Chapter 11 Ivy
IVY
Dinner goes better than expected.
Sebastian comes over and helps with the chicken. I prepare the baked potatoes and salad. Drew watches us like he’s waiting for one of us to pull a knife on the other, which is unfair because I’m very respectful of sharp objects.
Mostly.
We sit at the table like a family. An odd one, sure, but families come in all shapes now.
Drew eats like he’s bracing for a catastrophe—shoulders tight, movements careful. Sebastian, as always, looks perfectly at ease, one arm draped over the back of his chair, a glass of white wine within reach.
I watch him chew. I like watching him do ordinary things.
“This is good,” Drew says finally, like he’s relieved to find something normal.
“It is,” I agree. “But your brother usually only cooks when he’s stressed.”
Sebastian glances at me. “I’m not stressed.”
“You over-seasoned,” I say gently. “That’s how I know.”
He doesn’t argue.
Drew frowns down at his plate, then back up at me. “How would you know that?”
“Oh,” I say, waving my fork. “Patterns.”
Sebastian smirks.
Drew looks ready to flee. The table or the country, I’m not sure.
Halfway through the meal, I tilt my head, studying Sebastian. “Your car is due for an oil change.”
Sebastian doesn’t look surprised. “I know.”
Drew chokes. It’s not dramatic—just enough to be alarming. He coughs, hand flying to his chest, eyes wide as he stares at me like I’ve just confessed to a felony.
“You—what?” he croaks.
I blink. “Your brother’s car. The black Audi. The dash light’s been on for three days.”
Sebastian takes a sip of wine. “Four.”
I nod. “Four.”
Drew looks between us. “You… know that?”
“I pay attention,” I say kindly.
“That’s—” He coughs again. “That’s not something people usually know about other people’s cars.”
Sebastian shrugs. “She notices things.”
I smile at Drew. “You’ll get used to it.”
He doesn’t look convinced.
I think it’s cute, though. The way his ears turn pink. The way he grips his fork like it might protect him from me.
He’s sweet. Earnest.
He just needs a nice girl who locks the doors and doesn’t pop out of the shrubbery.
I hope he finds her.
After dinner, I load the dishwasher. No one stops me. Sebastian never does. Drew looks like he wants to protest, but can’t figure out what rule applies here.
“Top rack only,” Sebastian murmurs as I slide in a glass.
“I know,” I say. “The stems chip otherwise.”
Drew stares at the counter like it holds the answers to life’s biggest questions.
When everything’s clean and humming, I slip on my slippers and step outside to grab the mail from the box. The night is cold. Quiet. Comfortable.
I sort through it quickly—junk, bills, something important-looking—and bring it inside, setting it neatly on the counter.
“I brought in the mail,” I say. “You’ve got a late notice.”
Sebastian sighs. “I’ll handle it.”
Drew watches the exchange like we’re speaking a language he doesn’t understand.
“I should go,” I add, moving toward the door. “Goodnight.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t say anything. Not until I grab the patio door handle.
“You can use the front door, Ivy.”
I pause.
Then I giggle. “Oh. Right.”
I walk to the front door, open it properly this time, and step out onto the porch. Before I leave, I turn back and give a small wave. “I’ll see you later, Sebastian.”
His eyes meet mine. Steady. Knowing.
I’ve almost closed the door when I hear Drew exhale like he’s been holding his breath for hours.
I close the door and head for home.
As I walk away, one thought fills my head. Sebastian pretends he likes it when I leave.
But he likes it more when I return.
The lights are still on when I arrive home, but the house is empty. Typical. My dad must still be with his girlfriend.
I could easily find a place. I inherited a lot of money after Mom died. Plus, the dark stalker romance novels I write under a pen name, mostly for fun, are surprisingly profitable.
I head to my office and flick on the lights. It’s cozy with everything in white or rose gold—desk, comfy chair, bookcases, keyboard, and laptop. The space screams girl boss.
My fingers glide over the desk, French tips gleaming beneath the light, as I take my seat, mind whirling with ideas. Sebastian is the muse for my male character. Pieces of him are embedded in every mannerism and word of my newest morally gray, broody hero, Grey.
If only Sebastian would stalk me like Grey. Obsess over me the way Grey does Karly.
It’s a nice dream.
Maybe one day.
My fingers fly over the keys, losing myself in the art of storytelling. My stories are like movies inside my head that come out through my fingertips.
A car door slams in the distance, and I glance at the time. I blink at the clock in disbelief. Two and a half hours have flown by.
I exit my office and head downstairs as my dad strolls inside.
“Hey, button.” He taps my nose before giving me a hug. “How are you?”
“Great. You?”
“Better.” He smiles, but exhaustion lines his eyes.
“You’ve been out late with Elizabeth, huh?”
His smile widens. “She’s a delight. I can’t get enough of her.” He moves toward the kitchen, and I follow.
“She still keep her doors unlocked for you?”
He winks. “Every night.” He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. “Too bad she didn’t know I went on vacation with her.” He takes a long swig, then lowers it. “How are things with you and Sebastian?”
I brighten at the mention of his name. “Wonderful. I met his brother tonight.” I stare at my bare ring finger, thinking about how beautiful a diamond from Sebastian would look.
“Oh. Was he visiting?”
I shake my head. “He’s staying with Sebastian. Recently divorced. Seems nice enough, though very different from his brother.” A giggle escapes as I remember our first meeting. “He was a bit shocked when I appeared from behind the bush.”
Dad chuckles. “He’ll get used to it.” He shrugs. “Elizabeth and Sebastian did.”
My dad takes another drink, then adds, “The two of you will end up good friends, I’m sure. You have a delightful personality. Who can resist your charms?”
“No one.”
I frown slightly as a thought rolls through. Even though Sebastian likes me watching him, he’s never taken me out for coffee or dinner.
Not yet.
I need to step up my game.
“We’re both too charming to resist.” I pat my dad’s arm. “I’m heading upstairs to shower. See you later.”
“Bye, sweetheart. Have fun tonight.”
I grin as I head upstairs. “Always.”
It’s time Sebastian speeds things up.
Waiting is boring.
I’m done being patient.
He just needs a little help from me.