Everything changed in one weekend, but so much stayed the same. Ivy was still going to classes and waiting to hear if she would have a job. Meanwhile, Baxter Kane loved her.

It might be hard to believe, but she saw him or talked to him every day. They spent more time together in his office at Kane Properties than they had working together on the union negotiation. They didn't just work, but they never made love.

Arriving at Tate's apartment together to watch Kasper's show, they faced his sibling's teasing.

Doyle kept calling them cute. When they sat next to each other, Baxter put his arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear. Ivy wished they still weren't touching, because she desperately wanted him with no place for privacy.

Kasper blushed as he flirted his way into a trust relationship with a half naked female contestant named Juniper.

"Be careful or you'll have a target on your back." Dani warned.

There were money wagers on how soon they would kick him off the island. Ivy stayed out of it. Baxter whispered, "I'll front you."

She shook her head. "I don't want to bet against your brother."

Kasper smiled. "Ivy's on my side. I like her. Maybe I should have fought Jimmy."

"You were too late. Thirty minutes after Silly broke up with him, Baxter and Ivy were alone in his office."

"Danielle. Trust." Baxter warned as she clamped her mouth.

Tate said, "They were working."

Ivy giggled. "Not really."

"Bax, you're a dog." Doyle patted him on the back.

"Shhh. I'm watching Kasper's show."

Ivy whispered in his ear. "It's okay. They're just teasing."

Kasper made it through another episode and Ivy didn't argue about a ride. She wanted to be alone with Baxter. As soon as they were both in the backseat, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you."

He laughed. "We've been together all evening."

"I miss this." She captured his lips, and he responded as she pressed herself into him. "Mac, drive around."

"Yes, Miss." With a hum the privacy shield went up between the front and back seat.

Baxter groaned. "We can't. I don't have anything."

"Maybe you should or even better you should trust me. I'm on birth control. We love each other. Trust is part of it."

"I know, but I can't take the chance."

"You do with condoms. They can break."

"Then your pills are a backup. Sweetheart, I practically signed a contract in blood when I hit puberty."

"You did not."

"My mother harped on us every day."

"I can't believe the woman I met talks about sex every day."

"She did for years. I'm not sure she even has sex anymore, but she knows her kids do."

"Why are you frowning?" Ivy kissed his pensive face on his cheek and then his lips.

"My father is out a lot. Maybe I'm just more aware. Do you think he's with the mystery Ellie?"

"She's not my mother." It was Ivy's turn to frown.

Baxter kissed her pout. "What's wrong?"

"I told my mother we're together."

"And?"

"She didn't sound happy."

"Sweetheart, are you happy?"

"When I believe you. I have doubts too. I love you too much to lose you."

"We can live comfortably if I never make another cent."

"You would resent me."

"Never. I would resent the people who try to keep us apart. How about we go see your parents?"

Ivy's belly did flips. "I'd be embarrassed for you to see my house."

"I don't care."

"It's too soon. After your parents know. Otherwise, my mother won't believe you."

He groaned. "Why is love so hard?"

She hugged him, and he buried his face in her neck. His vibrating phone pulled them apart. "Jimmy."

"Answer it. See how he is."

She listened as Baxter greeted his friend. "Tonight. I'm with Ivy." Baxter turned to her. "He wants me or us to stop by."

Ivy had worried about their friend. "Okay, but not too late."

"If it gets late. Macintyre can take you home." He lowered the screen. "Can you take us to Sinclairs?"

"Yes, sir."

Ivy giggled. "So proper."

"Our staff is not like Jimmy's. Percy has a personality."

"Do you know Percy's first name?"

"John. Why?"

"Just wondering. Do you know Mac's name?" He shook his head. "Brendan, but he goes by Mac with his friends, right Mac?"

"Yes, Miss. Only my mother calls me Brendan."

"When did you learn that?"

"Unlike you I converse with your driver."

"You're nice to everyone." He kissed her neck. "And you smell so good."

They held each other until the car stopped. Ivy climbed out first. She hadn't been to Jimmy's house before. Baxter pressed the formidable bell and Charles answered. "Good evening. Mr. Sinclair is in the parlor."

Ivy smiled and thought of Clue. "Miss. Scarlett in the parlor with the rope."

Baxter chuckled, but stopped when he saw Jimmy. He looked pale and thinner. Ivy stepped forward. "Jimmy." He didn't bother standing, so she leaned over and hugged him.

"Hi, princess. Seeing you two together is a sight for sore eyes."

Baxter nodded. "Do you need me to freshen up your drink?"

"Please. Ivy, drink scotch with us."

She smiled. "I'll sip from Baxter's."

Once Baxter sat next to Ivy, Jimmy took a long sip. "It's a mess and I feel like I'm failing."

"I'm sure you aren't."

"My cousin's husband is in love with her friend. He called her up while she was grieving. Uncle Grant must be dancing in heaven."

"The husband sounds awful. Don't they have a child?" Ivy asked.

"Yes, Shaun's staying with her mother. I want to make the jerk pay for hurting her."

"The new woman must have money. He tried to hit me up for some scheme."

"After the funeral?" Ivy felt angry.

"He split after they read the will and he found out they got nothing."

"He didn't leave his daughter anything?" Baxter frowned.

Jimmy smiled. "I think you're right. I should find out more about the other woman."

Ivy hated revenge, but didn't dare upset Jimmy. "How's your aunt?"

