Chapter 19 Ivy
IVY
The tension is palpable as Sebastian and Aaron stare at one another. The air feels thick, like the universe itself is holding its breath and waiting for someone to say something stupid. Or deeply embarrassing.
I put my hand on Aaron’s arm—light, casual, unmistakably visible. Sebastian’s eyes lock onto it like a laser.
“Thursday, right?” I ask him, my tone light.
Aaron brightens. “Thursday.” He waves at me, then nods at Sebastian and Marcus before heading behind the counter.
I wave back, then turn to face the tight, dangerous quiet look Sebastian wears when he’s angry.
Marcus stares at me, amused. Like he just walked into the third act of a romantic comedy he didn’t buy tickets for.
Sebastian’s jaw is clenched, his shoulders wound tighter than piano wire.
He clears his throat. “Marcus, you remember Ivy, right?”
Just Ivy. Not overexplaining me.
Marcus remains polite and composed, his gaze sharp and curious as it sweeps over me. “I do. Pleasure to see you again.”
I meet his eyes with an easy smile. “Nice to see you again, too.”
He studies me for half a second longer than necessary, then nods like he’s confirmed something for himself.
I turn to Sebastian.
His gaze locks onto mine, intense and unreadable. There’s something there—frustration, restraint, maybe even regret—but it’s buried under layers of control.
“Well,” I say lightly, “I’ve gotta go. See you later.”
For a moment, it looks like he wants to say more. His mouth parts slightly.
Then he glances at Marcus. And closes it.
His hand tightens around his coffee cup.
Something tight flickers in my chest—quick and inconvenient—but I smooth it away before it can show.
“See you later,” he replies instead.
I don’t let myself linger. Even though I want to.
The bell over the door jingles as I leave. As much as it pains me, I don’t look back. Feeling Sebastian’s eyes burning through my backside is enough.
My heels click against the pavement as I head toward the parking lot, posture straight, chin lifted. There’s a lightness in my step I don’t bother hiding.
Thomas opens the door as soon as he sees me. “Good afternoon, Miss Ivy.”
I slide into the backseat. “Good afternoon, Thomas.”
He pulls away from the curb smoothly, the city folding back into motion around us.
I lean my head against the window, watching reflections blur past as my thoughts settle on Sebastian.
The way his eyes followed me. The way his jaw tightened when Aaron stood too close.
The way he almost said something—but didn’t.
He hated watching me with Aaron.
I smile to myself, fingers tracing idle patterns against my bag.
Good. It means he feels something. Even if he won’t name it yet.
As the car turns onto my street, satisfaction hums low and steady in my chest.
Boundaries, Sebastian.
You’re trying to set them.
I’m just letting you see what that looks like.
Thursday is only the beginning.
He has no idea what he’s agreed to by not stopping me.