Page 124 of Trust My Bodyguard

“I like it here.” She hops to a neutral spot. “We can get the best of both views this way.”

The guys nod their approval.

While they set up, Ivy skips around the living room, pointing at different spots with her ideas for the decor.

“What do you think?” She spins to me after she’s been on a roll for a full minute.

The light in her eyes sparks in my heart. “I think it’s perfect.”

She beams and goes ahead to rope Nick and Zane into the conversation, asking their opinions. The guys know fuck all about interior design, but they nod along, throwing an opinion here and there.

A week ago, our long search for a place to ourselves yielded this house. Tucked at the base of the hills on the outskirts of the town, it was the last place we thought to look.

But my mom heard from a friend of friend that the owner, an old widow, wanted to rent the place out and move to live with her sister in town. Not thinking much about it, I arrived with Ivy in tow. Her immediate squeal made me go rigid, wondering where the threat was coming from. It took a bit of explaining on her end to let me know she just fell in love with the house at first sight.

Mrs. Hennes in turn thought we would be perfect tenants and here we are.

“So, vases would go there and there.” Ivy spins on the spot. “And there, we’d have ivies…” Nick gives her a look and she pouts. “I know. We’d have ivies curling around the beams.”

“You’re very sure of what you want,” Zane says. Which is a compliment in Zane-speak.

Ivy is already well-integrated with the guys because she grins, understanding Zane meant that in the best way. “I know! It’s going to be so cute.”

Nick snorts. “Brody’s going to live in a cute house.”

Even Zane’s stoic exterior cracks.

The smile on my face falls off. “What are you doing standing around? There’s more stuff to bring in.”

It’s their turn to look less than merry.

We follow them as they file out.

Ivy loops a hand through my elbow. “I promise it won’t be too cute.”

I scoff. “Don’t tell the guys, but the cuter the better.”

I kiss her smiling lips as we reach the porch. The guys resume hauling in our luggage, and I bask in the feeling of Ivy being here with me.

Once they finish, I hand them each a cold six-pack of beer and hustle them out. “Go get drunk somewhere else.”

“Come back for dinner tomorrow,” Ivy says.

“Thanks, Ivy!” Nick calls back. “I know now which one of you is appearing on my gratitude list.”

“I’m so heartbroken,” I say.

“It’s a list with great people. You’re missing out.” Nick climbs in the driver’s seat and shuts the door.

Like I care. “I’ll email you a jar of my tears.”

“I’ll email you the embossed kerchiefs I’ll gift the people on my list because I’m a kind person.” The engine starts and he turns the wheel.

“How lovely,” I respond. “I’ll use it to wipe the mud off my boots before tossing it out.”

Nick glares at me before turning around and driving off. Zane sticks his hand out the window, waving goodbye. They probably don’t see it, but Ivy waves back.

“Can you hear that?” I ask her.

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