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Ivy.
    “Don’t leave just yet. I wanted to talk to you about a planning schedule.”
    Ivy re-took her seat. She picked up Lauren’s wish list, which seemed more like a wish book with all the pages that were in the folder. She and Jonathan definitely needed to work quickly with the requests Lauren gave them; they were going to have to use their precious time to their advantage.
    * * *
    When Jonathan returned he found Ivy with her elbow on the table and her head propped up with her right hand, her eyes closed. The room was quiet and he figured she took the opportunity to relax. His brother told him that Rose couldn’t stop talking about the increase in business since Ivy’s win.
    He didn’t want to wake her, so he quietly removed the chair from under the table next to her and sat down. A smile touched his lips as he gazed down at the relaxed expression on Ivy’s face. It was so different from the way she’d looked weeks before. He studied her features carefully.
    With her eyes closed and hair pulled back, the light cover of makeup on her café au lait skin made her look angelic. It reminded him of the night they made love in Las Vegas, but that time her hair was loose, full and free.
    As he sat quietly watching her rest, Jonathan slowly regained confidence in his decision to prove to her that their marriage could work. He realized he had a long way to go in order to convince Ivy that saying ‘I do’ was worth it.
    Slowly, her eyes opened and Ivy sat up straight.
    Jonathan scooted closer to her. “You look tired. Do you want to go over this stuff later?”
    Ivy placed her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. “We better get started.” She picked up the folder, quickly skimming through the pages again. “This is a big request for such a small window of time.”
    “You’re right, but we don’t have to go through it here. You can go home, rest for a while and I can come over later. We may even be able to complete it tonight.”
    “Sure, we can work on this tonight. Come over at about seven.”
    Jonathan hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until she responded. His eyes twinkled and his smile turned into a full grin as he lifted himself out of his seat. He was relieved that she didn’t turn him down, because, after all, to her it was business. But for him, tonight was yet another opportunity for him to get close to her. He wasn’t going to blow it; he was going to make it count in his favor. And if he was lucky, Ivy wouldn’t mention anything else about an annulment.
    Placing his hand lightly on her shoulder, he said, “Go home and get some rest. I’ll see you later.”
    Ivy stood. Jonathan picked up her wool swing coat from the back of the chair and held it open so that she could slip it on.
    Ivy picked up the folder and held it securely to her side.
    Jonathan slipped his arms around her shoulders. “You’re not too tired to drive, are you?”
    “Oh, no, I’m fine. I really just wanted to rest my eyes a bit. I’m rejuvenated.”
    Ivy looked him in the face. “Jonathan, did you see that list?” She shook her head at the long list of things the bride wanted.
    “Sure did. The woman wants everything and the kitchen sink in three weeks.”
    “Where are we going to find plaid chair covers?” Ivy wondered why the young woman picked something so uncommon and hideous.
    “Who does that?” Jonathan shook his head.
    They both laughed, and Ivy shook her head as she moved away from the table. “I’ve got to stop by the office before I go home, so I’ll see you later.”

Chapter 5
    Jonathan sifted through the many take-out menus in his kitchen drawer. He had no idea what Ivy’s favorite foods were, so he settled on ordering from his favorite Chinese restaurant. He gave the girl his selections for pickup, since the place was on his way to Ivy’s house.
    Jonathan lived alone in a two-bedroom apartment on the far west side of the city. Unlike the stereotypical messy bachelor, he’d neatly decorated his