Ivy considered canceling about ten times, but Eleanor kept calming her down. "Honey, you've been out with him before, so what will be different about this time?"

"I might fall for him more."

She laughed. "I doubt that's even possible."

Ivy knew she was right. He was on her mind constantly. When they invited her back for a team interview, the first thing she wanted to do was tell Baxter. Instead, she called her mother. Ellen asked if she had seen Baxter. Ivy had so many questions about her mother's first love, but was afraid to ask. Her mother, knowing Baxter's father, surprised her. How much did children really know about their parents? Had her father had a girlfriend in highschool? Was her mother his second choice too? Anyone except Baxter would always be her second choice.

Jimmy finally replied to her texts. He was busy working and supporting his family. Ivy tried to imagine if her father was suddenly gone. Would her mother feel relieved or sad? Ivy loved him even though he defined his life with money struggles. The hardworking man had provided the basic necessities and loved her. She felt sad just thinking about it.

She had watched the second episode of Kasper walking around without a shirt with Eleanor. The youngest Kane stayed on the island, and she wondered if Baxter watched it. They could talk about Kasper's show on their date. She worried the conversation would stall and they would discover they were only good at having sex. They were fantastic at sex.

Ivy wore a dress that was not as short or as tight as the one she wore on the sailboat. It was a wrap dress she had bought to wear to work. She liked the way it looked on her and the deep green complimented her brown eyes. She paced back and forth waiting for the car. When Baxter said three, it meant quarter after. Finally, the bell rang and her heart jumped. Eleanor laughed. The older woman found her nerves comical.

Ivy glared at her housemate. "Did you forget about when you were young and in love?" The minute she said it she paused. It was true and nothing would change it.

"Have fun!" Eleanor called, laughing.

MacIntyre stood at the car door waiting for her. Inside the luxury town car, Baxter was busy on his phone. He didn't look up immediately, even when she said, "Hello."

Baxter held up a finger. "One sec. Once I send this, I am all yours." She watched his long fingers scroll and tap. When he put his device down, he turned to her. "You look beautiful, and I love when you blush."

She waited for a kiss which didn't come. "Where are we going?"

He shrugged, but a smirk sneaked out. "Just to dinner and a show."

She looked out the window, even with the sun setting earlier each day, it was bright outside. Didn't the wealthy dine late? Growing up, the Krasinskis ate at five-thirty every day, so Carl could watch the six o'clock news. "Isn't it early for dinner?"

He laughed, and she smiled at his beautiful smile. "You'll see. Are we celebrating a job?"

She shook her head. "Another interview."

"Well, that's something. The family agreed to allow a few properties to be converted to multi use. I need to make this work."

"That's good, right?"

He nodded. "Some of them don't trust me. They think I'll mess it up."

"I've seen how dedicated you are. You can't fail."

"I'm dedicated to you, so that means we can't fail."

She shook her head. "We have more obstacles in our way."

Finally, he took her hand. "We can conquer the obstacles together."

When Ivy looked up they were driving away from downtown Boston. "Where are we going?"

Baxter just laughed. "You'll see." Then he leaned in and brushed his lips across hers igniting a burning in her chest. As he deepened the kiss, she no longer cared where they went. A cheap hotel would be okay. Baxter Kane wouldn't dare. She laughed against his lips.

He pulled back. "What's so funny?"

"I just rationed you wouldn't be taking me to a cheap hotel."

He shook his head. "I said to see a show, not for us to be the show for some pervert. Although I plan to make love to you tonight."

Her body hummed and hoped she didn't have to wait too long. They talked about little things while they drove, but his lips kept waylaying the conversation. Ivy didn't mind. She looked out as they approached the airport.

She poked his chest. "Just dinner and a show?"

He smiled from ear to ear. "I didn't say in Boston."

She laughed. "This is outlandish. I'm used to dinner at Olive Garden."

"If I get my way, you'll never eat at an inferior chain restaurant again."

"You are such a snob. Have you ever eaten at any?"

"I've had McDonald's."

She cocked her head. "A Happy Meal when you were six?"

"God, no. My mother would never allow it. At night after too much to drink."

She laughed. "Some day, I should take you on a poor man's date."

"I'll go on any date with you." His words sent goosebumps down her neck as he nuzzled into it. "I love your neck."

She laughed but wished he loved all of her. Once the car stopped, Ivy followed him into the executive terminal. She hadn't known what to expect on her first trip out of the terminal. She certainly had the wrong impression of Jimmy Sinclair. Little did she know her first plane trip would change her life.

Baxter looked at his watch. "The plane should be ready. I regretted not flying with you. When Kasper told me you flew back together, I was jealous."

"You never got jealous. Jimmy tried."

