Page 174 of Thorns of Malice

Jaxon and I look at one another.

He narrows his eyes. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?" Lilly whines.

"Jaxon and Dax didn't exactly get off to a good start," I inform her.

Lilly rolls her eyes. "Okay, well, you two can get over it."

Jaxon's face hardens. Then he states, "I still don't agree with Ivy being around Dax."

Lilly elbows him.

"Ouch. What was that for?" he asks.

She declares, "Dax has changed. You can't hold stuff that was in the past against him. We were all stupid kids back then."

"Can't I?" Jaxon asks.

"No, you can't. Ivy's in love with him, and he's in love with her. Plus, he's not the same Dax he was. So I think tonight's a great night for a double date," Lilly insists again and then smiles, nodding.

A tense silence ensues, with Jaxon and I studying each other.

Lilly grabs my hand. "Ivy, it'll be fun. There's no time like the present. We're your friends, and you love Dax, so these two need to get over their beef with each other."

I cave. "You're right. Okay."

"Yay," she claps.

Jaxon grinds his molars.

"Jaxon, how is work going?" I ask, eager to change the subject.

He groans and scrubs his face. "It's a nightmare. I didn't put enough of the Seducing Ivy orders in when they came to market.I was being cautious, and all my buyers are pissed. They're threatening to pull all their business if I don't produce the new blooms."

"Oh no. That's horrible," I say.

"Yeah, tell me about it. Let's change the subject," he says.

We spend the rest of the lunch talking and laughing. Jaxon and I tell Lilly things that have happened to us over the last few years. Lilly tells us more about California and her adventures.

Before we leave, we agree to meet at Dax's place at eight.

I return to the SUV and text Dax.

Me: I need you home by eight tonight. We're having dinner guests.

Dax: Who?

Me: Lilly and Jaxon.

Dax calls me. "Is this a joke?"

"No, it's not."

"Ivy, I'm not eating dinner with Jaxon Savoia."

"Yes, you are," I firmly assert.

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