{Chapter Nine} 

When I arrive at my mom's work, or rather get into the building, my smile drops. Of course it isn't the fact that Jer is lecturing the woman at the front desk – who's name I admittedly have long since forgotten – it's the fact that he isn't wearing anything other than a pair of very revealing tight, leather pants.

I clear my throat quickly, making both Jer and the woman jump in surprise. Jer's gaze snaps to me, looking ready to lecture me until he realizes who I am, then he smiles his stunningly perfect smile.

“Levy, it's nice to see you again. How was your weekend? Do anything fun? Why don't you go up to my office and wait for me, I'll tell you about our marketing techniques.” He adds softly but quickly as if he wants me to leave in order to continue lecturing the receptionist. I nod dumbly, not bothering to answer his questions and instead I just go up to his office.

I pull my phone out and see a message from Lydia asking if I'd be willing to go on a double date. I think about it for a moment and tell her I'll have to ask Ian before I message him with the question. It doesn't take him more than a minute to reply with a confirmation so I agree with Lydia and relay all the information to Ian.

After a few more minutes Jer comes in the room, looking as calm as ever. I look away from him, focusing on my phone instead.

“So, uh, why aren't you wearing a shirt?” I question. He glances at me from the other side of the room where he seems to be looking for something under all the paper scattered around.

“One of my models couldn't make it so I stepped in; I just needed to make sure the clothes fit correctly and looked good before I approved the manufacturing and shipment.” He explains but I notice he didn't actually answer my question. I don't bother pointing that out though, and instead focus on my phone once more rather than his chest.

I open my new message and smile at Ian's rambling. I find it funny that even while texting he manages to ramble on, it's cute.

“Levy?” I blink and glance away from my phone but immediately regret it. Jer has somehow moved away from the paperwork he was dealing with to stand in front of me, probably to get my attention. From this close I can clearly see his muscles, and the continuation of his tattoos. I can also see the light sprinkle of hair that disappears in his jeans but I quickly avert my eyes back to Jer's so I don't get caught looking.

“Yeah?” I reply, clearing my throat when my voice breaks. Amusement sparkles in his golden eyes, making me question what he finds amusing but I don't ask.

“I was making sure you're paying attention, I have a lot to say about our marketing techniques. Oh, how is the paper coming so far?” he adds and I shrug.

“I have most of the rough draft done, I need to add some more details but I've gotten pretty much everything I need so the paper is almost complete. The rough draft anyway.” I add. He nods in understanding and goes over to his desk to sit down.

“That's great,” he replies before going into detail about their marketing. I put my phone away and make notes in my notebook for later, knowing I'll need the information eventually. After a few hours, and well over ten pages of notes, it's time to leave so I mumble a quick goodbye to Jer before I leave his office. It still bothers me that he spends so much time at the office, it's kind of sad but I don't over think it and instead walk down the hall to my mom's office.

She's already begun packing up to leave but looks up when I clear my throat. She raises a brow in question when she notices me.

“Do you need something?” she questions curiously but I just shrug.

“No, I wanted to let you know now that I'm going out with friends so I'll be back a bit late. I might stay the night with Lydia,” I add because Lydia did mention that. She doesn't seem to think about it and merely shrugs.

“Okay, just call me if you plan to stay at her house.” She adds and I nod. I leave her office and walk down the hall towards the front, passing the receptionist. Julie! That's what her name was. I roll my eyes at that and leave the building. I slide into my car and text Lydia to tell her I'll be at the restaurant in a few minutes.

I drive the fifteen minute drive to Ian's house so I can pick him up, but he texts me to tell me his dad wants to meet me. I pause at that, wondering if he'll approve of me. If I'm even ready to meet his dad. I push those thoughts away though because it's just his dad, it's not like he's going to interrogate me and start planning the wedding.

So I sigh, shut my car off and after I gather my courage I get out of the car. I walk through the grass to the front door of the large yellow house and knock of the matching yellow door. I expect it to be Ian's dad opening the door though – thankfully – it's Ian himself. I smile and immediately pull him into a hug.

“Hey,” I greet and pull away while he fidgets.

“Hey, um, nice to see you. I mean of course it's nice to see you. I meant it's nice to see you on my doorstep, I think.” He coughs and bites his lip, dragging me into the house by my wrist. “I uh, apologize in advance for my dad.” He whispers as he continues dragging me through the house.

I take in the plain white walls, mostly holding some family photos and pictures of Ian at different ages. There's a few pieces of cheap art on the walls, but in general the house kind of seems lacking. It doesn't seem like a home but rather a house full of things. We walk through a hall and stop in a large room, obviously the living room.

There isn't much in this room either save for more pictures and art to take room on the walls. A gray couch sits in the middle with a glass coffee table in front of it; a flat screen TV is mounted to the white wall in front of the couch and there's a few random chairs with end tables scattered around the room. And sitting in one of the many chairs is a middle-aged man that I can only assume is Ian's dad.

He has nearly black hair, which means Ian probably got his own dark brown from his mom. Ian does have a lot of the same features as his dad though, like his defined cheek bones and dimples.

The man looks up upon our entrance and I realize Ian also got his shocking light gray eyes from his dad, though his dad's are a bit lighter, which stuns me. He smiles, making his own dimples more pronounced and I relax slightly. Even if the smile is fake, it puts me at ease.

“Hello there, you must be Levy. I've heard so much about you. I'm Haiden Kelly, but feel free to call me Haiden.” He says, standing and walking over to shake my hand. Beside me Ian laughs a bit, obviously nervous.

“Haha, yeah. Well this has been fun but Levy's friend is waiting for us so we'll be leaving now.” Ian explains quickly, grabbing my wrist to pull me away but his dad merely grabs the back of his shirt.

“Oh come on, Ian. Don't be so eager to leave. So, Levy, tell me about yourself.”