Page 16 of Clint & Ivy
I glanced up at Clint and found him amused by my excitement. “Hanzee likes to bark,” Clint said while I stroked the dog’s back. “I used to live in a little house near a school. Each afternoon, he would sit on the stoop at the front windows with his pal, Boa. They’d bark at all the kids every day without fail. On the weekends and holidays, they’d pout when no one walked by the house. Occasionally, a neighbor would mow their lawn and give the dogs a new target.”
“Does he bark in the condo?” I asked while Elle studied me.
“He likes to watch people walking around down on the street, but he’s gotten mellow in adulthood.”
Smiling at Hanzee, I rubbed under his chin and tried not to worry about Elle’s judgment.
“Clint claimed you have zero belongings,” she said, refusing to allow me to hide from her. When I lifted my gaze to meet hers, I found Elle’s expression relaxed. “We need to make a list. Figure out what you need. I don’t think most of my clothes in the condo will fit you.”
Clint smiled at me and suggested I go with Elle to the bedroom. Though wary about following her, I couldn’t deny Clint’s charms.
Elle walked into the bedroom and opened the closet. She looked me over and then started rifling through the clothes.
“When’s your period starting?” she asked while removing various shirts and pants. “I didn’t leave menstrual supplies here, so you’ll need them.”
“I’m a week away.”
Elle removed clothes belonging to her son. “I’ll make room for your new stuff, but I still want a few things here, okay?”
“Of course.”
Hearing something in my voice, Elle rested her hands on my shoulders and smiled. “You’ve lucked out with Clint. He’s a great man. I’m biased, for sure, but you can see his qualities, can’t you?”
“He saved me.”
“And he’s good-looking, right?”
As my cheeks went hot, I immediately remembered my body pressed against Clint’s when we were riding.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Elle said after seeing something on my face. “Though my brother probably wants me to take off, I plan to stick around and make sure you get settled. You know, chick power stuff, so you feel comfortable here.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do next.”
“How many boyfriends have you had?”
“None.”
“Me either.”
“Really?” I asked, thinking she was messing with me.
“Why, really?”
I was certain her question was a trick, so I didn’t answer.
Elle smirked. “The only guys I like are friends, not fuck-toys. What’s your excuse?”
“I rarely left our house.”
“By choice?”
“No. My mom was overprotective.”
I considered sharing my health issues with Elle. Except I currently felt attractive despite wearing oversized clothes. If I talked about my scars and past illnesses, my confidence would be gone.
Elle walked to the bed and folded the clothes she had taken out. “Clint has little experience in the girlfriend department. He’s certainly never let any woman stay over at his place before. This is new for everyone.”
“What do I do next, then?” I asked since my earlier plans got derailed when Elle arrived.
