“I think he’s finally asleep.” Ivy walked into the living room. “Though what you said about him knowing things from conversations with my friend, then I can’t be sure he’s not listening.” “Is he often like that?” Heath asked Ivy. “I mean ready to gather and use any information he can to get his own way.” They sat face each other across the living room with coffee. “If you’re asking if he’s driven like you? I’m afraid I see more of you in him with every passing day. His ankle was from not watching where he was walking, and he went over on a transition between solid pavement and rubber chips. Sound familiar to anyone you know?” “It distracted me and didn’t realize I was so far out on the patio at the ski resort.” “Yes, I know. You were on your phone talking to Monica.” Ivy could see Heath hadn’t remembered that part or that she knew why he’d walked away from her so quickly. “Ivy, I told you it was work. How did you know i

“Love, I understand. I won’t say it’s not tempting as hell not to pick up the challenge and see if you’ve changed or developed any new interests. But I’m not ready to put you or Geoff in a position where Monica can claim she deserves something because I cheated on her with you. That’s the last thing I want. However, I pose we see how this goes and when Monica is finally gone and can do nothing, we revisit this idea of a second chance.” Heath had no intention of holding back. After this conversation and his divorce was final, he’d consider there was no holds barred between them. But there’s nothing that said he couldn’t flirt and tease her. Warm her up to the idea before then. “Heath, it’s late and I hate it when you and Geoff have your mind set on something and expect everyone, including me, to go along with your plan with no questions asked or objections made.” Heath smiled at that; there she went, calling him out before he said anything about what he thought of this, or

“Remember what you promised.” It surprised ivy when Geoff gathered his crutches. His words stopped her from protesting that Heath took liberties with how he ordered her son around. She didn’t expect Geoff to… Ivy wasn’t sure if he warned or threatened his father. Now she didn’t know who to scold first. “Don’t worry, I remember. I’m just frustrated. Remember what I said about how grownups sometimes say angry words and argue? Well, this is one of those times. Your mom’s scared other people will say mean things about her. She’s pointing out it’s not fair because even though I’m involved. They won’t do this to me because I’m their boss and a man. They’ll be too scared to say this about me because I can take their job away for this.” Heath patiently spoke to Geoff, explaining everything is such a calm voice Ivy didn’t recognize him at first. “Why is there a difference?” Of course, her son would go into full interview mode to learn everything and more

They were ready on time and Heath almost had them out the door when Ivy disappeared quickly to the bathroom and the doorbell rang. “I’ll get the door, Geoff. You can sit and relax.” Heath instructed his son as he strode to the apartment’s front door. “That’s Kathy. I bet mom didn’t call to tell her she doesn’t need to take me to school,” Geoff said from his seat on the sofa. “Well, it’s time we met. After all, she’s your mom’s friend. Thanks for the warning.” He said before he opened the door. A woman who looked like a cross of punk rock princess and a nineteen fifties housewife stood there about to knock on the door. Her eyes went wide when she took in Heath’s sturdy form before her. She said nothing as her mouth made the same of an ‘O’. “You must be Kathy. Come in.” “Uh, who are you, and where are Ivy and Geoff?” She stood there in a green overall dress with a flower print shirt beneath it, which Heath thought with her pink curly hair she looke

Ivy felt swept away as Heath just took over. He didn’t have any rights here right now. Heath wasn’t legally seen as his son and now he’s telling Geoff’s teacher they were trying to reconcile, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Geoff heard every word. “Heath, please. We have discussed that briefly, and we aren’t sure if it’s even possible. Let’s not jump the gun on this. Geoff, please don’t think this is a final decision. It’s got a long way to go before it’s set in stone. If it’s ever set in stone.” Ms. Jackson eyed Ivy now speculatively, and then Heath. Ivy knew she was trying to calculate the chances of them getting back together. “Ms. Smythe, are you saying that Mr. Allan is not telling the truth?” She gave Ivy a concerned frown that Ivy felt wasn’t genuine. “What I’m saying, Ms. Jackson, is that Mr. Allan likes to have things his way, and like Geoffrey, he will state his wishes as facts before there’s any real facts to point in the direction of t