Page 92 of Twins for the Mountain Daddies

When we’ve got her room back to rights, we get ready for bed. I strip down to my boxers and tug on a worn thermal, watching as Ivy pulls on one of Holt’s flannels over her sleep shorts. It drowns her, the sleeves hanging past her hands.

Holt just strips down and flops onto the bed, stretching like a damn cat. You takin’ forever on purpose, or you need me to tuck you in, Wyatt?”

I roll my eyes but climb in on Ivy’s other side, settling in as she scoots between us. She’s quiet, lost in thought, but when I sling an arm around her waist, she melts into me.

Holt nudges her temple with his nose. “Stop thinkin’, CG. Just sleep.”

She exhales slow, her body relaxing fully for the first time all damn day. Within seconds, her breathing evens out, and she’s gone—tucked between us where she belongs.

Holt catches my eye over the top of her head, his expression softer than usual. I know we’re both thinking the same thing. No matter what Hank does, no matter what comes next, we’re not going anywhere.

I press a kiss to the top of Ivy’s head, let out a deep breath, and finally let myself close my eyes.

Chapter 43

Ivy

Hank is avoiding me. He’s not exactly subtle about it, but then again, I’m not making it hard for him. Especially since Holt and I are down in town, getting drinks at the coffee shop while he’s on shift at the firehouse.

I’m not sure how I’ve become the kind of girl who hangs around waiting on her boyfriend, but here I am, sipping tea and wondering what happened to my life.

“You’ve got that look again, CG.” Holt grins, his eyes playful as he leans back in his chair, balancing on two legs in a way that makes me nervous and impressed.

“What look?” I feign innocence, but I know where this is going.

“The one that says you’re thinking about Hank.” He winks, and I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool.

“Maybe I was thinking about you, hotshot,” I counter, though we both know he’s right.

He laughs, a sound that’s both comforting and infuriating in its confidence. “Nah, I know when I’m on your mind. You get that dreamy look.”

I snort, a sound I didn’t know I was capable of until recently. “You mean the look that says I’m wondering if I’ve lost my mind?”

“Nah. It’s this faraway look in your eyes like you just can’t believe how lucky you are. Then you bite your lip and I know your thoughts have taken a naughty turn.”

I bite my lip to hold back a laugh. Holt’s eyes flare with heat and he drops his chair onto all fours, leaning in.

“You thinking naughty things now, baby? Because we can take this somewhere more private and I can show you just how much I’ve been thinking of you.”

I feel my face heat, but I roll my eyes to cover it. “We’re in public, Holt. Try to keep it in your pants for five minutes.”

Holt smirks, unbothered as ever. “Five minutes? That’s all you think I can hold out? Because I vividly remember waiting weeks,weeksfor you to come to your senses and let me touch you.”

I shake my head, sipping my tea just to have something to do with my hands. He watches me over the rim of his coffee cup, eyes sharp, amused. He’s always looking like he knows exactly what I’m thinking before I myself do. It’s infuriating.

I glance toward the road that will take us back up the mountain. I can’t avoid Hank forever.

The thought twists something uncomfortable in me.

Holt must catch it, because his playful expression softens. He nudges my knee under the table. “He’ll come around, Ivy.”

I sigh, tracing the lip of my mug. “And if he doesn’t?”

Holt doesn’t hesitate. “Then we keep going without him. But I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

I want to believe him. Really, I do. But there’s a nagging part of me that isn’t so sure. Hank doesn’t seem like the kind of man to change his mind once it’s set. And, honestly, I’m not sure whatI’ll do if he does. After how he reacted, what he said? I don’t know if I can forgive him.

“Wyatt said he’ll be back in an hour,” Holt says, blowing on his coffee. “Should give us plenty of time to get to the doctor’s appointment.”

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