“You have no idea what it is, do you?” Ivy put her hands on her hips.
“A convertible?” Dani said, unsure of what her friend was getting at.
“Not just any convertible.” Ivy rolled her eyes. “A Maserati.”
“Really?” Dani sat on the porch swing. “How much does a car like that run?”
“About a hundred and fifty thousand,” Ivy said breathlessly.
“I knew that crowd was wealthy, but wow.” Dani chewed her thumbnail. “Just wow. Although I suppose I should have figured out how rich they were when he said his grandfather paid for the library.”
“It’s a really nice library.” Ivy sighed dreamily, then her face fell and she sank into a wicker rocking chair. “Laz is rich and handsome. Way out of my league.”
Dani cringed. She’d said the same thing to Kelsey about Spencer. Dani and Ivy really were a lot alike. Which for the most part was great, but Dani didn’t want her insecurities to rub off on her friend.
With that in mind, Dani said slowly, “Money doesn’t define someone’s worth. And…” She trailed off, uncertain what to add.
In truth, Ivy and Laz didn’t seem to have much in common. Middle-class family versus billionaire dynasty. Pretty versus gorgeous. Nerd versus in crowd. But Laz had given the impression that he really liked Ivy. Was it fair to discourage her from pursuing a relationship?
“You don’t have to say it, Dani. I already know.” Ivy drew up her legs and laid her cheek on her knees. “Like Tippi always says, it’s hard to find a sensitive, caring, handsome man because they already have boyfriends.”
“You think Laz is gay?” Dani asked. Maybe Regina had threatened to out him and he’d killed her to maintain his facade.
“Nah.” Ivy giggled. “It’s just that I have as much chance of Laz Hunter asking me out as I would if he were into guys.”
“You can’t know that,” Dani objected.
“Realistically, there is no Laz Hunter for someone like me.”
“Before you make any decisions or jump to any conclusions, three things.” Dani held up her fingers. “First, Laz is probably not ready to start dating since his fiancée has only been dead a few days. Second, until Regina’s murderer is found, it’s not a good idea to give Detective Mikeloff any ideas about you having a motive—like wanting to move in on Regina’s boyfriend.”
Ivy nodded after each of Dani’s first two points, then asked, “And third?”
“Third. Once the case is solved and some time has gone by, if you still want to go out with him, you should ask him.” Dani set the porch swing in motion. “If Ron Weasley can end up with Hermione Granger, anything’s possible.”
“Seriously?” Ivy screeched. “You’re giving me advice based on Harry Potter books?”
“That wasn’t what I meant.” Dani frowned. She’d been going to say Beauty and the Beast but realized just in time how bad that sounded. “I just meant that novels are full of unlikely couples.”
“Too funny,” Ivy snickered. “But if you’re basing your relationship expectations on romances, you probably need to stop reading them.”
“Never.” Dani shook her head vehemently. “I’m holding out for a hero and a happily ever after.”
Ivy snorted, then looked toward the road. “Who’s pulling into the driveway? You don’t think it’s that awful detective again, do you?”
“I sure hope not.” Chills chased up Dani’s arms as she watched the car door open. She was relieved, at least for a second, to see Kipp getting out of the sedan.
“Hey.” Ivy jumped to her feet. “It’s Dr. Doofus.” She turned and glared at Dani. “You are not getting back together with him, are you?”
“Of course not.” Dani got up from the swing. “Why would you even think that?”
This was the reason she hadn’t told her friend about Kipp’s previous visit. Ivy hated him almost more than Dani did, which was a little odd but sweet.
“Then what’s he doing here?” Ivy moved to stop Kipp from reaching the porch.
“Not that it’s any of your business”—Kipp tried to maneuver around Ivy, and she shifted to block him—“but I’m here for the book Dani borrowed.”
“I told you that I’d text you when I found it, which I haven’t.” Dani joined Ivy. “And technically, I didn’t borrow it; you gave it to me. I’m being gracious and letting you have it back.”
“Gracious would be getting it for me now.” Kipp tried to move forward.
“I haven’t had a chance to look for it yet.” Although her eyes were watering from the stench of stale smoke and sweaty gym socks wafting off her ex, Dani refused to budge.
As Kipp put his hands on Dani’s shoulders to shift her out of his way, a sexy baritone growled, “Take your filthy mitts off of her.”
Dani peered around Kipp and saw a scowling Spencer Drake hurtling up the steps. How had she missed his truck pulling into the driveway?
Dani stared at Spencer and said, “I can take care of myself.” Kipp continued to dig his fingers into her arm, and she turned her attention to him. “Release me this instant or I’m going to go all Wonder Woman on your ass.”
Ignoring her threat, Kipp looked over his shoulder. Seeing the large, glowering man behind him, he immediately dropped Dani’s arm and held up his hands in supplication. “All I want is my book and I’ll leave.”
“You’ll leave now.” Dani tilted her head. “Why are you so anxious to get it?”
“My cousin is driving me nuts about the damn thing. She calls all the time.” Kipp’s voice was as annoying as an unoiled hinge. “Listen, Dani. I’ll hire you. Whatever your going rate is to cook a meal, I’ll pay you that to take the time to unpack your boxes and find it.” He looked at Spencer. “Can’t get any fairer than that, right, bro?”
“It’s not up to me, bro.” Spencer raised his eyebrows. “It’s up to Dani.”
“Fine.” Dani wanted to get Kipp out of her hair. “I’m busy tomorrow, but I have an opening Thursday afternoon and I’ll look for the book then.”
“How much
