“When you get home, do an Internet search for horror movies for kids, or something like that. This weekend, I’ll go through my attic and see if there’s anything I can bear to part with.”
Seeing an opening, and smart enough to take it, Corbin said, “I bet Justin would love to see it all.”
Her eyes flared a bit as if with inspiration. “That’s a wonderful idea. Would you like to come over? I work a partial day every other Saturday, but I’m off Sunday. Well, unless there’s an emergency. Then I’d have to—”
Corbin laid a finger against her lips. Really soft lips, he noticed. “Sunday would be perfect, and if something comes up, just let me know. I’ll give you my number.”
Her lips puckered slightly, and she drew a deep breath through her nose.
“Okay?”
When she nodded, her lips teased his finger.
Get it together, Corbin. It amazed him how being with Ivey like this helped to blunt the pain of what he knew of Justin’s past. The reality still tortured him, but with Ivey, it wasn’t quite as bad.
Fighting his own instincts, he dropped his hand to his side. She immediately licked her lips and damn, that was provocative. Time to refocus, and fast. He got out his phone and, casual as you please, asked, “What’s your number? I’ll send you a text so you’ll have mine, too.”
Not quite so casual, she recited hers. Corbin got the impression she didn’t pass out her number often, but then, neither did he. It was different here, in Sunset. Instead of hooking up at night with a woman in a club, he’d met a veterinarian on a rainy afternoon while leasing out a guesthouse with his son nearby.
If someone had asked him a year ago, he’d have denied such a thing was possible. Now? In so many ways, it felt incredibly right.
When her phone pinged with the text, Ivey smiled.
“Why don’t you tell Justin?” Corbin suggested. “He’ll be excited.” Realizing he’d imposed on her busy day, he asked, “Or do you need to get back to work?”
Gazing up at him, Ivey nodded, then shook her head.
His mouth twitched. “Yes? No?”
She noticeably gathered herself. “Sorry, I got distracted. It’s not often a gorgeous man gives me his number.”
Damn, he enjoyed her praise. He knew he wasn’t an ogre, but he’d never had a woman be quite so open with her compliments. “Gorgeous, huh?”
“No reason to be modest.”
“I’m not.” Though he wouldn’t have described himself that way. How did she constantly get him off track? “Do you expect me to believe guys—gorgeous or otherwise—aren’t interested in you?”
“I don’t know. I was with Geoff for so long that...” She cut herself off to assure him, “But I’m ready to get back out there.”
“Good to know.” Not kissing her took great concentration. It helped that Justin was nearby, waiting for him.
“That was my plan, you know. I was going for variety.”
“Variety?” He wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that.
“Geoff was such a grind toward the end that I sort of swore off commitments. My new plan was to focus on me and what I want.”
Fascinating. “Solid plan. So...what is it you want?”
She shrugged. “Convenience? I know I don’t want another slug taking up space on my couch, especially when he’s not...”
She stopped abruptly, and damned if heat didn’t tinge her cheeks. “When he’s not what?” Corbin prompted.
Her chin lifted. “Let’s just say if I make time for a guy, he better be worthwhile.”
Was she talking sex? Tantalized by that thought, Corbin propped a shoulder on the wall and regarded her. “How’s that going for you?”
The question caught her off guard. “What?”
“Getting back out there.”
“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I’ve been busy, so...” She rushed on with, “If you’re interested, though, I’ll find time.”
“Count me interested.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. “Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll shut up now.”
No way could he contain his laugh. He trailed two fingers over a fluffy curl, ending with a stroke against her cheek. “Don’t ever censor yourself on my account.”
“I tend to go on.”
“You speak your mind and I like it.”
Her smile came slowly before she checked the time. “I dragged you in here to discuss the dog and got totally sidetracked. All the T&A talk threw me off.”
He opened his arms. “Lay it on me.”
Without hesitation, she launched into her concerns. “I’m thrilled that he wants Daisy, please understand that. I love her so much and I badly wanted her to find a good home. I knew it’d be