55 Ava: Shopping With Ivy
For someone who doesn’t want children, he could have fooled me last week, Selene says, yawning in
amusement.
Shut up, I hiss at her, smiling at Ivy. “I’m sorry for
startling you.”
“It’s fine.” She waves a hand, looking me over with some caution. “As long as you’re okay.”
I continue eating, trying to keep my composure after that awkward moment. Ivy hesitates, seeming unsure if she should continue eating as well. The silence between us grows thick and uncomfortable. I rack my brain for something to say, but the tension is stifling.
Finally, Ivy clears her plate and stands. “Well, I should get going. Thank you for having me over.”
I stand as well, unsure of the protocol. “Of course. Thanks for the gifts.”
She steps forward and kisses both my cheeks, catching me off guard. “I’ll see you around, Ava.”
And with that, she’s gone, leaving me alone in the
12. 12.
1-8
C
55 Ava: Shopping With Ivy
apartment. I collapse onto the plush couch, mentally exhausted from the visit. What was the point of all that? She seemed nice enough, but there’s just something so weird about how she acts. Judgment? Suspicion? I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Selene pads over and hops up beside me, resting her head on my lap. She certainly is an interesting one.
“You’re telling me,” I mutter, running my fingers through her soft fur. “I can’t figure out her angle.”
I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. There’s something off about that one.
frown, staring at the gifts she left on the counter. “You think so? She seems
Selene huffs out a breath. Just be careful around her. And her brother, for that
encounter flashes through my mind, heat creeping up my neck. “What’s wrong with him?”
aren’t willing to be his mate, you need to be careful. His
12:36
2/6
Ava: Shopping With
“You guys can talk to
eyes seem to find my intelligence lacking. It’s only humans
I see.
as casually as
Lucas‘ wolf?”
her head away with a sharp
Ouch.
***
of Selene’s excited yips and the thump of her tail against the bed frame. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes,
her general direction. She dodges it easily, not even
she replies,
Sleen well?
12:35
3/8
<
Ava: Shopping
show is garbage,” I shoot at her,
my phone chimes with a new text message. It’s from Ivy, asking if I’m free to go shopping with her today. I grimace, not exactly thrilled at the
prospect.
to get out of the apartment for
out a non–committal response. “Ivy kind of makes me
sometimes.”
it to find Ivy standing there, looking impeccably put together as always. She gives me a once–over,
the apartment. “I took the liberty of picking
and lightweight gray pants. My eyes widen when I
12.35
4/8
Shopping With Ivy
from the bottom.
protest
waves a dismissive hand. “You’ll
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