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

117

<

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

sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

2/7

Dinner With Ivy

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

the least I could do. You’re

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

you, Ivy,” I say, meaning it despite my reservations.

beams at me, and for a moment, I wonder if I’m reading too much into things. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. The Moon

but it’s understandable, Selene says, yawning from her spot on the

of cooking, I set the bag and wine on the counter. “Why

and cinka aronofully onto

12:34

317

Ava: Dinner

her in greeting, and Ivy reaches out to pat her

snort. Inside my head, of course. I wouldn’t do that where

the kitchen, trying to ignore the way her gaze seems to follow me as

we are,” I say, setting a plate in front

silence for a

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

“There’s not much to tell,” I deflect, keeping my tone carefully neutral. “My

12:34

417

<

Dinner With

not really around anymore.”

like genuine sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs. “I didn’t mean to

shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile. “It’s alright, you didn’t know.”

a melancholy I haven’t heard from her before. “Clayton and I lost our parents when we were young, too,” she confides, her

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

telling me,” I murmur, holding her gaze. For the first time since meeting her, I feel like I’m seeing the real Ivy–not the polished one that seems to

small, grateful smile, giving my hand

a strong alpha because he was forced to be.