Page 26 of Fritillaria

It’s actually kind of…nice.

Aspis is having fun with Finnegan, and it’s interesting to see him relaxed again. I like this version of him. When he’s not worried about what I’ll think. When he’s just being his charming self.

I could see it. Myself, Aspis and Matilda coming here every couple of weeks. Being part of this friend group. There isn’t anyone here that I don’t like.

Sebastian’s cooking is also another selling point. The Dragon Shifter served us an array of roasted chickens and all the sides you could imagine. It was delicious.

Rosie was quickly forgiven for being late when she told the group that she had brought dessert. It’s brought to the table now, a gorgeous layer cake big enough for everyone to have a piece.

I’m silent as I savor every delicious morsel of the raspberry and vanilla flavor. My heart feels full for the first time in well… forever. I never really had a family like this, a wholesome group where you felt comfortable being yourself.

So I guess I didn’t know to value it.

Have I been doing this all the wrong way? I’ve put my career first, time and time again. Never really slowing down to wonder if that was all that I needed.

My career is successful, and I’ve achieved so much of what I had set out to do. I’m in a place now where I wouldn’t really need to work as hard as I am. Hell, I could even relinquish some control and work with other songwriters.

Would it really be such a bad thing if my priorities shifted?

Looking around the space, it’s hard to miss how in tandem all of these mates are with one another. Howhappythey all are.

When was the last time I felt truly happy?

My gaze lingers on Aspis as he chats with Maddox, his gorgeous green eyes flicking over to me like they have been all evening. Only this time I don’t look away. I hold Aspis’ gaze, a tentative smile forming on my face. An offering to him.

Rachel might have been right, the same for Rosie.

I am attracted to Aspis and Matilda. I like them both as people. Why haven’t I been happy about getting an opportunity to be with them?

Chapter 22

Aspis

Ivy sits with her quilt in her lap, folded neatly and returned to her tote bag. She was pretty protective of it when we got back to the car. I let my hopes soar in a way that I shouldn’t.

Matilda sits next to her again, chatting about anything and everything. But I hang back, sitting on my own. I’m unsure of how to behave around Ivy. I don’t want to mess things up by saying or doing something stupid again. Instead, I’m probably just lurking like an idiot.

“Do you both want to come up to my apartment for the evening?” Ivy asks.

She… what?

Matilda catches my eye, her gaze widening as she nods her consent to me.

“Y-yes.” I stammer, still in shock at her invitation. It’s already pretty late, and I wonder if Ivy means for us to stay the night.

“Is that OK with you, baby?” Ivy asks, tucking a strand of hair behind Matilda’s ear.

“Yes, please.” Matilda shivers with pleasure, leaning into Ivy’s touch.

Holy shit, she really is flirting with us.

Something changed at dinner. I thought so when she gave me that look over dessert. I owe Rosie an outrageous gift for having the idea and convincing Ivy to go.

The rest of the drive to Ivy’s is filled with a charged tension. She can’t keep her hands off of Matilda. When we get to her place, Ivy leads the way up to the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor when we get inside.

The building is classy and modern, the elevator a sparkling marble box. I hadn’t really thought about it, but Ivy has been incredibly successful in her career, which means that she probably has a really nice place.

My assumption is correct. Her apartment is enormous, with its own private elevator entrance. She leads us into her kitchen, all crisp grey quartz counters and sleek black cabinets.

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