Page 75 of The Devil of Downtown

And I want reasons for you to stay.

But I don’t say any of that.

She eats most of her food, which makes me pathetically happy, then clears her throat and sets her fork down.

“So... after breakfast, I should head home. I have training soon.”

There it is.

The retreat.

And it annoys me far more than I have a right.

“On a Sunday?” I ask before I can stop myself.

She shrugs. “Not usually. We’re prepping for something. Extra run-through.”

“Sure,” I say, feigning nonchalance. “We’ll grab coffee on the way.”

It comes out too casual for how badly I need her not to walk out that door.

She pauses, dragging a finger through a pool of condensation on her glass. “Is this another task?”

“It’s coffee.”

No game. No angle. Just me wanting her to stay.

She narrows her eyes. “Will I be expected to take minutes?”

I huff a quiet laugh. “No. We tried that once. It didn’t work.”

She gasps, hand to her chest in mock offense. “Hey, I wasn’t that bad; you’re just spoiled because Sloane is a one-woman board meeting.”

“True. You know, for twins, you’re very different.”

Ivy’s mouth tips up. “Yeah, but I adore her.”

I lean against the counter, studying her. “I like her too. Mostly for sending me you.”

She goes quiet for a beat, puzzled, before her face crumples into a smile. “Oh, that was smooth.”

Christ, she thinks I’m spinning her a line. If she knew me well, she’d know I don’t do lines—they come with expectations I can’t meet.

I hold her gaze, my tone flat. “If you say so.”

Her smile falters as if I’ve thrown her off balance, before she looks away first.

“Right, o-kay.” She clears her throat gently. “My dance bag with my stuff is in your car, so I should probably get it if we’re leaving soon.”

“I’ll grab your dance bag,” I say. “Finish your drink in peace.”

“Thank you.”

When I come back, she’s nursing her coffee, legs curled under her on the stool.

I hand her the bag. She takes it, fingers brushing mine, and yeah—I feel it.

“I’m going for a quick shower before we go. Don’t wander off.”