He shook his head. "I did even when he told me his scheme."

"Scheme sounds ominous."

"I kept thinking you would fall for him."

"Maybe I would have." She winked. "But he never kissed me. A proper gentleman."

"Unlike me." She threw her head back and laughed. Before she could respond, he took her arm and led her out the door.

The same pilot stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Good afternoon, Mr. Kane. Welcome aboard, Miss. We should have a smooth flight down to the city."

"The city?"

"New York City, Miss."

She smiled as Baxter led her into the luxurious plane. "I could get spoiled."

He laughed. "That's my plan so you'll always want me."

"Want isn't the problem. Your life is the issue."

He ignored her. "Do you want a drink?"

"Just water, thanks."

He nodded. "Sparkling?"

"Okay."

As he poured, he said, "I want my parents to accept you. But let's enjoy our evening."

They sat side by side and waited for takeoff. "My first flight ever was in Jimmy's plane."

Baxter laughed. "You'll have a rude awakening if you ever fly commercial." He took her hand as the plane taxied. The pilot announced they were third for takeoff, but she didn't know how long it would take.

Baxter looked relaxed, but the flying experience was still new to her. "Do you fly a lot?"

"Not like Jimmy, but I did last week."

"Right. You and Dani."

"Tate accused me of having a thing with Danielle, and I almost told her the truth." Ivy shook her head. Baxter squeezed her hand. "She'll find out, eventually."

"She'll hate me."

Baxter silenced her protests. They kissed during takeoff. After a ding, he stood. "Another drink?"

"Okay." Her eyes followed him as he walked. He had a presence that embodied confidence.

"Why me?"

Baxter smiled. "So many reasons. I'll spend the next twenty years sharing them all with you."

She scoffed at the twenty years, if only. Baxter looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He looked adorable. "Maybe I'll have wine." Her palette was getting accustomed to expensive wine.

As Baxter handed her the stemmed glass, he leaned in and lingered on her lips. "Do I taste better than the wine?"

She laughed. "I haven't tasted the wine yet."

"Go ahead. Do you remember what I showed you?"

Ivy swirled the wine in the glass, before inhaling the bouquet. Only then did she take a sip. She smiled. "It's different."

He smiled from ear to ear. "You remember. Do you like it?"

"It's good, but the other will always be my favorite."

After they sat down with their wine, Ivy asked more questions about his family meeting. By the time their conversation ended, she felt like she understood him more.

"So Ned is waiting for you to fail?"

He frowned. "Basically."

"But he doesn't work for the company?"

Baxter shook his head. "He thinks he understands the business, but he's in chip manufacturing. We're a service business."

She bit her lip and looked him in the eye. "You need to make Kane your priority. I need to let you."

He grabbed her hand. "No. You give me a reason to fight. You will be an associate at a Boston firm."

"Junior associate."

"Regardless, I bet you'll continue to work harder than Priscilla. Although she comes from money, in Boston, her family isn't respected."

"I think my mother knew your father."

He frowned. "How?"

Ivy shook her head. "I don't know, but she had fallen in love with a guy whose family didn't approve. He married someone else, and she found my father who would never be her true love. When I mentioned you, she said your reputation was like your fathers. Then she said she met him. I can't imagine Ellen Krasinski traveling in the same circle as Philip Kane."

"Ellen. Does she go by Ellie?"

Ivy shook her head. "No, always Ellen. Why?"

"Just wondering." He looked down and avoided her eyes. The lawyer in Ivy wanted to continue to probe, but she held back. "We'll be landing soon. If you need to freshen up, now is a good time."

"Do I need to?"

He smiled. "You're beautiful, but I might have messed up your hair."

She smiled and reached up and wiped his lips with her thumb. "And my lipstick."

He laughed. "I like being marked by you."

After the plane landed, they entered a waiting car for a drive into the city. As Ivy looked out the window, everything was bigger than in Boston."

"You've never been to New York, have you?"

"No, it's so big and busy." Baxter laughed at her awe.

As they drove into Times Square, he said, "You look like a child on Christmas morning. I love your enthusiasm."

The car pulled up to a curb, and the driver opened the door. Ivy looked up and felt deflated. "You brought me to a hotel?"

He chuckled. "It's not cheap. The restaurant is at the top. The view is amazing."

The lobby was elegant, Ivy tried to take it all in as Baxter ushered her into the elevator. His voice lowered. "I always wanted to kiss you in an elevator, but I couldn't until now."

His lips stifled her laughter. The kiss was tame and much too short since there were others in the elevator. Ivy noticed an older couple join hands and smile at each other. She wanted to be in love her whole life, not just for a snapshot she held in her memory.

"Don't frown. We'll have time later."

She smiled and wondered if they would join the club.

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