Tangled

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

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54 Ava: Dinner With Ivy

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.”

As she enters, I notice the bottle of wine in her hand and the shopping bag slung over her arm. My brow furrows slightly, but I say nothing, waiting for her to explain.

a few things for you,” Ivy says, holding out the wine and the bag. “A little something to help you settle in.”

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54 Ava: Dinner

a bit awkward. “You didn’t have to do that,” I murmur, even as I

the least I could do. You’re practically

again, that undercurrent of something. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it makes me uneasy. Still, I force a smile

meaning it despite my reservations.

into things. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. The Moon

understandable, Selene says, yawning from her spot on the couch. She’s still binge–watching her mind–numbing wolf shifter

set the bag and wine on the counter. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” I gesture

roturna mu amila and cinka

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Dinner With

legs and leaning back. Selene sniffs her in greeting, and Ivy reaches out to pat her head in a ginger sort of way, almost like she’s worried about being tainted by a

head, of course. I wouldn’t

kitchen, trying to ignore the way her gaze seems

to the table. “Here we are,” I say, setting a plate in front of Ivy before taking my own seat.

We eat in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the soft clink of cutlery against

“So, Ava,” she begins, her tone light and 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

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Dinner With Ivy

not really around anymore.”

her eyes warm with what seems like genuine sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she

shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile. “It’s alright,

and then Ivy speaks again, her voice tinged with a melancholy I haven’t heard from her before. “Clayton and I lost our parents when we were young, too,” she confides, her gaze dropping to the table. “It’s not an easy thing to go

across the table, her hand covering mine in a gentle squeeze. I

meeting her, I feel like I’m seeing the real Ivy–not the polished one that

offers me a small, grateful smile, giving

alpha because he