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mind about that.”
    “What happened, Ivy?”
    I sighed as self-loathing bubbled up inside me again. “Kammy and I went out, and I met this guy. We were dancing and we went into the bathroom… together.”
    Bo’s hands clamped into fists.
    “And afterward he told me he was married.”
    Bo was silent for a moment but then chuckled, and I looked up at him with confusion. “I would have loved to see what you did to him when he told you that.”
    I laughed. He knew me so well. “Well, let’s just say his wife will have no doubt what he did last night.”
    Bo laughed again. “That’s my girl.”
    I smiled big, but it quickly faded as I remembered my embarrassment. “So you don’t think I’m a slut?”
    Bo leaned backward, taking me with him until we were lying down with him still wrapped around me.
    “Ivy, you know I don’t like it when you go out with Kammy. I’d rather you…” He trailed off.
    “You’d rather I what, Bo?”
    He sighed. “I’d rather you be a little more concerned with your safety,” he said sternly. “You scared the hell out of me last night.”
    “I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. “I was so ashamed. I didn’t want you to know.”
    “It’s okay, Ivy,” he said, rubbing his hand on my arm. “You’re not a slut. You’re a confident, independent, strong, sexy-as-hell woman who I love.”
    I smiled up at him and kissed him quick on the lips. “I love you too, Bo. I promise I’ll never not call you again.” He gave me a small smile. “Now, come on. I’ll make you some breakfast.” I began to uncurl myself from him.
    “Wait,” he said and pulled me back closer to him. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and tightened his arms around me.
    I was surprised and confused. “Bo?” I asked, touching his shoulder.
    “Just—just let me hold you for a second,” he said into my neck.
    I didn’t know why Bo wanted this, but I remained where I was, and we held each other in silence. Eventually my stomach growled, and Bo sighed and pulled away from me.
    “What was that about?” I asked quietly.
    He sighed again and scrubbed his face with his hand. “Ivy, I honestly thought something terrible had happened last night when you didn’t call. I woke up everyone I could think of at four in the morning, including your aunt and uncle, trying to find you. So right now—right now I just needed to hold you.”
    I bit my lip but didn’t say a word. I didn’t want to be overdramatic, but really he was right. Anything could happen to me out there. And I knew he would never forgive himself if something did happen. So I nodded up at him, hoping he understood how sorry I was about last night. He smiled down at me and kissed my forehead.
    “All right. Now go make me some blueberry pancakes.”
    “Coming right up!” I said with a giggle and scampered out of bed.
     
    Aunt Suzy was in the kitchen when I stumbled out of my bedroom in my cotton shorts and tank top pajama outfit. I started grabbing ingredients and dishes to make Bo’s pancakes.
    “You’re chipper this morning,” my aunt said to me.
    I shrugged. “How many seasons of that show we watched last night are there?”
    “Four, I think.”
    “We should watch more together soon.”
    She watched me from over her coffee cup. “I’d like that,” she said. “Where’s Bo?”
    “Bathroom,” I said simply. “I’m making us pancakes. Want any?”
    “No, thanks. Your uncle was up at the butt crack of dawn to get inventory started, so I had breakfast with him.”
    I smiled and nodded, thankful he hadn’t asked for my help with inventory this month.
    “You must not have gotten much sleep.” We had been up fairly late watching our TV show.
    “No. Especially not when Bo woke us up in the middle of the night looking for you,” she said and eyed me.
    I cringed and focused on my pancake batter. “Sorry about that. I forgot to call him last night, and he was worried.”
    Aunt Suzy nodded. My