When Ivy walked into class, Tyler said, "If it isn't the belle of the ball."

She shrugged. "So I attended a charity event."

He had his phone out. "Baxter's sweetheart, Baxvy, stupid word."

"I didn't make it up. I'd be just as happy to have some privacy."

He shook his head. "Not a chance. Not when you hang around with the cool kids."

She laughed. "The cool kids. You sound so high school."

"And you're so sophisticated dating a Kane. You know he'll dump you."

"You sound jealous because you didn't get invited to the gala."

"Who would want to go? My father did and your tough guy told him I outed you."

"Tough guy?"

"Sinclair."

"I don't control Jimmy and you did out me. Is daddy unhappy?"

He turned away abruptly. A few more weeks and she would never see him again.

When she left her second class, she had text messages from Tate. She was angry about the lack of privacy. Ivy hoped it wasn't about Duncan. She tapped on the link to see her face. One was from Saturday and the other was from her class which explained Tate's remark about contacting the school. She looked awful again. Why would she dress up for class? There was a girl in front of her in flannel pajama pants. The comments were nasty. Why were people so mean?

She called Tate, but she didn't answer. Eleanor answered her phone. "Ivy, are you okay?"

"Tell Tate to ignore it. Don't bother the university."

"I think she's on the phone now."

She looked at the picture, and it looked worse because he goaded her into a scowl. She looked like the ugly stepsister caption.

As she walked across campus, students yelled out comments, but she blocked them. Out of nowhere like a stalker, Baxter and Macintyre appeared. Ivy stopped walking when she saw him.

He smiled. "Hey, beautiful."

"What are you doing here? You should be working."

"Some things are more important. Are you going to stand there or would you like to kiss me?"

She smiled, and he took three large strides to match her shorter ones. He put his hands on her cheeks and kissed her. It was much too short, but probably best since they had an audience. When he pulled back, he put his forehead against hers. "You look beautiful dressed in rags. In fact, you look beautiful without being dressed at all."

She laughed and swatted him. He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground. She put her lips on his.

Two hours later, a video of them kissing had gone viral. After Ivy watched it for the fifth time, she looked up at Elena. "It looks like a scene from a romcom."

"If anyone doubts he loves you, they're blind."

"I wonder what his mother thinks."

"We rarely stay this long, but we'll be here until the new year because of Sarah. The holidays will be hard this year. I plan to see Amelia at various events. Maybe I can talk sense into her."

"Don't make her angry."

"Mother to mother."

Elena was a strong woman who lost a child. The two mothers were very different. "You came from wealth and have a happy marriage."

She smiled. "We married for love. There were no business deals dependant on our union. My family acquired their wealth in the industrial revolution. There are businesses that have added to it, but my father was an academic. I grew up out of the limelight until I went to Smith and met the Amherst boys."

"Boys?" Ivy smiled. "Like the jerk in my classes?"

She nodded. "Most were, but when I came to Boston and met my Joey, I knew he was different. He was more serious."

"Like Jimmy?" Ivy laughed.

"Yes. A hard shell but soft inside."

"Baxter is different."

"Our Baxter has always taken care of his siblings. It makes him softer."

Ivy smiled. Not all of him was soft. He had been worried about going soft, since he would rather stay in bed with her than go exercise.

Ivy's phone rang. "My mother."

"Talk to her. I need to check in with Sarah."

Ivy stood and walked into the entrance hall. "Hi mom."

"Darling, you are all over my phone."

"I know. He's not a movie star. He's just rich."

"There's no such thing as just rich."

"Mom, you have an opinion of him, but you don't know him."

"I know the type."

"How did you fall in love, if you hate the type?"

Ellen let out a loud sigh. "They're taught to say the right things. It was impossible not to fall in love, but it wasn't real."

"Baxter and I are real. Did you see the video?"

"It's hard to miss."

"Mom, if your love wasn't real, why don't you love daddy?"

"I love your father."

"But you argue all the time."

"That the stress of life trying to pay the bills and keep up with the housework. I'm under valued and not appreciated."

"I value and appreciate you. Please be happy for me. I'd like you to meet him."

"He'll take one look at our house and make excuses why it won't work."

