The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

31 - The city

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."