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.
left on the counter.
be careful around her. And
flashes through my mind, heat creeping up my neck. “What’s
careful. His wolf thinks of you as his mate. He’s been trying to reach me.
12:36
2/6
Ava: Shopping With Ivy
“You guys
blue husky eyes seem to find my intelligence lacking. It’s only humans who are limited
I see.
I ask as casually as possible,
Lucas‘ wolf?”
head away with a sharp snort. I
Ouch.
***
sound of Selene’s excited yips and the thump 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 the bedroom TV.
you lazy mutt,” I grumble, throwing a pillow in her general direction. She dodges it easily, not even bothering to look away from the screen.
she replies, her
Sleen
12:35
3/8
<
Shopping With
at her, before heading into the bathroom
text message. It’s from Ivy, asking if I’m free to go
prospect.
get out of
non–committal response. “Ivy kind
sometimes.”
there, looking impeccably put together as always. She gives me a once–over, taking in my ratty t–shirt and sleep
ready,” she says breezily, brushing past me into the apartment. “I took the liberty of picking out
up a garment bag, unzipping it to reveal a silky turquoise blouse and lightweight gray pants. My eyes widen when I spot the pair of
12.35
4/8
Ava Shopping With Ivy
from the bottom.
brought me clothes yesterday,” I protest weakly. “And I don’t
a dismissive hand.
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