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.

took the liberty of picking up a few things for you,” Ivy says, holding out the wine and the bag. “A little something

website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

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Ava: Dinner With Ivy

have to do that,” I murmur, even

the least I could do. You’re practically family

again, that undercurrent of something. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it

despite my reservations. “That’s really

beams at me, and for a moment, I wonder if I’m reading too much into things.

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

“Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” I gesture towards the

and

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Dinner

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

my head, of course.

way

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

eat in silence for

her tone light and conversational. “Tell me a little about

my grip tightening on my fork. “There’s not much to

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Ava: Dinner With Ivy

really around anymore.”

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

a reassuring

speaks again, her voice tinged with a melancholy I haven’t heard from her before. “Clayton and I lost

can respond, she reaches across the table, her hand covering mine in a

her gaze. For the first time since meeting her, I feel like I’m

giving my hand one

strong alpha because he was forced