But when I wake in the morning, the pillow beside me has an indent and the mattress is warm.
There's a message on my phone. Asher's name causing my heart to jump.
Had to go to class. I'm sorry to leave without a goodbye but I didn't want to wake you.
Chapter 19
Tip nineteen; don't be afraid to experiment.
Ivy
Islide into the seat across from Charlie just as she's lifting her coffee, nearly making her jump out of her skin.
Her head snaps up, eyes wide, mouth open for half a second before she exhales hard and laughs, shoulders dropping.
"Jesus, Ivy," she says. "Warn a girl."
I grin, nudging the second cup I hold toward her. "You looked like you needed another."
She takes it gratefully, wrapping both hands around the cup like she's grounding herself. "God, I love you. You're the best."
I tilt my head, studying her. "You okay? You're a little jumpy."
She laughs, but it cuts off too quickly. "Yeah. Just...yeah. I'm fine. My manager decided today was the day she was going tochange my shift with zero warning." She rolls her eyes, groaning under her breath.
"Can they do that?" I take a sip. "And sorry I'm late, lost track of time getting ready."
She shakes her head, dark hair falling into her blue eyes. She brushes the strands back behind her ear. "It's fine. And I don't know? Nobody ever complains when she does so maybe? I don't have the energy to deal with it though."
Before I can respond, my phone vibrates on the table. I glance at the screen and see Asher's name flash across it. Quickly, I place the phone back, screen down, not wanting to be caught texting Charlie's brother in front of her.
She slumps in her seat, eyes dropping to her cup. She stirs it slowly, once, twice, like she's working up to something.
I lean forward. "Hey. What's up?"
She opens her mouth.
My phone vibrates again, then a third time. Charlie's eyes flick to the phone. "Is that important? Do you need to get it?"
I shake my head, trying to sound casual. "No, it's just Leon."
The lie tastes wrong.
She leans forward slightly, elbows resting on the table. "Leon? What did he want?"
I frown slightly and shrug. "Probably something to do with the team meeting tonight." I roll my eyes. "You know my brother, everything he does is centred around hockey."
Charlie nods, biting her lip. "Yeah, of course."
I watch her for a moment, sensing something is off. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem really distracted."
"No, yeah. Can I talk to you about something?"
"What is it?"
Charlotte inhales. "So . . . the other night-"
My phone vibrates again.
