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.
gifts she left on the counter. “You think so? She
last words, pup! Selene huffs out a breath. Just be careful around
encounter flashes through my mind, heat creeping up my neck. “What’s
his mate, you need to be careful. His wolf thinks of you as his mate. He’s
12:36
2/6
Ava: Shopping With
“You guys
to find my intelligence
I see.
ask as casually as possible, “And
Lucas‘ wolf?”
jerks her head away with a sharp snort. I don’t talk to
Ouch.
***
of her tail against the bed frame. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I peer over at her lounging on the couch, watching the same cheesy shifter romance, but this time on
grumble, throwing a pillow in her general direction. She dodges it easily, not even bothering to look
sunshine, she replies, her
Sleen well?
12:35
3/8
<
Ava: Shopping With
shoot at her, before heading into the
if I’m free to go shopping
prospect.
in my mind. It’ll be good for you to get out of the apartment for a bit.
out a non–committal response. “Ivy kind of makes me
sometimes.”
I open it to find Ivy standing there, looking impeccably put together as always. She gives me a once–over, taking in my ratty t–shirt and sleep shorts.
apartment. “I took the liberty of picking out an outfit for
reveal a silky turquoise blouse and lightweight gray
12.35
4/8
Ava Shopping With
from the bottom.
you already brought me clothes yesterday,” I protest
dismissive hand.
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