“Just don’t expect me to help with any lifting,” Lucy teased, her expression softening. “I can keep an eye on things and keep you company.”
“You’re the best wing-woman out there.” Ian smiled before bending down to pick up the measuring tape. “How’s it going with that new client of yours?”
“I thought Sophia’s client was bad. This one is way worse. You have no idea how many times she’s changed her mind so far. I want to rip my hair out sometimes.”
“Maybe invest in a wig.”
Lucy shot him a dirty look, and he threw his hands up in the air.
The two of them talked and laughed well into the night. When Lucy sat down on the back steps, her eyelids growing heavy, Ian sat next to her. He waited till she was fast asleep before carrying her up the stairs and into their room.
When he crawled into bed, he pulled Lucy against him and buried his face against her neck.
She smelled like flowers and vanilla.
In the morning, he was up before the sun climbed into the sky. In silence, he got dressed and crept downstairs. During his run, he stopped by Decadent Treats to pick up a few things. On his way out, he waved at Emily, who offered him a bright smile and two thumbs-up.
The house was quiet when he went home and left the paper bag on the kitchen counter. Then he looked around for a piece of paper and wrote Lucy a sweet note. After securing it underneath the bag, he showered and changed into his work clothes.
For the first time in a long time, Ian felt like he could finally breathe.
Chapter Seventeen
“Am I going to have to pry that phone out of your hands?”
Ian nearly spilled his drink when he glanced over and caught the scowl on Sophia’s face. “I was just checking for updates.”
“You’ve spent the entire night sneaking out for ‘fresh air,’ but I know what this is really about.” Sophia slid the door shut behind her and zipped up her coat. “You’re waiting to hear back from Bryce. It’s Thanksgiving, E. He’s not going to call you now.”
“It’s been a few weeks.” Ian lifted the beer to his lips and took a long sip.
Over Sophia’s shoulder, he spotted Lucy and his grandparents in the kitchen, making conversation while they got the food ready. Abby, Tania, Josh, and Emma were all on one side of the living room, huddled around a laptop screen.
Zoe and Zac were in the dining room, helping Darren and Ben set up the table.
Aunt Ashley, Aunt Heather, and Aunt Rebecca were all leaning against the kitchen counter, stealing bites of the appetizers while Angie tried to shoo them away. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of movement and spotted hiscousin Emily carrying a large cake with his cousin Tara, the two of them looking extremely focused.
Meanwhile, Jason, Marisa, Charlotte, and Savannah all sat on the couch, playing cards. Now and again, they threw their hands in the air, earning dirty looks from Ruby, Lara, Jaxon, Reese, and Glen Jr. When Charlie brushed past and paused to ruffle their hair, a chorus of protests sliced through the air.
It wasn’t until Ian’s gaze swept back that he noticed his uncle Frankie and Cousin Terry eyeballing them through the glass. Sophia lifted a hand and offered them a wave. Uncle Frankie shrugged and drew Terry back into a conversation, the back of his head glistening with sweat. Ian then saw his cousin Suzie standing in a corner by herself, nursing a glass of wine and dabbing at her white sweater.
Ian was about to say something to Sophia when the front door opened, and Rob and Alice came in, red-faced and shaking off snow. After taking off their coats and hats, they greeted everyone with warm hugs and bright smiles. When they saw Sophia and Ian lingering in the backyard, they exchanged confused looks.
“Now the whole family is going to think we’re mad or something,” Sophia muttered before slapping him on the arm. “You happy now?”
Ian rubbed his arm. “You’re the one who followed me out here.”
“You’re the one who’s obsessed. Just let it go for one day,” Sophia pleaded, turning her gaze on him. “Everyone’s inside waiting for us. If there’s any news, I’m sure Bryce will call.”
“What if I don’t hear from him?”
“Then you’ll call him back when you see his missed call,” Lily offered as she rounded the corner and made a beeline for them. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but Tammy and Luke neededmy help carrying something in from the car, so I thought I’d check in.”
“You mean hover. Look, I appreciate the concern, but I really am fine.”
Lily looked over at Sophia and back at Ian. “You don’t look fine. You’re almost as thin as Lucy. Are you eating at all?”
“If he’s not working or obsessing over Mom’s case, he’s hovering over Lucy,” Sophia told her, shaking her head. “He’s turned into one of those obsessive people.”
