Roan suddenly adds, “We also live in the same apartment building. Lexie is going out with my roommate, Dylan.”
“Well, that’s nice. You two must see quite a bit of each other then.”
I shrug. Obviously my father thinks we’ve got a thing going on between us. I’m not sure if I should disabuse him of this notion or not. Just as I’m contemplating what to do, Roan shifts his body towards mine before sliding an arm around my shoulders. My dad’s lips lift as the back door is thrown open and little feet pound their way into the house. It’s doubtful a herd of stampeding elephants could make as much noise as those two.
“I guess they’re home.”
My dad gets up, going to the kitchen to meet Leah. I hear her ask if we’ve already arrived. Then their voices lower and I can’t hear anything more. I’m not sure if we should follow him into the kitchen or not, so I opt for staying put on the couch.
Roan squeezes my shoulder with the arm that’s wrapped around me. “You doing okay?”
I blow out a long slow breath wishing we could just get up and make a run for it. “I want to get out of here,” I finally mutter.
He nods as those gorgeous eyes of his fill with a mixture of sympathy and compassion. Two emotions I never thought I’d see from him. I actually feel staggered by the weight of his stare. By what I see reflected within those bright depths of his.
“I know,” he finally replies. Then he says the most unexpected thing. “But I’m here with you, Ivy. And so far, everything is going smoothly.” Leaning closer, his lips brush softly against my temple.
If I’d thought I was staggered by the look in his eyes, his words blow me away. I open my mouth to say something… what exactly- I don’t know… but no sound comes out. Which is a first.
Thankfully I’m saved from myself and the strange feelings he’s provoking within me when my dad, Leah, and the kids join us in the living room. Nora and Nolan race from the kitchen, their feet pounding the hardwood floor with every step they take. There are huge brilliant smiles wreathing their faces like its Christmas morning or their birthdays or both, all rolled up into one. They’re practically vibrating with pent up excitement. When they see us sitting on the couch, they all but skid to a halt which is kind of comical.
My dad says to the twins, “Remember your sister, Ivy? The one who lived in Paris?”
They stare silently at him and my heart plummets to the tips of my toes right before jackhammering painfully. Why would he point out in front of everyone that they have no clue who I am?
But then Nora runs over to an end table and grabs a silver framed photograph with her chubby little fingers. Showing my dad and Leah who both smile down at her, she hesitantly shuffles her way towards me with a shy little smile curving her cherub-like lips upwards.
As I stare down at the photo of myself at my high school graduation, she points to me and says, “Ivy.”
Why that should suddenly have tears welling in my eyes is beyond me. But it does. I can’t help but give a thin wobbly smile in return as I feel Roan softly stroke his hand over my jean clad thigh before giving it a gentle squeeze. Clearing my throat, I say, “Yep, that’s me. Ivy.”
She bestows a big bright smile on me and my heart, the one I thought was stone cold where these two kids are concerned, begins to thaw.
Leah steps forward, her hand going to Nora’s shoulder. “We’ve missed you, Ivy. I’m really glad you were able to make it home today.” Then she introduces herself and the kids to Roan.
Apparently not wanting to be left out, Nolan suddenly yells, “Cake!”
Leah shushes him and my dad laughs before both the twins scamper their way into the kitchen screaming wildly right before the chanting begins.
“Cake, cake, cake!”
Leah smiles at me. “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.” She nods her head towards the back of the house. “How about we take this to the kitchen? The kids have something to show you.”
Roan and I follow my dad and Leah. His eyes search mine as if silently asking again if I’m doing okay. I give him a small smile in response. As soon as we pass through the doorjamb into the sun filled kitchen, the twins jump up and down yelling, “surprise!” Or rather some garbled version of it.
Their excitement and sheer happiness are infectious and I can’t help but grin in earnest as I glance around the room. Roan slides his arm around my waist as I take in all the balloons and the banner hanging up that reads- Welcome Home, Ivy! And who could miss the cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower that now has a huge swipe taken out of it.