At Elena's insistence, Ivy went home and packed to stay at the Sinclair's through the weekend. "We can get ready for the gala together. You have a dress?"

Ivy nodded and blushed. "Jimmy bought me some."

"I wish it were my son, but I saw you and Baxter after the funeral."

"We're going to Tate's to watch Kasper."

"I don't understand why Amelia is happy with her youngest son, but not her oldest. I would love Jimmy if he decided he wanted to quit work and collect garbage."

Ivy laughed. "He's likely to embarrass you with his business dealings."

"I try not to listen. My son is devious."

Loyal and devious. What girl would want that rolled into a handsome body? Probably a greedy one, no wonder Jimmy liked being a bachelor.

When she entered Tate's apartment, Baxter and Dani hadn't arrived. The other woman spent more time with Baxter than Ivy, but she had seen the way they interacted. Ivy and Baxter had enough barriers without jealousy. Baxter was fighting for her. He proved his love when he didn't use a condom. Ivy didn't think sex could get better, but it did. It was amazing, and she tingled just thinking of it.

Kasper put his arm around her. "How're you doing, mystery girl named?"

That was one of the trending hashtags associated with her. "It was bound to happen. I don't need a bodyguard."

"Poor Macintyre is underappreciated. For the record, I'd sleep with him."

"Doyle! Mac would get fired." Kasper glared at his twin.

"He's very loyal to Baxter." Ivy knew he would protect Baxvy, another trending hashtag.

"Too bad Mother isn't." Doyle stamped her foot. "I'm taking photos backstage for a grunge band and hoping to score a new boyfriend."

Tate gritted her teeth. "Don't."

"Why? I can use my relationship as leverage for Baxter and Ivy."

Tate frowned. "You pick the worst guys. Worse than me."

Ivy bit into a slice of pizza. If only his parents were as accepting as his siblings. The conversation turned to gowns for the gala. Ivy showed Tate pictures of her two choices. "I've worn them both."

"No one will notice."

Kasper laughed. "Google will. She can't be on Jimmy's arm then with Baxter in the same dress."

She frowned. "I'll just stay home."

Doyle jumped forward. "Let's find a new one for Bax to buy."

Ivy bit her lip. "Elena said she would take me shopping."

Tate said, "Elena, really?"

Ivy nodded. "Mrs. Sinclair has been very nice."

When Baxter and Dani arrived together, Dani received the largest greeting, except from Ivy who used her lips to say hello to the other arrival. A whistle from Kasper separated them and Ivy hid her face against Baxter who rubbed her back. "You're just jealous, I found my true love."

"Shush! The show is starting." Tate turned up the TV.

Baxter's arm pulled Ivy in as they sat together. After the hour, Kasper had earned a spot in the finale.

He smiled. "Who said I was going home right away?" A few hands went up. "Disbelievers."

Doyle said, "Who thinks he'll win?"

No hands went up. "Thanks a lot." Kasper frowned.

Doyle said, "Who thinks Mother will accept Ivy?"

Only Baxter's hand went up. Ivy frowned. Doyle assured her it was a vote against their mother not her.

In the car on the way back to the Sinclair house, Baxter sat quietly. Ivy squeezed his hand. "How was your day?"

"Busy. Fine."

"You were quiet all night."

"We were watching my brother."

Charles greeted them and they went straight upstairs since Jimmy was traveling and his parents had retired. Once in their room, Baxter undressed. Ivy sat in a chair and watched him.

"Are you tired?" He shook his head. Her stomach felt sour. "Are you mad at me?"

He looked up at her. "What? No." He sighed.

"I'm grasping."

He sat on the bed and patted next to him. "Sit here. I saw them together."

"Who?" She braced herself for the answer she expected. "My father and Eleanor. What's she been like lately?"

Ivy shrugged. "I never see her and I'm here most of the time." He nodded. "Why?"

"I think my mother knows about them or is holding something over my father. That's why he's letting her control things."

"Are you going to confront him?"

He shook his head. "No. I almost didn't tell you, but we're a team. I told you we have time, but I don't want to hurt Eleanor."

"So, we what?"

"We wait, but we're together and that's what matters."

"And we go to your mother's gala?"

He nodded. "I have an extra seat at my table. I plan to invite Eleanor."

"Why would you?"

"Because she's been good to you and she's a loyal employee."

"But your mother?"

"She deserves the embarrassment. I've invited other employees."

"Secretaries?"

"Danielle."

"Can I stay home?"

"No." He pulled her close. "I want to dance with you." His lips found her neck. She sighed.

When he pulled back, she smiled. "I need your money."

He smirked. "Why?"

"Because I've been photographed with Jimmy in every gown I own. I need a Baxter gown."

"I'm partial to the one you borrowed from Tate. The one that made you look half nude."

She closed her eyes. "I was so afraid to wear it. Dani talked me into it."

"Find something sexy."

"Elena is taking me shopping."

"Perfect. Can we forget everything except each other?" He kissed her lips tenderly. "I just want to hold you."

"I need to change."

