38. Drew
DREW
The four of us sit around my dining room, our plates piled high with pizza and breadsticks.
Everything appears normal.
But it’s not.
Not even close.
Ivy’s talking about that weird mannequin—Gerald, I think—and how she’s included him in her next romance book.
Violet nods, her attention riveted on Ivy.
She’s sitting across from me like she belongs here. Like it’s her home.
Luna is sprawled across her lap, sleeping with ease, despite the noise around her.
And my brother is taking it all in and giving me looks I don’t like.
At all.
“You okay, Drew?” Ivy asks.
“Yeah,” I say automatically, hating that all eyes are on me.
It’s a lie.
I’m not okay.
Violet leans forward. “My company, Obsidian Design, could help with your social media. Do you have a cover design?”
Ivy practically bounces out of her chair, and within seconds, they’re discussing covers and marketing.
I stop listening.
I’m too busy thinking about how well Violet knew my house after one tour.
She directed the movers as if she lived here.
And the worst part?
I love everything she did.
That should bother me.
But it doesn’t.
I glance out the window and sigh. I also like the curtains. They make the place seem... homey.
My eyes meet Sebastian’s when I turn my head. He’s smirking, amusement dancing in his eyes.
It pisses me off.
I scratch my cheek, giving him the middle finger.
He chuckles and keeps eating, completely unbothered.
He’s enjoying this.
I gave him a lot of shit when Ivy first began stalking him.
My torment only worsened after they got married.
It was too easy.
And now... It’s coming back on me.
“Are you finished eating?” Violet asks.
“Oh... yeah.” I slide the empty plate away.
“You should put up the TV,” Ivy says.
“Great idea. Ivy and I can take care of cleaning up and putting leftovers away.”
Ivy nods. “Absolutely.”
Violet waves her hand in a shooing motion. “Go. We’ve got this.”
I meet Sebastian’s eyes, already knowing I’m in for it.
Fuck.
Wonder if I can fake being sick so I don’t have to deal with him?
I get up from the table like I’m walking into a trap.
Sebastian comes up behind me and slaps me on the shoulder.
“Now you can tell me all about…” His gaze moves to the kitchen, then back to me. “Your non-stalker girlfriend who just bought you a TV.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I say through gritted teeth.
His laugh reminds me of Skeletor.
“What is she then? Your emotional support stalker?”
I glare at him, shrugging his hand off. “I don’t appreciate the sarcasm.”
He grabs the level, a drill I’ve never seen before, and the mount.
“Is that new?” I ask, gesturing at the drill.
His smile widens. “It’s not mine.”
Something cold settles in my chest.
“Your non-girlfriend had it lying beside the bracket.”
“I don't even know where she got that." I shake my head. "Fuck. I don't even know how to use that thing."
Sebastian grins. “I’ll give you lessons.”
His eyes twinkle with amusement. “Or she can.”
I glare at him. “Stop it.”
He turns to the wall. “Where would you like it?”
We debate back and forth about which wall to hang it on.
And then I hear her voice behind me.
“Just put it on this wall,” Violet says. “It’ll keep the sun from glaring on the screen.” She points at the window, then turns to me. “Plus you’ll be able to see the sidewalk and driveway from here.”
My mouth is dry. “Wow. You think of everything.”
She steps closer.
A soft smile is on her face. It doesn’t match the intensity of her violet eyes. “Anything to make your life easier, Drew.”
She squeezes my bicep and then walks away.
The skin beneath my shirt is still tingling from her touch.
She shouldn’t affect me like this.
We've only gone on one date.
“Don’t start, Sebastian,” I say, watching her head back into the kitchen with Ivy.
I finally turn to him.
He’s trying—and failing—to hide his smile.
He walks over to the wall Violet pointed to. “Come here. I’ll show you how to use the drill.”
I move, my hands clenched into fists. “Good. Maybe I can use it to drill the smirk off your face.”
He doesn’t look scared.
Instead, he starts explaining drill bits, wall studs, and other words that barely penetrate my muddled brain.
Because I’m still focused on Violet buying me a TV.
A wall mount.
A drill.
Drill bits.
She shouldn't know me well enough to know what I need.