The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

14 - Invite

Ivy had been working for weeks when they returned to work after the July Fourth holiday. The work week arrived along with the hot and humid air. Getting dressed was a challenge when the saturated air prevented her skin from drying. Her hair wouldn't cooperate. Trying to put up untamed frizz was a problem. As she left it down, she promised herself her apartment would have air conditioning. By the time she reached the cool offices, she felt like she needed another shower.

Tate looked crisp and refreshed. "How was your weekend?"

Ivy shrugged. "Fine." Boring. "Yours?"

"Good. The Fourth was fun. On Saturday, I went shopping with my brother's girlfriend."

Ivy felt a sharp pain in her chest. "What did you buy?"

"Gowns for my mother's summer party. You should come."

"No, Tate. That's not a good idea. I'll stick to being your intern."

"Ivy, did I say something wrong? Is it because I shopped with Priscilla?"

She knew her name, Priscilla. Did he say her name when he made demands in bed?

Ivy shook her head. "No. I don't fit in with your family or at summer parties. Please don't ask me to go. I need to get to work."

Ivy hid in her office hoping the tears would stay away. Immersing herself into a contract, she refused to think of him moving on while she was stuck in the mud.

By midmorning, she needed to treat herself with an iced coffee. She had paid off her credit cards and felt a little better financially. One plus in her sorry life.

Ivy sipped from her straw while she waited for an elevator. As she turned to the ding, she froze with her straw in her mouth. Baxter looked right at her as he stepped out.

Danielle stood in the elevator holding the open button. "Don't forget your lunch with your father."

"I know. I know. Good morning, Ivy."

Even with a drink in her hand, her mouth was too dry to reply.

"Coming." Dani looked at her as she held the open button.

Ivy stepped on the elevator, but didn't look at his assistant. She felt tears trying to sneak out.

Danielle's voice was soft. "This explains a lot."

"Excuse me."

"Something was off after Colorado. I thought it was because of Tate, but it was you."

"I'm sorry, but you aren't making sense." Had he thought about her?

"Never mind." Danielle smiled.

The doors opened on the fourteenth floor, and Ivy made a bee-line for the ladies' room. She carefully blotted her tears trying to preserve her makeup. Thankfully, she had worn very little because of the heat. Taking a good look in the mirror, her verdict was that she looked awful with frizzy hair. Priscilla probably had silky straight hair like Tate's and a trust fund to pay for everything a girl needed to capture Baxter Kane.

Composed, she returned to her closet to work. Tate disappeared for lunch. Apparently, she was having lunch with her father. Ivy ate at her desk reading some county ordinances and jumped at a knock.

Eleanor stood at her door. "Are you okay, Ivy?" She stopped calling her Ms. Krasinski her first week.

"It's the heat. I didn't sleep well."

"This might help." She held out a large fudge brownie. "I made too many. It's hard living alone."

Ivy pinched off a piece of brownie. "This is good. I'm sorry. I assume you have a family."