Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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."

notice the bottle of wine in her hand and the shopping bag slung over her arm. My

says, holding

have to do that,"

the least I

I can't quite put my finger on it, but it makes me uneasy. Still,

Ivy," I say, meaning it despite my reservations. "That's really kind of

at me, and for a moment, I wonder if I'm reading too much into things. Maybe I'm just being

yawning from her spot on the couch.

bag and wine on the counter.

onto the couch, crossing her legs and leaning back. Selene sniffs her in greeting, and Ivy reaches out to pat her head

of course. I wouldn't

the way her gaze seems to follow

food is plated, and I carry our dishes to the table. "Here we are," I say, setting a plate in front of Ivy before

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

Ava," she begins, her tone light and conversational. "Tell me a little about yourself. Your family, where you're

tightening on my fork. "There's not much to tell," I deflect, keeping my tone carefully neutral. "My family... they're not

sympathy. "I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I didn't mean to

a reassuring smile. "It's

and I lost our parents when we were young, too," she confides, her gaze dropping to the table. "It's not an easy