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“Dad, Oliver made me drive him all the way out here. Then I waited in the car forever. While he ate cake. He owes me.”

“Those aren’t the instructions your mom gave. Was it though?”

“No, Sir.”

Emmanuel pivoted in his other son’s direction. “Oliver. Don’t take your brother’s time for granted.”

They straightened up and flew right when Manny spoke. He commanded the boy’s respect. That was one of the aspects she loved most about sharing a life with him. He was an amazing parent/partner.

Soon the boys were gone.

“I’m going to work for a while. You should head up. I’ll be in the office.” Manny nodded at her. Then he, too, was gone. Ivy decided she wasn’t ready for bed. What would it hurt to whip up another cake?

Chapter Nine

I WASN’T HONEST WITH YOU

Could Emmanuel have finished looking through the proposal tomorrow? Most certainly. In fact, when he finally left the office, that had been his intention. What was that quote?“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”He had just wanted to be home with his wife. Tucked away from the craziness of the outside world. Instead, he had found that doubt had infiltrated his marriage.

Not that Emmanuel didn’t understand how it was possible. He had been so certain that they could weather the storm together. Talk things through… That Ivy would come to him. She hadn’t. It was bad enough that she took the stupid test, but to bring condoms into their home. The logical side begged him to focus his discontent on the person responsible, rather than on Ivy. If he was being honest, the shit hurt.

It isn’t easy for her either.

That’s why they had so much cake in the house. Honestly, he’d eaten the slice Ivy had given him, but like the food before, he couldn’t taste a thing. At least his family was together. He smiled, recalling the banter of his children. They were all smart and funny. Oliver and Sage were most alike, which is probably why they butted heads so much. To Emmanuel’s way of thinking, if Sage was anyone’s Junior, it was Oliver. Benjamin wasn’t allowed to fade into the obscurity of the middle child syndrome. His mother wouldn’t hear of it. Ivy was an amazing mother. Hell, she was just as an amazing wife.

Emmanuel wasn’t getting much work done, so he decided a break was in order. Maybe he could actually enjoy the cake this time. The smell of the baked goodness assaulted him the moment he opened the office door. Like it was freshly baking. He stopped short as he entered the kitchen. Ivy was at the counter and there were two cakes in the oven. The oven timer went off, and she looked up and saw him. Her hand flew to her chest, and she gasped. “Manny!”

“You’re still up?” It came out as a question, although it was clear that she was. He’d been certain she had gone off to bed.

Ivy moved to the oven and retrieved the cakes, and transferred them to the cake rack. While she explained, “I figured I’d bake some more. Besides, the boys love the cake.”

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Another indicator she was staring down the barrel of a stress gun.

How could he remain upset with her?

“Ivy, it’s okay. The boys don’t need more cake. They are both athletes. They are going to put themselves through the paces for what they already have eaten.”

“Oh. I just wanted to do something for them. Well, they can share it with their friends. Or maybe I can drop one off at your parents’ or maybe Frank and Darren would like one?”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t ignore the pull toward her. In a few steps, he was at her side. “You look tired, Doc. Maybe go get some sleep.”

“I couldn’t go up there by myself knowing how upset you are with me.”

“Ivy—”

“No, I get it. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about the test first.” She tentatively placed her hand on his chest. “This all has been so much. I’m trying not to let it get to me?—”

Before she could finish, he was pulling her into his arms. Her eyes were becoming watery pools, which he couldn’t bear to look at.

“I’m sorry Manny.”

His hold on her tightened as the smell of her eased some of the tension he experienced since he saw the box of condoms.

“No, Doc. Don’t apologise, but maybe… stop baking. I don’t think we will be able to keep up.”

“I’ll try.” Ivy stifled a yawn.

“Ready to head up?”

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