as all the      Montgomerys surrounded me and took turns lavishing me with hugs. After peppering      me with questions about school and my grandmother and forcing me to accept a      slice of pie, they returned to their game, and Lila, Hunter, and I headed      upstairs for the game room to watch a movie.

I blushed as Lila made a point to sit on the far      side of the big, comfy couch, making sure I had to sit beside her brother. Not      exactly subtle.