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Kimberlin was normally a straight shooter. It was weird having her speak in code. With everything around her swirling, she needed to be able to hold on to some constants.

“Kimberlin, what are you trying to say? This code shit isn’t like you.”

“If you have forgiven Emmanuel, you don’t have to hide it from me. It may not be what I’d do, but you are my girl, and I stand by you.”

“Well. While I appreciate the sentiment. You don’t have to worry about me swerving you because I chose my husband. Make no mistake, I stand beside him. You’ll have to trust my decision here. It will work out.” Ivy wouldn’t break a promise to Manny, but Kimberlin needed to understand.

“Girl, you sound like Frank,” Kimberlin grumbled.

“He paid you a visit?” Ivy wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Frank always looked out for them.

“Sort of?—”

“What do you mean, sort of?”

“Um. I was out and ran into Frank.”

“We will revisit who your ass was out with.” Bingo, a guilty look, transformed Kimberlin’s features before it disappeared.

“Um… okay. Frank made it clear to me that I didn’t want to be on the wrong side of this situation. That my job is to be a friend without judgment and be a safe place for you to land.”

“Girl please, Frank didn’t say that.”

Kimberlin shook her head. “Ivs, you know that man so well. Your cousin is a menace. He saidget your head outta your ass and be for real. Fuck around and see if you don’t lose your friend trying to project your ‘I rather be by myself’ bullshit onto her.”

Ivy tried and failed to keep a straight face. Both women ended up bursting into laughter.

“Seriously Ivs. Our friendship is everything to me. I’m sorry if I haven’t been there for you the way I should. No one wants your happiness more than me.”

Ivy leaned over and hugged her friend. “Girl, we are good. Thank you for looking out for me.”

“Always,” Kimberlin answered.

It was good to have cleared the air with her friend. Especially when everyone found out that Manny had been innocent all along. Thankfully, her friend had said nothing disrespectful to her husband. He had received a few stink eyes from her best friend. But Ivy was sure Manny and Kimberlin could mend the fences.

Hopefully, Darsh will locate the other twin soon. Her children needed to know that they hadn’t misplaced their trust by putting it in their father.

Ivy thought she’d be most concerned about Sage, but her little girl was resilient. What had she told her this morning?“You and Daddy have to fix this soon. I am not built for the ‘my parents have two separate homes’ life. I forgot my favourite sweater at the condo.”

Ivy had smiled at her child’s antics, but she, like her daughter, was eager to have her husband back under the same roof.

In the meantime, Ivy had to tolerate their separate living situations. She made the most of it. While Sage was at home, she couldn’t spend the night. However, that didn’t stop them from spending lunch together.

Chapter Seventeen

NOTHING IS FREE

“Emmanuel, Ivy is here, and she brought lunch with her,” his assistant announced when he picked up her call.

Manny could feel the smile spreading across his face at the announcement. “Thank you, Maggie. Please send her in… and Maggie, you can head to lunch,” Manny advised.

The anticipation of seeing Ivy set his heart rate kicking. It never got old for him. Ivy was his world. He held onto that, as everything around him was changing.

“Ah-huh. I’m taking an extended lunch,” Maggie replied.

“Take your time.” Despite meaning every word, the tone of his voice was laced with humour.

Maggie might as well enjoy the next couple of hours off. He didn’t want to be disturbed. Last night was hard on him, even though it was his idea that they remain living apart. Not having her warmth snuggled into his side had resulted in a restless sleep.

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