Chapter 21

I sat on the sofa, my arm draped along the back behind Ivy, as everyone laughed at the Disney movie.

Nemo's friend had just whispered, "He touched the butt." They weren't going to think it was so funny in a minute when Nemo got snatched up by a net.

I shook my head and looked back at the airline website I had pulled up on my phone. I'd been pushing this task to the side for the last three days, so if I wanted any flight out on Monday morning, I needed to book now.

I'd just finished processing the booking when Ivy glanced over.

"What time is your flight?"

"Early. 4 a.m."

Her wide eyes swung to my face. "Oh."

"Is that ok?"

"Yes. Of course. I guess I just assumed you'd fly back Sunday."

I leaned over so my lips were only a fraction away from her ear. "Nah, I'd much rather be curled up in bed with you."

A throat clearing had me glancing across the room to where Shane sat with a shit eating grin. The kid was observant; I had to give him that.

"Are you going on a plane?" Kai asked from the floor at our feet.

Before I could respond to that question, Blair grabbed the remote from the coffee table and pressed pause before asking, "Wait, you're leaving?

Now all eyes were on me, waiting for my response.

"Yeah, just need to fly home for a meeting."

"Will you be back?" Maia's eyes narrowed. For a girl who seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, she was protective of this bunch. I liked that about her—naturally loyal, although she struggled to trust.

"Of course. I'll be back on Tuesday." I smirked. "You still have to interview me."

She rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was hiding a smile.

"I enjoyed that tonight," Ivy chimed in.

Maia smiled. "I still don't understand why I need to interview two different business owners, but luckily, I have two at home."

"Can we watch the movie now?" Jayden whined. He got bored easily.

Ivy tipped her head toward Blair. "Push play."

As Ivy snuggled deeper into my side, I fought a smile. How long before she fell asleep? The last two movie nights, she was out before the halfway mark. Apparently, it was a thing.

Another almost empty bowl of popcorn sat on the coffee table and now Nemo and his friends were escaping the dentist's office. I shook my head as I took in not only Ivy asleep on my shoulder, but Kaisprawled on the floor, out like a light.

But that bliss was all short-lived when a loud crash sounded upstairs. Kai startled awake as Diesel started barking, taking off up the stairs.

"I'm sleeping down here tonight," Blair announced. "The ghost can have my room."

Shane rolled his eyes. "I'll go check and see what fell."

"The ghost can sleep with me," Kai smiled sleepily.

I shook my head. When this all started, I hated the idea of being stuck in this house with all of them. Now I didn't want to leave. And I wasn't sure what to make of that.