Page 5 of Till Cupid Do Us Part

“How are you feelin’, Ivy?”

“I’m happy. And hungry, if you wouldn’t mind hurrying the turkey up.”

“Think it’ll listen to my orders?”

“You do have a talent when it comes to getting people to do what you want them to.”

“Everyone but you.”

I push away from the counter and slip into his arms, pressing my cheek against his solid chest. He hums softly, smoothing a hand up and down my back.

“We’d be too boring if I listened to your every order,” I whisper.

“Love you the way you are, angel.”

Junie coos from the living room, and Jill claps, telling her how smart she is. My boss is here, too, but he’s silent. I honestly wasn’t expecting him to take me up on the offer to come for Christmas dinner, but when Jill asked, he accepted.

That guy is a total sucker for my best friend. One day, they’ll stop dancing in circles, and Grayson will put an end to her helpless dating.

“I love you, too, Niko,” I murmur.

The doorbell rings a beat later. Niko stiffens against me before gliding a hand over my head.

“You invite anyone else?”

“No.”

My parents were over last night and drove home this morning. I doubt they decided to come back again and risk another long drive on the snowy highways.

“I’ll get it!” Jill shouts.

“You stay here and finish dinner. We’ve got it.”

“If you need me?—”

Leaning up on my toes, I press a soft kiss to the underside of his jaw. “Yell for you. I know, you overbearing man.”

“Careful, Ivy. I’ll have to punish you,” he threatens.

I want that so damn bad. It’s been months since we’ve done more than just kiss, and I’ve ruined more underwear than I ever have before from his teasing alone.

My insecurities have formed a mental block, though. It’s my fault we haven’t had sex since before Junie was born. I’m too self-conscious now to even let him in the bathroom with me when I shower or get changed for bed.

I reluctantly peel myself away from Niko and go to join my friend. His eyes burn into my back, and I try to pushmy emotions as far down as possible before they become too obvious.

“Uh, Ivy?” Jill calls from the front door.

“Yeah?”

Grayson is perched on the edge of the couch, eyes narrowed on the man standing in front of Jill. I stumble a step as I realize who it is, my eyes flaring wide.

“Travis?”

A large hand touches the back of my neck and squeezes lightly. I blink, turning to find Niko staring down at me with a sharp curiosity in his eyes.

“He texted asking about Junie last week,” he says, answering Jill’s question without looking away from me.

“Well, that’s good, at least. It’s progress, right?” Jill asks.

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