Page 39 of Twins for the Mountain Daddies

Ivy, apparently having had enough, slips away from the throng, shoulders hunched more than I remember ever seeing. When she sits down across from me, there's a tremor in her fingers as she reaches for her drink. I want to ask, want to reach out and smooth away the crease in her brow, but I don't know how. Not without crossing lines that have always been there between us.

"Everything all right?" I manage, trying to keep my voice even.

She nods, quick and sharp, but her eyes dart around, never settling. They catch on Holt, then Wyatt, who both shootlooks her way when they think no one's watching. It's a silent conversation, one I'm not privy to, but it's clear they're aware of her every move, even if they pretend otherwise.

"Fine. Just...tired, I guess," she says, but the words are hollow.

"Hm," I reply, letting it drop. We sit in silence, the din of the bar wrapping around us like a shroud. There's a story here, in the way she's tucking into herself, in the way they watch her, but it's not mine to uncover.

The door swings open and lets in a gust of chill air along with Mason. Lily is trailing behind. Ivy perks up, a real smile breaking through the façade she's been wearing all night.

"Hey, Ivy," Mason greets her with a nod and a grin that's all warmth as they approach our table. His daughter bounces on the balls of her feet, eager.

"Love your dress, Ivy! Where'd you get it?" Lily's eyes are wide, taking in every detail of Ivy's simple yet chic attire. It’s not as over the top as some of her other outfits. It’s still not quite what women here would wear, but it’s tame for Ivy.

"Thanks, Lily! It's just something I picked up on a whim. I need a bathroom break. Why don’t you come with me? I'll tell you all about it." Ivy stands, and the two of them weave through the crowd, leaving me with Mason.

"Girls and their fashion talk, huh?" He chuckles, taking a seat.

"Seems that way," I grunt, watching the space where Ivy disappeared. My hands feel too big, useless resting on the table.

Mason's smile quirks up at the corner, like he's got a secret or he's just won a bet. "Ivy seems to have a way with people. My Lily loves her," he says casually, as if he’s commenting on the weather.

"Hm." I reach for my beer, the glass cool and slick in my hand.

"You've known her long?" His question is light, but his eyes are studying me.

"No." I take a swig, let the bitter taste linger. I'm not about to spill my guts to Mason, no matter how good of a guy he seems.

He leans back in his chair, easy, relaxed. “She’s got a way with you, too.”

My jaw tightens. “Not sure what you’re getting at.”

Mason lifts his hands, all innocence. “Nothing, nothing. Just saying—it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you take to someone new. Especially someone like Ivy.”

I level him with a look, but he doesn’t flinch. “Someone like Ivy?”

His smirk deepens. “You know; flashy, big personality, a little reckless. Not your usual type.”

I roll my shoulders, irritation prickling under my skin. “Didn’t know I had a type.”

“Oh, you do,” Mason drawls, taking a sip of his drink. “And Ivy? She ain’t it.” He pauses, then adds, “But you like her anyway.”

I don’t answer, but the way Mason’s grin widens tells me he sees more than I’d like.

We sit in silence for a moment, the clatter of pool balls and laughter filling the gaps between us. Then Wyatt's loud voice cuts through, drawing my gaze.

"Hey, where'd Ivy go?" Holt trails behind him with the same question in his eyes.

"Restroom," I say, pushing back my annoyance at the fact that they only seemed to care when she was out of sight.

"All right," Wyatt says, shrugging. He throws himself into a chair, sprawling out with easy confidence. Holt leans against the wall, his eyes scanning the crowd until they find the path Ivy took.

"Kid's a magnet," Mason comments, half to himself, before standing. "Nice talking to you, Hank."

"Likewise." But my mind's not on the conversation anymore. It's stuck on Ivy, wondering what she's telling Lily about that dress, about herself, and whether she's still smiling.

Chapter 18

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