“Of course.” I finish cooking and begin plating their food. “I can head out if you want,” I add casually. Like I haven’t already rearranged my evening around him.
He doesn’t answer right away.
Instead, I hear the scrape of a chair as Drew shifts behind us, the subtle pause that tells me he’s noticed the change in the air, even if he doesn’t understand it.
Sebastian clears his throat. “You can stay.”
Drew looks between us, brows lifting like he’s witnessing something he hadn’t expected either.
I smile, slow and pleased. “Okay,” I say, moving toward them with the plates. After setting them down, I return to the stove and fix myself a smaller plate.
When I return to the table, Sebastian pulls out a chair at the table and gestures for me to sit.
I observe him as I grab my silverware.
He’s not pushing me away.
But he’s not pulling me closer, either.
And I can work with that.
17
SEBASTIAN
This morning, I awoke with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. And it has everything to do with Ivy.
Last night’s dinner was too comfortable. Too easy. Too normal.
By the time my head hit the pillow, I was so freaked out, I could barely sleep. It made me question everything. Fear rolls through every orifice as I replay every moment since the day I met her.
I crawl out of bed, surprised that my clothes are still on the floor. I grab my sweatpants and put them on, going about my normal routine, tryingnotto think of her.
My shoulders tighten as I descend the stairs, listening for her voice.
But it is silent.
When I walk into the kitchen, I clock two things immediately: Ivy isn’t in it, and the familiar aroma of coffee and breakfast is missing.
“Hey,” I say to Drew, who is sitting at the table, a mug of coffee in one hand, his phone in the other.
“Mornin’.” He briefly meets my gaze, then looks away.
“Where’s Ivy?” I ask.
“No idea. I figured something happened after I went to bed. Did you guys have a fight?”
I shake my head. “No. Everything was fine when she left.”
Drew looks skeptical but doesn’t say anything.
I run a hand through my hair. “I think I’ll leave early. Get coffee and breakfast.”
“Good idea.” His eyes are on his phone. “Hopefully she’s here for dinner.”
All I can do is nod. I have no idea. Ivy’s never done this before. It’s so out of character.
I spin around and head back to my room. It’s too quiet since she left. I know I should feel relieved. Instead, I feel like I’ve missed an appointment I didn’t know I made.
