her soiled lab coat, dropped it into the bin and then washed her hands in the sink. “You look frazzled. Why don’t you head on home and relax?” When Hope bit her lip, Ivey’s smile widened. “Or maybe you have something else to do?”
Hope’s gaze darted around, making sure Karen and the other tech weren’t near, then whispered, “Lang and I are going out on the boat in an hour.”
That sounded wonderful. An easy ride as the evening cooled down. “That’ll be fun.” It thrilled her that Hope had agreed to be alone with Lang. They’d be on the lake, so not really anywhere private, but still, it was another step forward.
“Yes, but...” Hope crowded close and her voice dropped even more. “I bought a bathing suit.”
Ivey’s jaw loosened before she caught herself and grinned hugely. “Good for you!” Talk about a big step, this one was a leap. Hope didn’t even wear low-cut tops. In fact, she used clothes like a suit of armor, hiding everything she could. “I’m sure you’ll look terrific.”
“I had thought about shopping around here, but I just couldn’t do it, so I ordered it online. It’s cute. A black one-piece with a little skirt.”
The “little skirt” part tickled Ivey. It sounded just like Hope. “Now you know I want to see it.”
Hope quickly dug out her phone and opened her photo app. “Thank you,” she said with relief. “I took a picture of myself in the mirror and I’m dying to know if it looks okay.” She held the phone to her chest. “But first, you have to swear to me that you’ll tell me the truth.”
“Oh, honey, I will never, ever lie to you.”
“Right, I know that. But some lies are meant to be kind, and the thing is, I want your one hundred percent honest opinion so that I don’t make a fool of myself in front of Lang.”
Unable to believe she was having this conversation with Hope, that her friend was actually that interested in a man, Ivey crossed her heart. “I swear. Now stop teasing and lemme see!”
With her bottom lip back in her teeth, Hope turned the phone.
Slowly, Ivey took it from her. Holy smokes, even with the suit having a high, round neck and the little skirt that skimmed the tops of her thighs, Hope looked amazing. She had more curves than Ivey had ever realized. Delicate, yes, but so very sexy. “Girl, you’re going to rock that man’s world.”
The second the words left her mouth, she regretted it. What if Hope didn’t want to rock Lang’s world? What if that notion frightened her?
Ivey looked up...and caught Hope’s blinding smile.
Glowing in pleasure, Hope asked, “You really think so?”
So pleased she could barely contain it, Ivey gave her a big grin. “I think you’re ready to advance things a smidge. Am I right?”
“Actually...yes.” Hope hugged herself. “I want to kiss him, Ivey. I think about it all the time.” With a soft laugh, she said, “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Perfect. “I’m sure he’s thinking about it, too.” Ivey looked at the image again. Hope had slim, shapely legs, gently rounded hips and a tiny waist. The neckline of the suit barely displayed her modest cleavage. “You are such an enticing little package. Lang is going to drool.”
“I wish I had bigger boobs.”
That got a surprised laugh out of Ivey. “Don’t be silly. Big boobs would look absurd on your petite frame.” With confidence, Ivey said, “You’re perfect as is.”
Fretting again, Hope whispered, “What if he misunderstands and thinks I want more than a kiss?”
In many ways, Hope was like a schoolgirl going through her first crush, cautiously seeking new experiences. “Wearing a bathing suit is not an invitation, honey.” Ivey handed the phone back to her. “Everyone wears them and it only means you’re comfortable enough with him to relax. Lang isn’t a dummy, so I trust he’ll get it. But you know I’m all about being up front. Why not just tell him you want a kiss, only a kiss? That way, there are no misunderstandings.”
Karen stuck her head in. “I’m heading out, ladies. I’m in desperate need of a dip in the pool and a margarita.”
Laughing, Ivey shooed her away. “You’ve earned it, Karen. Thank you so much for being with us through thick and thin.”
“Thank you. If you weren’t such an incredible vet, we probably would have lost that dog today and my entire week would have been ruined.”
The dog had been hit by a