Ivy leans against the counter, like this is just another morning in a house that has already made room for her.
I swallow hard.
And I let her.
Everything tastes better when she’s here. The noise in my head quiets when she’s under my roof. And I let that weakness disarm me, breaking all my rules.
When we’re finished eating, Ivy takes our plates, loads the dishwasher, and wipes the counter, humming softly under her breath, like this is her house.
When she’s done, she turns toward me with a smile. “I’ll see you later,” she says easily.
I nod. “Bye.”
She shoots me a private smile that makes me both uneasy and turned on before exiting the room.
Drew watches her go, brow wrinkling when she puts her shoes on, then swings her legs over the railing and disappears like she’s a magic trick he hasn’t figured out yet.
He blinks once. Twice. Then shakes his head.
“I’m going to start locking things,” he says faintly.
“Won’t work.” I take a sip of my coffee, my eyes still on the railing. “Tried it.”
“Change thelocks.”
I raise my brows. “Seriously?”
“She’s a stalker.” He reaches over and pats my arm. “Stop living in denial.”
My eyes drop to his hand on my arm. “Move it. Unless you want to lose it.”
He yanks his hand back. “Look, Bash.”
I wince. He’s using the nickname he gave me when we were kids. This is serious.
“I know she’s gorgeous. And sweet… for the most part.” He scratches his neck, then picks up his fork. “But her behavior isn’t normal.”
“Exactly.” I drain my coffee, rinse my mug, and set it in the sink. “Have you considered what may happen if we piss off the crazy woman?”
Drew clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Well… no. But?—”
“Have you considered she could put a hex on us? Sabotage our life.”
“A hex?” His voice raises. “Are you kidding?”
“I had one woman try to curse me. I don’t need another.”
“What? What do you mean, curse you?”
I wave my hand. “I’ve gotta get dressed and head to the office.”
As I hurry from the room without a backward glance, I hear Drew mutter, “I’m living in a damn nuthouse.”
I shake my head, a smile on my lips. I’m aware how all of this looks and sounds. But... I can’t explain it.
Instead, I run from my own damn nerdy brother.
How things have changed.
