A/N I had some much fun reading your comments in the last chapter. This story starts before Bet On You, but it will overlap. If you are a fan of Josh revisit chapter 41 on New Years Eve.

Baxter's jaw clenched as he watched Jimmy and Ivy laugh across the room. She was beautiful in her gown. On Sinclair's arm, she looked like she belonged.

Tate stood beside him. "They look perfect together. She told me they were just friends, but there's something there."

"He said he didn't like to look weak."

"There's nothing weak about Jimmy Sinclair."

"After the story about him and Kasper, he's making sure it looks like he won."

"She'll be another of his broken hearts. I warned her."

Baxter felt the sting of his sister's words deep within. "Hypothetically, what would people think if Jimmy married a girl like her."

"What do you mean like her?" Tate narrowed her gaze at him.

"You know, the middle class."

"You're a snob. Jimmy isn't the marrying type."

"Hypothetically, if he were. Would she be welcome to sit on committees and, I don't know, at these events?"

They were attending a benefit to support the ballet. Anyone with deep pockets attended. The event included a performance before the cocktail party with dancing and a silent auction. The Kanes had donated a week's stay at the house in Aspen. Baxter shivered at the memory. Could he return to the mountain house without remembering the taste of sweet cream on her skin?

Tate's answer brought him back to the present. She shrugged. "Why would she want to?"

"It's expected. Hasn't Mother been pushing you to get involved?"

Tate sighed. "Yes, but. To answer your question, everyone will think this hypothetical girl was only after his fortune which is ironic because I can see two or three women who definitely didn't marry for love. Four."

"Love." Baxter scoffed. "You thought you had it. Does anyone ever really know?"

He watched Ivy toss her head, with her musical laughter. He rubbed his neck as his skin remembered her laugh when she nuzzled into him.

"Fleas?" Tate asked. He glared at her. His sister bit her lip. "I think when love is real you know. It's the imposter you need to worry about."

"Imposter?"

"When you convince yourself it's real."

Baxter rubbed her back. "I'm sorry, Tate."

She put his arm around his waist. "No, you aren't, you never liked him."

"I'm still sorry he hurt you."

"It's the past. Almost six months ago, but who's counting?"

Baxter felt uncomfortable. He hadn't been counting, but six months was a long time to still smell her and taste her when he shut his eyes.

"Should we say hello?" Tate jarred him back to the event.

It was the first charity event of the fall social season. Ivy no longer worked for Kane Properties, although he had asked her to continue with the labor negotiations. They were close to a deal. The mood had changed between the two sides and Philip Kane was happy with his son. So happy, Baxter felt ready to unveil his idea for multi use buildings.

He looked over at his best friend, as he led Ivy to the dance floor. Baxter had watched her turn in place with Kasper, but with Jimmy she waltzed. How much time had they spent together? Jimmy could charm a bee out of stinging him. Did his game go awry? Had they fallen for one another? Baxter turned from the dance floor and walked to the bar. They didn't serve quality whisky, which was just as well since he wanted to knock it back and not sip it.

He turned from the bar and winced. In front of him was the one man worse than Bates. Walter Leonard owned a large conglomerate, but used his conceit to accost women. Jimmy hated him and made it a game to find a buyer to bid against him on any company the perverted man was interested in acquiring.

"Kane."

"Leonard. Interested in selling your Boston building?" It was prime real estate.

"Nope. Shame you have to date your sister. I heard the rumors about you."

Baxter forced a smile. "I heard the same about you. There's one big difference, the rumors about you are true."

"You and your friend Sinclair think you're so funny. Remember, you punks are playing with the big boys now."

"If you're an example of the big boys with the way you treat women, count me out."

Leonard looked around the room and licked his lips. "I heard your sister is on the rebound, jilted at the altar and all."

Baxter controlled his anger. "Good luck. My sister knows martial arts."

He laughed. "Little karate girl."

Baxter pushed past ignoring the snide remark. A part of him wanted the guy to put a hand on Tate. She may have started as a little karate girl, but decades later, she was a karate master, with a fifth degree black belt. His sister could defend herself, but it would cause an unwanted scene. Baxter moved towards where she stood with her fake friends.

He whispered in her ear, "Leonard on the loose."

She looked at him and scowled. "I want to palm heel strike him. It would be so fast he would never see it coming."

"You would ruin your dress with the blood splatter."

"True. Ivy might need it for more dates with Jimmy." Her jaw ticked.

"You don't like my friend with her do you?" Baxter didn't either.

"No. He hurts women, not like Leonard, but Ivy doesn't need a broken heart. It's odd how much she has changed."

Baxter leaned in. "How so?"

"With confidence. I think you're responsible."

Baxter choked on the cheap whisky. "Me?"

"The union work. She found her passion. Now she's dating the most eligible man in Boston."

"I thought I was."

"Not even close. You have a small penis now."

"Christ. I hate Priscilla. Short of posting a dick pic, I have to live with it."

"You could let all the deprived women in the room give you a hand job. Starting with your new enemy, she's here with Junior's friend who is just like him. Remember his parents paid their way out of the date rape charge when he was at Choate." The guy was kicked out of the prestigious boarding school, but never charged.

"I think there are more sexual predators here than in a sports bar." Baxter scanned the room and scowled. Ivy's eyes met him and glanced away.

"It's sick. The way money can wash away illegal behavior."

