He gave me an almost feral grin. "No, not at all. You'll have to work harder to figure that out. Finish the email, Elena."
I did, and in record time, but my phone still hadn't vibrated. When I activated the screen to check, I saw it was only a quarter after five, but that meant Trent had been waiting half an hour for my child since he'd gotten there fifteen minutes early. Just as I was about to set it down again, the thing vibrated in my hand, a preview of the text proving it was from Gabby. Like the paranoid mother I was, I swiped quickly to check what she'd said.
Gabby: I got a script and am in the truck with Trent. Be home in a minute, and he said you had a busy day.
"Gabby?" Ian asked.
"Yeah." I turned off my computer, dropped my phone in my purse, and stood. "Trent has her, and they're coming home."
"And you have earned a glass of wine and a little pampering. Am I allowed to invite myself over?"
I couldn't think of a single reason why I shouldn't, and I knew Gabby would love having an audience to hear all about her exciting day, so I gave in. "Sure. Just know that you're going to hear all about "Alice in Wonderland" until your ears bleed."
"Loved the book, didn't mind the cartoon, hated the movies, so I think I can keep up." He moved to unlock the door, letting me out just to lock it again behind us. "Walking?"
"Yeah. My car would be an eyesore in front of the office, and it's not even a block."
Like Trent had earlier, Ian's hand found my back as he turned me toward our homes. "Just remember it's supposed to rain this week."
"And I happen to own an umbrella. Speaking of that, do the kids wait in the office for the bus?"
"Usually. You have keys for the door yet?"
I shook my head. "No, but Trent showed me where the master is kept. I honestly had no clue what those keys were for, so I just ignored them."
"Mm. Well, I'll get you your own set of keys for the office tomorrow, and one for the main gates. If there's ever a power outage or emergency, that lets you open them." His hand drifted just a little lower and over toward my hip, reminding me that he hadn't pulled it away. "Seems you impressed my father today."
"Oh?" I was trying very hard not to lean into him.
Ian looked down at me with a smile. "Yep. He listened to you on the phone for a few hours this morning. And then he threatened to cut my balls off if I chase you away."
"What?" I gasped.
He just shrugged. "Evidently, Ash told him I've been hitting on my neighbor, and Dad went out of his way to give me a lecture. On the busiest day this place has ever had, mind you. Just so you know I've been properly chastised."
"Oh, and your roommates?"
For a moment, he floundered, opening his mouth just to close it again. "It's complicated."
And that was the answer he was going with? Not good enough. "So they're allowed to chase me away, but not you?"
"No! It's just that, um..." He let out a heavy breath. "I really shouldn't have said anything."
"Henry doesn't know," I realized. "Let me assure you that I'm completely ok with the washer incident never being told to another soul." Because I was starting to feel like everyone knew about my moment of weakness, and this way was much better in my opinion.
"I figure my father doesn't really need to be involved in my sex life - or yours. How's that?" Ian said.
I nodded emphatically. "That's something we can actually agree on."
"Good. And speaking of disagreements, are you still against that whole idea of a date?" He pulled his hand away as we reached my drive. "The offer's still there. Me, you, alone for dinner at a nice restaurant? Maybe some inspirational conversation?"
"Ian," I groaned. "It's only been a couple of weeks. I just left my husband." Then, on impulse, I decided to give him hope. Mainly because I didn't like the way that excuse made me sound. "Ask me again next week?"
"Definitely."
Nothing else was said until we were inside. I told him to make himself comfortable, then excused myself to put on some clothes that weren't quite so binding. When I came back to the living room, I found two glasses of wine