Page 90 of Ink Me Three Times
Penny kicks her legs excitedly under the table, still clutching her stuffed bear, while Olivia gets her attention by making silly faces. Freddie catches my eye for a moment, and I see a flicker of something in his expression, something soft and almost too real.
“So,” Olivia says, after a few moments of chaos. “Tell me about this town. Is it all it’s cracked up to be, or just a really quiet place with great burgers and a sugar obsessed kid?”
Freddie chuckles, shifting in his seat. “A little of both, I guess. It’s quiet, yeah. But people here have their own kind of charm. You wouldn’t find a group like this anywhere else.”
I bite my lip, feeling the warmth of his words in my chest. He’s not wrong, not even close.
Olivia raises an eyebrow. “Hmm. And what about you, Freddie Brooks? What’syourcharm?”
Freddie leans back a little, his grin stretching wide. “I don’t know about charm… what do you think, Ivy?”
I feel a little flush crawl up my neck. Olivia’s gaze flickers between us, and I know she’s getting more than just a vibe.
Penny picks that moment to interrupt, leaning forward with an eager expression. “Ivy, Olivia! Can we make a storm together?!”
I blink at Penny, feeling my heart soften as she leans over the table, wide eyed and full of determination. I can’t resist that smile of hers.
“Well, I guess if it’s a storm we’re making,” I say, grinning, “then we need toreallyshake things up.”
Olivia laughs, and together, we start shaking the sugar holder, making the packets rattle and fall across the table. Penny is absolutely delighted, her giggles ringing out louder than any storm could ever be.
Olivia isn’t ready to go home once we’ve finished eating, and since there’s really only one bar in town, we end up in The Hollow.
The moment we step inside, the familiar murmur of voices, the clinking of glasses, and the soft glow of low hanging lights pull me in like a magnet.
Though it’s quieter than usual tonight. There’s no live band, just the low hum of conversation and a jukebox playing an old rock ballad in the background.
Olivia practically drags me to the bar, a devilish grin spreading across her face. "You know, I didn't come all the way to Coyote Glen to sit at home and go to bed early."
She nudges me, clearly ready to cause some trouble.
I roll my eyes but can't help the small laugh that escapes. "You’re impossible."
We slide onto stools, the bartender gives Olivia a nod of recognition. He’s already pouring her a whiskey without her even having to ask.
"One for you too, Ivy?" he asks, his voice as casual as always.
I glance at Olivia, who’s already spinning on her stool with the kind of carefree energy that makes me both envy and admire her.
"Sure," I say with a shrug. "Why not?"
Arlo sets the drink in front of me with a wink. "On the house. We could use some fun in here tonight.”
I smile my thanks as Olivia clinks her glass against mine, already looking for her next mischief.
We’re not even halfway through our drinks when Olivia catches sight of someone entering the bar. Her eyes flick tome, and then back to the figure walking through the door. She doesn't have to say a word, her raised brow and the glint in her eye speak volumes.
"Guess who just walked in?" she whispers, leaning toward me, her tone full of playful curiosity.
I follow her gaze reluctantly, and sure enough, standing at the door, looking every bit as effortlessly cool as he always does, is Mitchell.
“That’s him? Thedangeroustwin, right?” Olivia is pretty much giddy. “I get to meet them all today!”
My stomach flips, my pulse picking up speed. I can feel the knot tightening in my chest before I can even fully process why.
“Oh, yes! Ivy. He’s coming over.”
I try to act like I’m not freaking out on the inside. But as Mitchell makes his way through the bar, his green eyes locking with mine from across the room, it feels like the space between us is both too much and not enough.
