Page 70 of Riot

“Well, that was awkward,” she smirks, “and fun.”

“We shouldn’t leave Katie.”

Dayna waves me off. “Please, that girl is a psychopath when pushed. She can handle Jackson.” She moves to the sinks and begins to fix her lipstick. “What a moronic prick he is.”

“Right,” I agree. “I don’t know why he’s so insistent on taking me out.”

“Because you’re amazing, Ivy. Of course, he wants to take you out, but no is a full fucking sentence.”

I sigh, leaning against the wall behind me. “Two years ago, I would’ve been in tears if he’d asked me to dinner.”

“A lot can change in two years.”Isn’t that the truth?She watches me in the mirror. “Why aren’t you having dirty, filthy sex with Riot? The man wants you.”

I dip my chin towards my chest as I try to find the words to explain things between us. “It’s… complicated.”

I settle on that colossal understatement.

“Try me.”

“Riot makes?—”

“Your fanny flutter?”

Fuck.I bark a laugh. “Yeah, he does. When Riot is near me, every part of my body feels alive. I feel… I feel safe with him.”

Her face softens. “I get it.”

“Jackson on paper is the better choice. He’s reliable, normal. But?—”

“He doesn’t give you fanny flutters.” I shake my head. “Then Jackson needs to get a clue. He’s a big boy. He should be able to handle rejection.”

“I don’t know why he’s even interested.” I move to her, leaning against the sink as she reapplies her mascara. “I don’t exactly give off available vibes. I’m a mess.”

Anger flashes in her eyes. “You are an amazing person, Ivy Fernsby. You’re hilarious and kind, and literally the best person I’ve ever met. That’s why he’s being so pushy. But he’s also an adult, and just because he’s never heard the word before isn’t your problem. Maybe we should hire two hit men.”

I flash her a smile, but it fizzles out before it settles. “I don’t feel very hilarious.”

She scowls. “All the things I just said and that’s the one you focused on?” She pulls me into a tight squeeze, holding me so fiercely. “You went through hell, and you might not feel yourself right now, but you will in time. Now, go and pee before we start crying and things get weird.”

I head into the cubicle, doing my business before I go back to the sink to wash my hands. Dayna is still in one of the cubicles when my phone beeps. I pull it out, expecting it to be Maylie with an update about Seren, but it’s from Riot.

I open the message to a picture of him and my daughter sitting together in the living room. Maylie is in the background with my brother and Mace. The way he smiles at Seren makes my belly dip. The man looks good holding my baby, too good. My brain is running wild with images that I should not allow to develop.

You look like you’re having a good time.

Riot

It would be better if you were here with us.

Simple words and yet they unlock a warmth inside me that I haven’t felt for a long time.

“What are you smiling about?”

I jolt as she peers over my shoulder. “Oh.” Her voice is soft, melting. “Now, I get why you don’t feel anything toward Jackson. Fuck, if I liked commitment, I’d be a puddle right now.”

“It’s only a picture. It doesn’t mean anything. Riot’s just a friend.”

“Girl, that man is not your friend.” She goes to the sink and washes her hands. “He’s at your apartment, sitting with your baby, while you’re out having fun. And messaging you to say ‘wish you were here’.”

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