Page 144 of Seeds of Malice

She pulls through the gates, gets to the next street, and veers off to the side of the road. She puts the car in park. "Ivy, I wanted to apologize."

I stare at her, unsure if she's telling the truth.

"I've acted very badly toward you. I'm sorry. I'm very protective of my brother."

"So you decided to be a witch to me?" I ask.

She squints, offering, "I think you mean a bitch."

I gape at her.

She sighs. "Ivy, a lot of girls have come onto our estate. They've taken advantage of Dax."

Jealously flares.Dax has been with other girls who've lived on the estate?

Avery claims, "My claws come out sometimes. I'm sorry. I-I was wrong about you."

I just stare at her, unsure if she's really sorry.

She puts her hand on my arm. "I really am sorry. Dax told me how much he loves you. He's never loved anyone either!"

My heart soars, and the jealousy fades.

He's only loved me?

She continues, "I want to be friends. I know everything's my fault. Please, can we start over?"

My heart thumps so hard in my chest that I'm sure she can hear it. My mouth turns dry. I'd love to be friends with Avery. I'm sure it's better than being her enemy. Yet I'm not sure if I can trust her.

"Please. I want to be friends. You'll see. I'm actually a really good friend," she says and smiles.

I soften. "Okay. I'd like that too."

"Really?" she questions.

I admit, "Of course I would. I've never had an enemy before. I wasn't quite sure why you were so against me."

She shuts her eyes and rubs the heel of her hand on her forehead. "I'm sorry." She opens her eyes and turns toward the back seat. She grabs a huge box and hands it to me. "I got this for you to say I'm sorry."

A gorgeous red bow secures the lid. It reminds me of Dax's gift, except this box is bigger. I blurt out, "Avery, you didn't have to get me anything."

"I know, but I was shopping yesterday and saw it. It's like it was screaming to me, 'I belong to Ivy,'" she giggles.

My lips twitch. I stare at the box.

"Well, don't be silly. Open it," she demands.

I laugh. "Okay, if you insist."

"I do. You're going to love it," she claims.

I untie the bow, lift the lid, and gape at a Louis Vuitton book bag.

"Well, don't just stare at it. Pick it up. Check it out," she encourages.

I jerk my head toward her. "Avery, this is beautiful, but I can't accept this."

Her face falls. "Why can't you accept it?"

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