Page 93 of Tempest

Rory shook her head. “I’m wondering if you two fell in love?”

Ivy clasped her hands together, looked at Rory, and shrugged. “Yes, we did.” Letting out a sigh, her shoulders drooped. “That man has me scared out of my mind. He came after me with his hands and heart open, and he told me that he wanted all of me. I had no choice but to fall head over heels for him. He has my heart, and I hope to God he doesn’t break it.”

Rory leaned forward and nodded. “I had no desire to be in a relationship when I met Max. I had a stalker, and the last thing on my mind was love. My husband gave me no choice. He came after me with everything he had, and my heart opened. He is big, bossy, and overprotective, and I can’t imagine someone more perfect. You and I like to be in control, and it works in most areas of our lives. I’ve found that being in love allows no control, and I highly recommend it. The moment I gave it up is the moment that I found a dream I didn’t know I had. I have a feeling that Ryan would move heaven and earth to make you happy. Don’t miss the chance because you’re scared.”

Ivy felt tears gather in her eyes and wiped them away. “Thanks, Rory. For everything.”

Rory waved her hand in dismissal. “I adore a good love story, and I’ll do anything to help someone find theirs. My best friend Birdie and I have managed to help quite a few couples. We think of ourselves as love’s helpers.”

Ivy saw Max and Ryan walk in and noticed that Max was shaking his head. “Rory, you are more than love’s helper. You are love’s boss.” He kissed his wife and then pulled out a chair. “The only thing it can do is obey.”

Rory elbowed her husband. “I hope you keep that in mind when we get to the hotel tonight.”

Ivy watched the look of adoration on Max’s face as he smiled at his wife. If she was very lucky, Ryan might feel half of that for her. If that occurred, then she would be very happy.

Ryan sat in the chair next to her and took her hand. “Ready?”

“Absolutely,” she replied. Ready to let him all the way in and ready to give him everything she had. It seemed to be the only answer.

He leaned over and spoke quietly in her ear. “I love you.”

Turning her head, she stared into his eyes. “I love you too.”

The sound of Rory clearing her throat pulled Ivy out of her fog, and she straightened up. Glancing at the folder in front of her, she took a deep breath. “Ryan and I would like to open an office in Texas.” She pulled out the information that she’d prepared and passed it across the table. “This is an outline of our proposal.”

Max leaned back and grinned. “Yes.”

Ivy slid her eyes over to Ryan and he shrugged. She asked Max, “Don’t you want to look at the information?”

“I will when we get back home.” He looked at them both and shrugged. “I started this company because I had no idea what to do after I retired. I promised myself that I would do everything I could to provide the opportunity for my brothers when they found themselves in a similar position. I guess it’s worked, because we have seven offices. I will never say no to a brother. The fact that Ryan has you as a partner makes it twice as easy. Rory is the reason that we’ve been as successful as we have. You remind me a lot of my wife, so I think the Texas office may end up being the biggest one in the company.”

Ryan stood and came around the table, and Max joined him. “Thank you for the opportunity. We will not let the company down.”

They shook hands and Max slapped him on the back. “I know, brother.”

Joel walked in and looked around the room. “Vivi wants everyone to come over to the house for dinner. We’re going to celebrate the newest SAI office.”

“Perfect,” Rory commented. “No one can throw a party like Vivi.”

Ryan slipped his arm around Ivy’s waist and held her tightly against his side. “We’re in business together, so now you can’t get rid of me.”

“Wasn’t planning on it,” she said against his chest. “We’re stuck with each other now.”

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