Page 68 of Undeniable

He shrugged and gave me an incredulous look. He glanced over at his sister’s booth, and I followed his line of sight. Ivy was still seated in her folding chair, paintbrush in hand, and a toddler sitting in the seat opposite her. She was watching us, her gaze fixed and unwavering, until the child in front of her screeched, effectively drawing her attention back.

“But you’re only hereright nowbecause of her.”

My eyes settled back on him and I was reminded of all the turmoil mine and Ivy’s fling had caused all those years ago. How much turmoil Forrest himself had exacerbated by getting in the middle of it all.

I also realized how much I hadn’t forgiven him for it, even after thirteen years. I knew he wanted to protect his sister, but I had been his best friend. And in the end, that hadn’t counted for a fucking thing.

“Whether it’s because of Ivy or not, I don’t see why it matters.”

He huffed and rested his elbows on the counter, peering down at the lid of his drink. I leaned back against the opposite table and crossed my arms over my chest. Patiently, I waited for him to say whatever it was he was obviously contemplating or to leave.

“I hate the way it all went down back then.” He didn’t look up when he spoke, but if he had, he would’ve seen the shock splayed across my face. Of all the things I thought he’d say, that seemed the least likely. It was also the closest I knew I’d probably ever get to an apology.

“Yeah, me too,” I agreed. And that was the closest I’d ever come to vocalizing my forgiveness. Because it was time. Thirteen years was too long to hang on to anything.

He nodded and took his drink, heading in the direction of the stage where the band had started playing. My eyes found Ivy once again as she finished with the toddler. The little boy, with butterflies on his cheek and a lightning bolt over the opposite eye, raced to show his mom. And a guy about our age sat down in the seat the kid had just vacated. It was obvious Ivy was surprised since he was the first adult to sit in her chair all day, but her surprise quickly dissolved into an easy smile.

My entire body tensed, and I nearly tore the dish towel in half, wringing it in my hands.

She pulled up the poster with the designs and he made it a point to touch her face to indicate where he wanted the design on himself.

He wastouchingher. The irritation bubbled over and a hot anger swept through me.

“She’s not interested,” a small, feminine voice said. I jerked my head from the scene I’d been so intently watching to find Ivy’s mom, Catherine, tapping her nails on the counter and watching Ivy and the mystery guy as well.

I stuttered, glancing between Ms. Sharpe and her daughter, but she shut me up with a quick wave of her hand. “You don’t have to pretend around me. I’m a mom. I see all.”

She smiled, and I relaxed slightly. After Ivy and I left for college and couldn’t stand to look at each other, it became obvious to nearly everyone that more had happened that summer after graduation than we’d told them.

I would’ve been more surprised if our parents—at least our moms—hadn’t put together the pieces.

“He’s a nice guy, but she’s not interested in him,” she continued. “He works with Forrest, actually.”

Oh great, a fucking firefighter. How was I supposed to compete with that?

That thought struck me like a blow to the chest, but I didn’t have time to consider it for more than a moment as Ivy’s mom continued.

“He was the first one to jump in trying to ‘comfort’ Ivy after the breakup. I don’t think she’d even moved out by the time he was calling her.”

She sighed and shook her head, turning back to me. Whatever his name was was patiently waiting for Ivy to finish his face paint, but he kept brushing his hand over her knee or squeezing her thigh, and I was going to throw something if it continued.

“I talked to her this morning. I’m glad she finally told you.”

I shrugged and busied myself cleaning behind the counter. It was already spotless, but I began recleaning everything I’d already done. “I’m glad she did, too. I-I can’t believe I didn’t know.”

“Well, honey, you don’t come around too often. It was an easy secret for all of us, including Ivy, to keep.”

I didn’t have much to say to that. I risked a glance up at her and her expression was apologetic yet open. She had the same piercing green eyes as her daughter. The eyes that saw way too much, whether you wanted them to or not.

“But I’m glad the two of you are talking again.”

I chuckled and wiped down the ICEE machine for the third time. “Talking, arguing… same difference, right?”

Catherine chuckled and pointed to one of the ICEE flavors behind me, requesting the largest size. While I poured it for her, filling the cup to the brim as requested, she continued, “There’s… there’s so much history between the two of you. I think if you can find a way to work through it together…”

She trailed off, and I spun around to hand her the drink.

“Just promise me something, James?”

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