"No. He won't." The thought of Baxter seeing their worn out home made her uneasy. "We can stop by. You don't have to stress out over preparing a meal."

"You're embarrassed."

"No. I'm trying to save you from the extra work. We could cook for you."

Ellen laughed. "You mean you, not we."

"Actually, I mean him more than me."

"You're pulling my leg."

Ivy laughed. "Baxter is a great cook. I'll talk to him."

"Darling, please don't get hurt."

"Then support my relationship because I intend to marry Baxter."

Darling!"

"Please, mom!"

"I'll meet him, but I reserve judgment."

"Fine. Just don't judge harshly." Tired of going in circles, she said goodbye and ended the call.

Tate didn't invite them to view Kasper's show. With the twins away, Tate's mother had guilted her into watching at the house. Baxter shrugged. "We can watch it together."

They were in their bedroom at the Sinclair's. While Ivy read over her class notes, Baxter reviewed some paperwork.

Ivy smiled. "I have a suggestion."

"Danielle's watching with Tate."

Ivy nodded. "Have they always been close friends?"

Baxter paused. "No. I think it's a few things. You and I, but also after getting dumped she needed friends she could trust."

"I tried." She frowned as she wondered if she had tried hard enough.

"I didn't mean you. It's the others, Faith and the rest. They're all like Priscilla. What was your idea? Jimmy's away all week."

"We should watch with Eleanor." She held her hand up. "Before you say anything. Let me make my case."

"Yes, counselor." He smirked.

"First, she is not your direct report. I believe you said that you weren't even the boss's boss."

"Using my words against me. What else?"

She smiled. "We both know you wouldn't be the first Kane to visit her house. And last, it is my house too."

"I thought you moved in here."

"Not permanently."

He frowned. "Did you ask her?"

"No, but I will. Oh by the way, it's time you meet my parents. I suggested we cook a meal for them."

He smirked. "Where are we cooking?"

"At my house." She smiled.

He sighed. "Okay, but I think it's time to find a place for us."

"Us? Together?"

He nodded. "I can't sleep without you."

Ivy felt a dip of excitement in her tummy. She had changed from the girl in Aspen who held onto each minute knowing there would never be more. The new Ivy dreamed of a future. It wasn't a perfect fairytale, but her prince loved her. She didn't want to suffer the fate of her mother or Eleanor.

"I'll call Eleanor."

Baxter reached out and put his hand on her wrist. "Wait until morning. She may have company. You can call her at work."

"Are you sure the boss won't mind?"

He laughed as he attempted to tickle her. "I'll boss you."

"Uncle. Uncle. Seriously!"

"What? What's wrong?" He frowned.

"Doesn't it bother you? What your father is doing."

He pressed his lips together. "Yes. No. I put myself in his shoes. I would do anything to be with you, although I would never marry anyone else."

"Where's the cross now?"

"My father has it. I don't see Doyle or Kasper wanting it. I don't want to think about who they would fall in love with. A guitarist and a model."

"They could be nice. Maybe you should plant it on them. Their drama might distract your mother from us."

"You and Jimmy would make a good pair. I'm not ruining their lives, besides she only cares about me, the oldest."

"The crowned prince."

"You're my princess." He put his folders down. "Are you finished? I'd like to ravish you, princess."

Ivy called Eleanor at home early the next morning. "Is everything okay?" The older woman panicked.

"Yes, why wouldn't it be."

"It's early."

"Baxter told me not to call last night. Do you want company to watch the finale?"

"Oh, darling, you don't want to watch with me. Watch with young people."

"Do you have a date?" Ivy knew it was Philip, but prior Eleanor had mentioned seeing someone.

"No, he's stopped coming by. It's over." Eleanor sobbed.

"I'm so sorry. No one deserves the pain of a broken heart twice."

She sniffed. "You know he wasn't mine. He..."

"I suspected. It may not be the right thing to do, but I would think of Baxter as mine. If he married another woman, I would know he loved me first. My heart breaks for you."

"Baxter won't. He's a good man."

Better than his father. "Let me know, I can come over anytime you need a friend."

"Don't worry about me."

But Ivy did. She worried about her future too. Why did Philip stop seeing Ellie and what did it mean for Baxter?

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