Baxter wore only his boxers, but she was still in her jeans. When she went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, he followed her. Together they stood at the double sinks.

It was hard to believe he was a stranger eight months before. Ivy knew his heart as much as her own and smiled as she watched him tap his toothbrush to get the excess water off after he rinsed it. He turned and left before she changed into one of his old tee shirts.

When she slid into the bed, he gathered her up. She started to talk but stopped.

"What?"

"When it's the two of us alone, none of it matters."

"None of what?"

"My background, your huge house and important job. We both brush our teeth."

"I use the bathroom just like everyone else."

"I know." She laughed.

"Sweetheart, love is about the day to day."

She nodded. "What I was trying to say is that you show me a piece of yourself no one else sees."

"The real me. The private me is always yours." Baxter kissed her head.

"Exactly. I love you."

He groaned. "I said I only wanted to hold you, but I changed my mind." He straddled her. "Lift." He pushed up her shirt. "I know you. Every inch of you."

He touched and kissed every inch, before he entered her. I love you were her last words as her breath caught and she sailed off into oblivion.

He chuckled. "Now I'll hold you."

Elena's driver took them to a small boutique Ivy didn't know existed. When they stepped inside, she saw accessories, but no gowns. She didn't have time to go to multiple stores.

A woman dressed nicer than Ivy had for her internship smiled at them. "Mrs. Sinclair, you look radiant. I was so pleased to see you as my first appointment." Appointment? Who made appointments to shop? "I'm even more pleased to see your friend."

Ivy's eyes grew wide. "You know who I am?"

"Oh course dear. I'm excited to dress you in person. You looked lovely in Tate Kane's gown, and I tried to make the right selections for you, but seeing you in person the black one wasn't for you."

"It was." She wasn't sure. "It was right to be by Jimmy's side."

"But I assume you'll be by Mr. Kane's side." Ivy blushed.

Elena smiled. "They're a beautiful couple. Jimmy is a good friend. He took Ivy out to make Baxter jealous. Some men need a fire under them."

The woman chuckled. Elena could have been a lawyer. Her last comment packed a punch. She wondered how trustworthy the tall silver-haired woman was. Interestingly, she didn't look old. "I'm Katerina Popov. How many gowns do you need?"

Need? Are gowns a necessity? "I assume you know I'm Ivy Krasinski. I only need one."

Elena waved her hand in descent. "You should find a few extras. Then you only have to call to have one delivered the next time."

"Absolutely. With the holidays around the corner, you'll need quite a few."

Ivy put her hands on her cheeks. "This is overwhelming."

"That's my job to make it less overwhelming."

They moved to another room with plush seats and mirrors all around. A door opened to a large dressing room. Ivy spent the next half an hour trying on gown after gown. When she stepped out each time, she looked to Elena for a simple thumbs up or down. Katerina nodded in concurrence. The cross might have been magical, but the unique woman was as well or at least very talented.

Elena smiled when Ivy had more gowns than she would ever wear. "It's like I have a daughter."

Six gowns hung in a row while Ivy dressed, the others discussed them. She heard snippets for a holiday party, for New Year's Eve. She hadn't thought of seeing in the new year with Baxter. Most years, she watched movies alone. Sometimes she went out with Freya.

"Which one for the gala?"

Ivy looked at Elena. "What do you think?"

She smiled. "I thought you were stunning in gold. You should make a splash the first time you're with Baxter."

"I liked mystery girl better."

Both women laughed. "You are a breath of fresh air, Mrs. Kane must love you."

Ivy felt a sour roll in her tummy. Elena smiled. "She and the girls are like sisters already." Ivy smiled and nodded. Katerina had stepped away with Ivy's dress. Elena put her hand on Ivy's arm. "I don't trust her completely. So be careful when you're here."

She returned with two gowns in cloth bags. "Mrs. Sinclair, you'll be pleased with yours."

"You didn't try it on?" Ivy didn't understand rich people.

"I trust Katerina."

The woman smiled. "Mr. Kane's assistant called with the payment information. She has an appointment too. He must be a very good employer."

Ivy smiled, but inside she felt a frown. Had she known Dani wasn't borrowing from Tate? "He rewards loyal people."

As they walked into the front room, Elena smiled and nodded. "Do you need anything? This bag would look perfect." Ivy saw the price tag, but Elena smiled. "My gift for your birthday."

Her birthday was in February. She was laughing as another customer entered.

"Oh Elena, you look wonderful. And Ivy." Mrs. Kane kept a smile on her face. "I'm so glad Katerina is dressing you."

"She's going to look stunning on Baxter's arm. You'll feel very proud."

Amelia smiled. "I'm always proud of my son."

Ivy knew the women were putting on a show for Katrina, but she sensed the mother's love for her son. "And he loves his mother. It's lovely to see you..."

"But we have another appointment."

The driver came to the door and took the dress bags to carry to the car. Once they sunk into the warm backseat, Elena sighed. "That was interesting. She won't cause trouble for you at the gala."

Ivy thought of Eleanor and wasn't as certain. Baxter trusted her, so she needed to trust him.

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