Page 33 of The Daughters of Nyx

When he didn’t say anything, I made my escape, slipping down the hall towards the stairs. Had I been too rash? Maybe. But I liked Rowan—liked the way he made me feel—and the last thing I needed was him letting me down gently with kind yet false words.

Don’t think about him, I reminded myself.Think about Adrian.

And as if sensing my own uncertainty, a text came through from him, and the smile went from stiff to genuine almost immediately.

I didn’t need Rowan. I didn’t need the excitement he brought or the fluttering of my heart when he flirted. If only my heart could agree with my head, that would be fantastic.

12

IVY

SINCE my date with Adrian, there seemed to be asmile permanently etched across my face. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had made me feel soseen, and I found myself questioning his motives less and less as we continued to text.

“Have you got everything set up for your retreat?” Thea asked, rounding the kitchen island and plopping down on the couch beside me. Dark circles underlined her eyes from five late shifts in a row, three of those ending with a certain cook coming home with us.

I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee before sighing in content. “Everything is booked and paid for. I have my schedule for the weekend, and I’m putting together a 9-1-1 list for you.”

Thea nodded silently before gulping down her fresh coffee. She grimaced for a moment before leaving it on the coffee table. “Bleh. The roast tastes off.”

I took another sip and shrugged. “Seems fine to me. Are you getting sick? You look like shit, and when you get sick…” Not even coffee could save her.

My friend scowled as she forced herself to finish the latte-cappuccino hybrid she liked to make. As she finished the cup, she winced, pouting. “All the lates are a bitch. Ugh, why can’t I work a normal day shift?”

“We both know why.” In sync, we shuddered. “Look, Tommy should be going back to a lunch opening when we have more bookings. In like, two weeks. And you have two days off after the weekend. Just stop inviting Jase over after your shift…”

Thea reached over and smacked me on the leg. “Enough. I needsomehappiness in my life. You’ve got pretty boy Adrian.Andthe other one looks like a kicked puppy whenever he sees you. Some of us aren’t that lucky, bitch.”

My cheeks flushed red at the reminder. While I’ve been talking to Adrian more and more, I’ve also sort of avoided approaching Rowan since that accidental run-in outside the apartment. How do you talk to someone after they sent theirfriendon their date? Especially when they themselves weren’t sure if they wanted that date to begin with?

“I don’t even know how to talk to Rowan. I mean, he’s cute and flirty and seems fun. I want to know more about him. But at the same time, I feel like I have to know Adrian, who is so sweet and charming. Both are…” I bit my lip and shook my head. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Date both of them,” Thea replied with a shrug. “Forget what happened the other day. You don’t need to be serious about anything right now. Plus, we don’t know how long they’re here for. See both of them, sex it up, and have fun. You don’t have to go making any decisions any time soon.”

I knew she was right; Thea usually was with this kind of thing, and I’d learnt a long time ago to listen to her when it came to the men in my life. She always had the best intuition about that kind of thing.

Sighing, I threw my head back against the couch and groaned. “If it weren’t for everything else, maybe I’d consider it. You’re right—I don’t know how long they’re here for, but I think that’s what’s keeping me from taking the next step. Like, what if I fall for either of them and the next day, they’re gone?”

Thea laughed before tucking her legs beneath her, her oversized hoody pulling over her knees. “Look, communicate that with them. Ask what their plans are.”

“I know they’re here for work. Something about recruitment.”

“That could mean they’re going to be here for a while!” Thea sat up, almost excited as she glanced at our door. “They could be setting up like, an office or something here for whoever they work for. And you’ll never know unless you ask. Don’t be a dumb bitch. Get on top of this—or at least, on top of them.”

A giggle bubbled up before I could stop it, soon turning into a full laugh as I glared at my best friend. She almost seemed pleased with herself for that reaction, which only made me laugh more.

Before I could respond, three raps at the door sounded, pausing our laughter and causing both of us to frown.

“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked, closing my laptop and setting it down gently on the couch beside me.

Thea shook her head. “Nope. You’re the one with admirers, remember?”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I padded over to the door, checking the peephole first. My heart stammered in my chest as I caught a glimpse of the tall, imposing Irish woman living with Adrian.

Holy shit. She was gorgeous. I’d been too nervous the first day at theCamillato really notice. Long, black hair fell to her waist in soft waves, a single streak of silver framing her face. Her eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to glow, with a scar cutting through her left eye, which should have made me wary, but instead, left me curious and maybe a little attracted.

I’d been interested in women before, but I’d never been as dumbstruck as I was now, staring at her through the peephole. Warmth filled my veins as I swallowed hard and unlocked the door, internally prepping myself for whatever was about to happen.

Her eyes immediately met mine as I peeked around the door. “Hi.”

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