Chapter 43 Ivy
IVY
Sebastian seemed fine by the time he returned home from work.
Drew and Mr. Pickles staged a dinner fiasco that had me crying with laughter.
Drew accidentally kicked the cat under the table.
Mr. Pickles retaliated by jumping on Drew’s crotch with claws bared, tearing through his thin sweatpants.
Drew hit a soprano note with his yelling while I wheezed with laughter and Sebastian tried to hide his laughter, shooting Drew sympathetic looks.
“Damn cat’s trying to kill me,” Drew muttered.
I laughed harder, earning a nasty glare from him. Mr. Pickles purred and climbed onto my lap, the picture of innocence.
“Black demon,” Drew muttered darkly, pointing at Mr. Pickles. The cat responded by hissing and batting at his finger.
I fell asleep on the couch with Sebastian rubbing my feet and the cat curled on my chest.
By the next morning, I’d forgotten about Sebastian’s strange obsession with the mat and door locks, as well as the grocery store incident.
After Sebastian left for work, I went into the office and began studying.
By noon, my stomach is rumbling, and I’m in desperate need of caffeine. I call Thomas and ask him to drive me to the café. I plan to check out the bookstore and stop by Sebastian’s office afterward.
Thomas shows up to drive me into the city.
We make idle conversation. Normally, Thomas isn’t one to gossip, but he shares that Elizabeth and my dad were over at the house two nights ago.
I smile broadly, glad Elizabeth is coming around.
My dad and I can be very convincing. Or maybe we just wear people down until they’re too tired to fight us.
He drops me off in front of the café. I promise I’ll only be a few minutes.
The bell above the door jingles as I step inside, and warmth rushes over me—physical and emotional. The café smells like sugar and steam and burnt espresso in a way that always makes me feel like things are about to be okay. I catch a whiff of a club sandwich and fries and decide to order one, too.
Aaron looks up from behind the counter and grins like I just made his day.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite almost regular,” he says. “Where have you been hiding?”
I smile, walking up to the counter. “Life happened.”
“That’s not an answer,” he says, already reaching for a cup. “But I’ll allow it.”
I laugh. “I need two coffees. One normal. One… very normal but also emotionally supportive.” I grin. “And a club sandwich with fries.”
He snorts. “Rough week?”
“Interesting week,” I correct.
He rings me up. “I was starting to think you ghosted us.”
“I would never,” I say solemnly. “I’ve just been busy.”
“Busy how?” he asks, eyebrows wiggling. “You don’t strike me as the mysterious type.”
I lean against the counter. “I adopted a cat.”
He pauses mid-pour. “You what?”
“Against my will,” I say. “He showed up looking like he crawled out of a trash can. Caught him lapping at pickle juice.”
Aaron laughs. “What’s his name?”
“Mr. Pickles.”
He loses it. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“That’s incredible.”
“He’s feral,” I add. “Judgmental. Possibly possessed.”
“So he fits right in,” Aaron says, handing me a cup. “I approve.”
I grin, warmth spreading through my chest. I hadn’t realized how much I missed this—being known here. Being normal.
“I might have also—” I start, about to tell him about Sebastian.
The bell jingles. The air immediately changes.
Sebastian stands just inside the doorway, eyes scanning the room like he walked into the wrong place and hasn’t decided whether to leave or burn it down.
His gaze is locked on me.
His eyes narrow when they move to Aaron. Something darker slides into place. His jaw tightens. His shoulders go rigid. His eyes flick to the cups on the counter and then to the way Aaron is smiling at me.
His hands tighten into fists, and he moves, walking toward us with controlled, deliberate steps.
“Hey,” I say, surprised but smiling. “What are you—”
His hand comes down on the counter beside mine. Hard.
Aaron blinks, his smile fading. “Uh—hey, man.”
Sebastian doesn’t look at him. “I didn’t know you were coming out,” he says quietly, voice eerily calm considering the anger flaring in his eyes.
“I was just grabbing coffee for us,” I reply. “And a bite to eat.”
His eyes drop to the cups, then back to Aaron. “How long has she been here?” he asks.
Aaron hesitates, clearly clocking the tension. “Uh… maybe two or three minutes?”
Sebastian nods once. “I’ll take those,” he says, reaching for the cups.
I pull back instinctively. “Sebastian.”
His eyes snap to mine. “What?” he asks, a warning in his tone.
My spine straightens. “I didn’t realize I needed permission to buy lunch and coffee.”
Aaron clears his throat. “I can—uh—finish the order if you want?”
Sebastian finally looks at him. Really looks at him. Something sharp and territorial settles behind his eyes.
“No,” Sebastian says. “We’re done.”
“Yes. Please finish the order.” I glare at Sebastian.
His gaze softens—just a fraction—but it’s too late. The damage is already done. Something hot flares in my chest.
I hand Aaron the cup I was holding. “Keep it. In fact, cancel my food order. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Aaron looks between us, eyes wide. “Ivy—”
“I’ll see you later,” I say, already moving away from the counter.
Sebastian follows me out without touching me, his footsteps loud behind me.
The bell jingles again, cheerfully oblivious.
Outside, I turn on him. “What was that?” I demand.
“I don’t like people thinking they—” He stops himself. Recalibrates. “I don’t like strangers getting too familiar with you.”
“He’s a waiter,” I snap. “Not a threat.”
Sebastian’s jaw clenches. “You don’t know that.”
I laugh once, sharp and incredulous. “Wow. That’s rich.”
He frowns. “What does that mean?”
“You, of all people, don’t trust me?” I ask, a note of hurt in my voice.
“That’s not what I said.”
“Not directly. But you sure as hell implied it.”
The silence stretches between us, dangerous and loaded.
I shake my head. “I didn’t need rescuing in there.”
“I know,” he says.
“Then why did you act like that?”
He doesn’t answer. Just stares at me with a blank face.
“Next time,” I say coolly, “don’t make decisions for me.”
I stomp away, sliding into the seat of the car. Thomas shuts the door.
Sebastian stands on the sidewalk, watching me like he just realized controlling me has a cost.
The café door swings open behind him, someone stepping out, but he doesn’t notice.
For the first time since we found each other, I don’t feel protected.
“Take me home, Thomas.”