Baxter frowned. "Where are the twins tonight?"

"I don't know. You live with them."

Despite his best effort to avoid it, his eye tracked Ivy, as Jimmy led her across the room. He walked in their direction without excusing himself. Jimmy stopped in front of Amelia. Baxter stopped and stood next to her.

"Jimmy, have you finally settled down?"

Jimmy laughed, as Ivy replied, "No. I'm not from here."

"Boston, dear?"

"No, I'm from the lower middle class."

She averted his eyes as he felt proud and embarrassed for her at the same time. He looked at his mother as she replied. "Any girl Jimmy choses will be a queen. Even the wealthy like fairy tales."

Jimmy chuckled. "Ivy and I are just friends. Would you feel the same if one of your children fell in love with Cinderella?"

Amelia looked at Baxter and frowned. "He needs a powerful wife by his side as he becomes the face of the Kane family. Fairy tale love won't support him. He needs an equal. A partner."

Jimmy frowned. "Ivy is intelligent. I would be proud to have her by my side."

"Then why are you just friends?" Amelia smiled.

Jimmy chuckled. "Because I'm a playboy. She needs a prince."

He felt like a child again as his mother scolded, "Fairy tales don't exist. Just ask Tate?" Amelia walked away and left the three frowning at her back.

"That was painful." Jimmy looked at Baxter.

"I think she gave you her blessing. Congratulations." His flat response reflected the emptiness he felt inside. Asked and answered. Tate could marry a reality TV star, and Baxter had to choose a perfect socialite and suffer through a loveless marriage. Maybe Priscilla was right about his small penis.

Ivy wouldn't even make eye contact with him. Jimmy cleared his throat. "I'm going for a drink. Keep my date company for me."

Baxter nodded and watched Jimmy walk away. She whispered. "I'm sorry. Jimmy shouldn't have asked, but now I proved my point."

"Jimmy is a great guy. He'll keep you happy."

Ivy shook her head. "He won't." She brushed his wrist with her fingertips. "Feel that. Will either of us find that elsewhere?"

He shut his eyes and savored the physical chemistry they shared. Baxter jerked his head around at Jimmy's voice. "You two look serious."

"We're discussing some union business. Ms. Krasinski has very sound ideas."

Jimmy smiled. "I'm helping her contact some firms in Boston." He looked around. "I see some partners here tonight. Let me introduce you."

Baxter watched her walk away. He wanted to hate his friend, but he had tossed her aside. He wished he could leave, but he had arrived with his family.

A commotion across the room caught his attention. Tate had Leonard's arm behind his back. He rushed to his sister at the same time as Jimmy and Ivy.

"Tate, let the snake go."

Her teeth gritted. "Don't touch me again." She dropped her hand.

His red face looked like his head might pop off. Jimmy stepped forward and whispered in the angry man's ear. When he stepped away, he looked at Tate. "You okay, kid."

"Just great." Jimmy took her elbow. "We should go. Come on."

Baxter and Ivy walked behind the other two. Jimmy liked to play the hero. He had been flying to Seattle to see his cousin because she had married the wrong man, and then he stepped in to save Tate, when Baxter's sister had the situation under control.

As they reached the curb, Jimmy walked over to a hire car. Baxter asked, "Where's your chauffeur?"

"Retired. I hire Georgie on weekends if I need to go out." Jimmy ushered Tate and then Ivy in the backseat. "I'll sit up front."

As Baxter entered the backseat, Ivy's scent overpowered him. She was right next to him and he resisted the urge to take her hand.

"Tate, are you alright? Who was that man?" Ivy's attention was on his sister.

"A pig who tried to touch my breasts."

Jimmy sneered. "He'll pay."

Baxter wanted to lighten the mood. "Do you hire a car every weekend?"

"Only for events or to go to Dover. I walk or take the subway around the city."

Tate scoffed, "You do not!"

"We have, together." Ivy turned to him in the dark car.

Baxter felt jealous of Ivy and Jimmy doing regular people's things, like they had in Aspen.

"Do you want to stop by for a drink?"

Baxter considered being with her longer. Tate answered, "No, I want to go home. Walnut Street."

Ivy's arm brushed his thigh. He felt it in his pants. "Come in for a drink." He wanted to lure her behind closed doors with the pretext of discussing the union.

Ivy looked at her friend. "Tate, do you want to talk about it?"

"Ivy, it's not a big deal. It's like when you danced with Priscilla's cousin."

"But won't there be photos online?"

"The old boys' network is too powerful." Jimmy grunted.

"My parents will be happy. They don't like the publicity," Baxter added.

Tate mumbled. "Tell that to the reality star and junkie."

Baxter had the desire to defend the twins. Doyle used, but junkie was a harsh word. "She's not shooting up in dark alleys. She's partying with rich people."

"There's a fine line there. Bax, you know your siblings are like mine. I'd do anything to protect them."

Tate scoffed. Baxter changed the subject to avoid some ancient history which was neither Tate nor Jimmy's fault. "Is anyone hungry? We could raid the kitchen."

Tate laughed. "Baxter wants to cook."

Jimmy chuckled. "I'm in. If I didn't already have a chef, I would hire you."

"I have a job."

Ivy leaned in reminding his dick she was there. "Which job would you prefer?"

By giving the driver the Walnut Street address, Jimmy drowned out her question. In Baxter's mind, it led to a bigger question he couldn't consider.

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