Maze (The Ballerina Series #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

teasing each other the way a
mother and daughter could. Ivy’s chair sat close to mine and we held hands
under the table the entire time. I think her mom knew, though. I caught her
looking at our arms one time and then she looked at me and winked. So I guess I
didn’t come off as a total loser.
    The
awkward moment came when Ben asked about what I did. I didn’t want to lie to
these folks. I took a sip of the wine in front of me and manned up.
    “I’m
a retired mixed martial arts fighter, sir.”
    “Wow,”
Ben said. “I’ve been to one of those fights. Very intense.”
    “You
have?” Bev, his wife, asked.
    Ben
took a sip of water. “Yes, with Phil.”
    I
remembered, Phil was Ivy’s dad. Both moms laughed. “So what was your record?”
Ben asked.
    Ivy
answered before I could. “Undefeated,” she said proudly beaming.
    I
wanted to lean over and kiss her right then and there in front of her parent
and their friends, but I wasn’t sure that would be a good idea. It wouldn’t
have been a quick kiss either. At that moment a rush of love filled me, at the
way she took pride in me. I was so busy staring at her I almost missed her
mother’s next question.
    “So
what are your plans now?” Allison asked.
    I
turned my attention away from Ivy to answer it. “I’m the new owner of a martial
arts gym over in Chinatown. I’m going to start training the next crop of
fighters.”
    “Nice,”
Ben said. “So no more cage fighting for you?”
    “Oh
how exciting,” Bev said at the same time.
    I
shook my head at Ben’s statement. “No more fighting. Just training. That will
be enough excitement.”
    “Well,
I think this calls for a toast. Congratulations,” Allison said.
    They
all raised their glasses and toasted me. I breathed a sigh of relief that I’d
passed that hurdle and been accepted by Ivy’s mom and people who meant
something to her. The talk then moved to Ivy and her injuries. They were
interested in the fact I was willing to help her come back from it.
    “Yes,”
I agreed. “As soon as the cast comes off I’m going to have her down at the gym
working on strengthening her ankle.”
    “I
think that’s a fantastic idea, Maze,” Bev responded.
    Dinner
turned out much better than I’d thought it would have. When we parted company
in front of the restaurant, the hug I got from Allison was a little tighter
than when we first got there.
    She
whispered in my ear, “Thank you.”
    I
just smiled at her and nodded. Then she got into the cab with Shel’s parents
and I closed the door.
    “That
went well,” I said.
    Ivy
tilted her head and stared at me. “Were you worried?”
    I
shrugged. “Scared shitless.”
    She
laughed. “My mom liked you. They all did. You impressed them.”
    I
wrapped my arm around her and drew her against my side just as Terry pulled up
to the curb with the limo. “As long as I impress you,” I replied, and gave her
a quick kiss. I opened the car door for her before Terry could come around the
side. “I got it man,” I said to our driver and climbed in behind her.
    “I’m
glad you came with me,” she stated.
    I
clutched her hand. “Yeah, me too.”
    It
wasn’t too late and I needed to check on Joe. I wanted to tell him about
meeting Ivy’s mom. I hoped one day soon he’d be able to meet her parents. I
even talked to Allison a little about Joe and she said she’d love to meet him
sometime. I’d like him to meet her too, but they were headed back home
tomorrow, so it would be a while.
    Ivy
lay snuggled within the crook of my arm, her hand on my thigh and mine over her
hand. I threaded our fingers together. I liked touching her. “I found it
interesting as much as we talked at dinner, no one mentioned the reason they
were all here. Was it because I was there?”
    “No.
I think they’re just trying not to dwell on it. You being there gave them
something else to focus on. Bev will go back home and schedule the surgery.”
    “Well
she looks good. If I didn’t know she was