Page 16 of Battle of the Exes

I take advantage of his turned head and check my teeth in the rearview mirror. My pearly whites are clean as a whistle. Not that Ivy will notice or care but shealways did say I had the best smile this side of the Continental Divide.

Pulling into Rue’s driveway, I realize it’s been the best twenty minutes with Jasper ever. Not a single complaint spewed from his mouth.

“We’re here.”

Jasper scrunches his nose. “This place?” The disdain in his voice is palpable.

I stand corrected.

“Yep. Rue, the manager of The Silver Quill, and her husband Gary live here. They kindly invited us for wine and cheese. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

He harrumphs. Before he can start the usual cycle of “This isn’t what I signed up for,” and “This is a waste of my valuable time,” I grab the pastry box from the back seat and head to the door.

A teenager in a sundress and tiny nose ring answers the door. “Hello. You must be Beau and Jasper. I’m Lulu, Rue’s daughter.” Her eyes are glued to Jasper’s mane.

He smiles that fake smile I’ve seen a thousand times.

As we enter the foyer, she turns to me. “You’re Aunt Ivy’s?—”

“—I brought a pie.” The interruption is more like an eruption, making both Lulu and Jasper pause to stare at me.

Thankfully, she goes along with it, taking hold of the box. “Cool, thanks.”

The house is more updated than the exterior would suggest. For Jasper’s sake, I’m relieved. He won’t last long if he thinks the house isn’t up to his standards.

Rue and Gary step out of the kitchen and greet us warmly.

“You really know how to draw in the crowds,” Rue says to Jasper who nods with faux humility.

“I’m grateful they enjoy my books.”

She shows us to the dining room, adjacent to the living room. Trays of cheese and pastries, along with several nice bottles of wine are on the table. A lovely view of Willow Lake is visible through the patio doors. Soft classical music is playing in the background.

Gary offers us each a glass of Pinot Noir. “It pairs well with the gouda.”

Jasper takes a glass, draining it in seconds and then holds it out for a refill.

Gary chuckles politely, accommodating him.

We all take seats in the living room and I wonder where my ex-wife is off to.

“Where are you headed next on your book tour?” Rue asks.

Jasper looks at me. “You haven’t told them yet?”

“Told us what?”

All eyes turn to the stairs. Ivy is standing there, hands on her hips, the accusatory stance I recall so well. She always was a firecracker. But that dress. Oh man. It fits her curves with precision. It looks like something a younger woman might buy but it’s perfect on her. Absolutely perfect.

I clear my throat. “Hello, Ivy. You look?—”

“Ravishing.” Jasper is on his feet, taking hold of Ivy’s hand and I’m not joking, kisses it!

What’s worse is Ivy is eating it up.

“Enchantée.”

Rue wedges herself between them with a tray in hand. “Canapé?”

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