“How was lunch?” she asked.
“It was good. I have Talia and Ty Greene coming for our meeting in just a few minutes,” I said.
“Yes. Talia called to say they’d be a few minutes late. Apparently, Ty spilled something on his shirt, so he had to run to the hotel and change clothes. I guess it’s the life of a rock star, am I right?”
I coughed on the water I’d just guzzled before pulling myself together. “I suppose. Just send them back when they arrive. I’m going to go respond to a few emails real quick.”
“You got it, sunshine. And Ivy,” she called after me.
“Yes?”
“Great job on throwing that milkshake in his face. I heard it was pretty awesome,” she said over her laughter.
I whipped around. “What? How in the world do you know about that?”
“Cassie was sitting one table over. She said it was quite the spectacle. What do the kids your age call that these days? Paybacks are a female dog?”
Now it was my turn to bark out a laugh. “Damn. A girl can’t even have a meltdown in this town without everyone talking about it. And the saying is… paybacks are a bitch!”
“You get ‘em, sweetie. Proud of you,” she shouted as I turned to make my way down to my office.
I slumped in my chair as my phone vibrated. A text from my mother.
Mama ~ Hey there, baby girl. I heard you saw Ty at the Rusty Pelican. Way to stick it to him. That was probably a long time coming.
I groaned as my phone dinged again.
It was a match on my dating website. Someone had apparently swiped right again. This time it was a new face.
His profile was interesting. He was new to town. Four years older than me and a recent graduate from veterinary school. Good-looking and he clearly liked animals. And he was opening up a practice here in town.
Dr. Scotty. I wondered if that was a first name or a last name. While studying his profile, a message box opened.
Dr. Scotty ~ Hi, Ivy! Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?
My office phone rang, and Kathleen announced the arrival of my client and her wickedly handsome evil brother. I set my phone down and pushed to stand as they walked down the hall toward me.
Ty was in a clean white tee and a pair of distressed jeans. His dark hair was tousled, and he looked like every woman’s fantasy as he made his way toward me. I should know. The bastard still frequented my every fantasy.
Talia had a huge grin on her face. “Thanks for meeting with us, Ivy.”
“Of course.” I held my hand out for them to take the two seats across from my desk.
“Ivy,” Ty said with a smirk. “It’s nice to see you. Again. Preferably without liquid nearby.”
“Oh. Sorry about that. My hand must have slipped.” I quirked a brow and took my seat.
Talia’s phone chirped and she looked down, before jumping to her feet. “Oh no. I have to leave. There’s an issue at the house.”
“What? Do you need me to go?”
“No. You two can hash out the details. I’ll meet you back there later. Don’t forget we have dinner with Dad.”
He groaned. “Fine. I’ll meet you back at your house.”
“Sorry, Ivy. I’ll call you later.” She was out the door before I could respond.
The air shifted once we were alone. Ty stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankle, and then connected his hands behind his head, like he didn’t have a care in the world. His tee lifted just a bit and I tried not to let my gaze wander to the sliver of tanned abs that was on display, but I couldn’t help myself.
“So…” he said.
“So what?” I hissed before opening my computer screen and pulling up the budget for Talia’s wedding. “Let’s get down to business.”
“Sure. Sounds good to me.”
I looked up to see him drinking me in. “Stop looking at me all smug and sex-driven.”
“How does one look sex-driven?” he said over his laughter.
“I don’t know, Ty. Maybe you should try looking in a mirror.”
“Come on, Ive. Stop this. Can’t we talk?”
“About the budget? Sure.” I kept my eyes trained on my screen.
He moved to his feet and came around my desk, and I swear I stopped breathing. “Fine. Let me look at the budget.” He stood behind me, leaning over my chair, and I squeezed my thighs together because holy hell, my lady bits do still work. Was it his scent? Was he shooting his pheromones at me or something?
“So, the total is at the bottom. Do you have issues with anything? These are the line items here.” My voice came out in a whisper, with a side of lust.
What in the hell?
You’re better than this, Ivy.
“It all looks good to me.” He turned my chair, so I was facing him. “You look good. I’ve missed you something fierce.”
I narrowed my gaze and shoved back in my chair, my wheels making it easy to move away and put some much-needed distance between me and the pheromone king.
“That ship has sailed, Ty. It sailed a long time ago when you disappeared from my life. So, if you don’t want to talk about the budget, then I am going to have to ask you to leave. Don’t make me call security.”
He barked out a laugh. “Why are you so nervous?”
“I’m not nervous. I’m annoyed. Can you not tell the difference, Mr. Country Star?”
He moved toward me, and his tongue swiped out and wet his bottom lip.
Hallelujah, mother of Mary, Lord have mercy, holy hellfire… this man would be the death of me.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night. We can go to our favorite old place, Dean Taylors Steak House,” he said.
I gasped, let out a few appalled huffy breaths to make it clear that that was not happening. “You must be dreaming.”
“I do dream about you often.”
“I already have a date tomorrow. As a matter of fact, he and I are having dinner at Dean Taylors tomorrow night,” I said proudly as I moved to my feet and stepped further from him. I’d most definitely be taking Dr. Scotty up on his offer.
“Who is he?” he asked, and he looked so smug I wanted to slap the sexy right off his face.
“He’s a doctor. He’s opening his own veterinary practice here in town. It’s all very impressive.” I smiled and crossed my arms over my chest to calm my racing heart.