Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Ava: Dinner With Ivy

Music drifts through the kitchen, courtesy of my phone, as I chop garlic, enjoying the sharp aroma. Cooking has always been a comfort to me, a way to lose myself in the simple tasks and let my mind wander. As I toss minced garlic into the pan heating over the stove, I can't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me, if only momentarily.

I've set up the phone Clayton gave me, and texted him and Ivy to let them know it was working. Neither responded, which is fine by me. I set up the burner phone, too, and texted Lisa with updates. She did respond, and her spam of emojis have lightened the load on my heart. I texted Mrs. Elkins, letting her know I'm safe and begging her not to talk to anyone about me.

Mrs. Elkins assured me my job is safe whenever I can come home, which is even more of a relief.

My little paradise is waiting for me, which makes it so much easier to be stuck here right now.

A knock at the door startles me from my reverie. I glance at the clock, wondering who could be here at this hour. Wiping my hands on a towel, I make my way to the door, peering through the peephole.

It's Ivy.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever interaction awaits me. There's something about Ivy that always puts me on edge, a subtle undercurrent of something that I can't quite place. Still, I paste on a polite smile and open the door.

"Ivy, hi," I greet her, trying to keep my tone casual.

"Ava," she says, her smile bright but somehow not quite reaching her eyes. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all," I assure her, stepping aside to let her in. "I was just making dinner."

the bottle of wine in her hand and the shopping bag slung over

few things for you," Ivy says, holding out the wine and the bag. "A

didn't have to do that," I murmur, even as I

"It's the least I could

finger on it, but it makes me uneasy.

despite my reservations. "That's really kind of

reading too much into things. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

from her spot on the couch. She's

the middle of cooking, I set the bag and wine on the counter. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable?" I

greeting, and Ivy reaches out to pat her head in a

me snort. Inside my head, of course. I wouldn't do that

trying to ignore the way her gaze seems to follow me as I

the food is plated, and I carry our dishes to the table. "Here we are," I say, setting a plate in front of Ivy before taking my own seat. "I hope you like

eat in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the soft

conversational. "Tell me a little about yourself. Your family, where you're from—all the fun

slightly at the mention of family, my grip tightening on my fork. "There's not much to

genuine sympathy. "I'm sorry,"

a reassuring smile.

"Clayton and I lost

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