"Strong, but lost at the same time. I'm glad Shaun will be with her. I've been neglecting business."

"Work might be good for you."

"Thanks for stopping by, were you on a date?"

"We watched Kasper's show at Tate's."

"I forgot all about it. How's he doing?"

"So far so good." Ivy let them talk. She felt for Jimmy's cousin to lose her father and her husband. Ivy feared the man she loved would end up with another woman.

Jimmy looked at her. "You look sadder than I feel."

Baxter looked at her. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "It will never work."

Baxter put his forehead to hers. "With Jimmy as my witness, I'll cut out anyone who doesn't support us. I can get another job."

"But it's your legacy. What about Ned?"

"My mother always hated Ned's mother. I think my aunt knows my mother was my father's second choice. I want my first choice and won't choose anyone else."

"Princess, I won't let him. If he doesn't marry you, I will."

"You wouldn't?" Baxter's face looked paler than Jimmy's.

"Don't test me. You know I have no scruples especially when protecting those I love."

"But you love Baxter." Ivy frowned.

"I do, but I also believe in tough love."

As the two men stared. Ivy believed Jimmy really meant it. To break the tension, she said, "If I lived here Charles would smile."

Jimmy turned to her. "You should live here. It'll train you to be Mrs. Kane or Sinclair."

Baxter looked from Jimmy to Ivy. "He's not an employee."

"I'd die before I worked for you." Jimmy glared.

Ivy laughed. "My housemate does and so he won't come over."

"Baxter is always welcome here. It's a big house with big beds." He winked.

Ivy put her hands on her hot cheeks. Baxter stood up and reached his hand out. "Did you hear that? Charles, point the way?"

Ivy pushed his hand away. "We couldn't."

"Think about it. It would make me happy. I have a lot of traveling ahead of me. It would give Charles and the others purpose."

Ivy felt overwhelmed, but Jimmy had some color in his face as he tried to convince her. "I'll think about it. I want to know who the bimbo is."

"What?"

"Tate said you were out with one on Saturday night."

Jimmy sighed. "For less than an hour. My mother insisted I represent the family. Haven't you read about our breakup?"

"Honestly, I've been too busy. Who was your date?"

Jimmy smiled. "One-eight-hundred rent a date."

"No!" Ivy thought of Baxter's assumptions in Aspen.

"Don't worry, Princess. She's legit with no side arrangement. I'm in mourning."

Baxter laughed. "Most are always willing to earn an extra tip."

Ivy glared. "You too!"

"Not me."

Jimmy said, "I'll vouch for him. He's the one who taught me to meet them at the event and put them in the car when it's over. She looked good on my arm for long enough to be seen. Now we've broken up, so you can date Baxter."

"I'll never understand your life." She pointed to Jimmy and then Baxter.

He frowned. "My life is your life."

"Come stay here and you'll learn to navigate it."

Baxter said, "Tate can help you."

Ivy never thought of Tate living the same life. She didn't hire men as dates or make impactful business decisions. She read contracts all day which was boring. When Ivy yawned, Jimmy told Baxter to take her home. It was only ten, but studying and socializing were taking a toll on her. Maybe it was the stress of borrowed time. As much as she wanted to believe Baxter that all would be alright, she couldn't.

Reluctantly, she left his arms and climbed out of the car. Mac smiled at her as he bid her a good evening. Maybe she was changing, because when she was in Baxter's arms the driver might as well have been invisible. She didn't worry about what he knew or thought.

Eleanor greeted her when she stepped into the house. "What's wrong? Kasper did well."

Ivy smiled. "He did. We went to see Jimmy. He broke up with me."

Eleanor laughed. "It's a good thing because you're spending a lot of time with Baxter."

Ivy rolled her eyes. "You know it was never like that with me and Jimmy."

"I know, honey. I was teasing."

"Why do people care who I date? Six months ago, I was a student living with her parents. I'm not anyone special."

"Baxter Kane thinks you are."

Ivy paced. "We don't belong together."

"He thinks differently. He loves you. If I could go back in time, I would fight for the man I loved. You don't need a time machine to fight for yours."

Ivy sighed. "I want him but don't want to cause a rift with his family. Meanwhile, Jimmy asked me to move into his house. He said Baxter is welcome anytime."

"I'm not a prude. He can stay over."

She shook her head. "He won't because you're an employee. Why do so many people not end up with their true loves?"

"I'm sure it's not that many."

Ivy paused. And held up a finger. "There's you and my mother." Another finger. "And Mr. Kane." She had three fingers up. "Of the three he has the happiest marriage. My mother is miserable most of the time and you are divorced."

"I have my boys and I'm sure your mother is glad she has you." Baxter's father had four children. The next generation was repeating the sins of their parents.

"I haven't told her much about Baxter."

"She'll be happy when she learns he's a good man who treats you special."

"Do you think his mother will be happy?"

Eleanor frowned. "I hardly knew Mrs. Kane. She strikes me as the type of woman who cares about appearances, but she's a mother. Hopefully, she'll put her child's happiness first."

"Hopefully," Ivy muttered. "Goodnight."

"Sweet dreams, honey. Of Baxter."

Ivy smiled. "If I'm lucky. Do you still dream of your love?"

"I do. He's in here." She tapped her heart.

Ivy frowned. They were two of a kind. Would their futures be different? It was strange how she met a friend like her mother. As she entered her room, she looked at her phone. Baxter had texted: goodnight, my love.

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