"Better than I expected. We actually talk now. About work, about the business. Sometimes about other things." He rolls his shoulders. “I’m trying not to fuck it up."
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do, actually." I hold his gaze, letting him see I mean it. "You've changed, Thorne. Anyone paying attention can see it."
"Ivy—" He reaches out, his fingers almost touching my hip, then seems to think better of it. He steps back and clears his throat. "We should probably switch to something non-alcoholic. Can't have you driving home tipsy."
I exhale slowly. "Practical and responsible? Who are you and what have you done with Thorne Blackstone?"
"Hilarious." But he's grinning as he pulls a pitcher from the refrigerator. "Sweet tea or lemonade?"
"Lemonade."
He pours us both glasses, and we migrate to the breakfast nook. "Ivy—"
The front door opens, and heels click on marble. "Thorne!" Lillianna's voice carries through the house. "Are you home?"
"In the kitchen."
His sister appears in the doorway moments later, sleek in a navy pantsuit. Her dark hair is pulled back in a sleek ponytail. She spots me and grins.
"Ivy! I didn't know you'd be here." She drops her bag on the counter and pulls me into a quick hug. "How are you? How's the firm prep going?"
"Good. Hectic, but good." I gesture to Thorne. "He was just helping me celebrate."
"With champagne at four in the afternoon?" Lillianna's eyebrow arches. "How very decadent of you both."
"We switched to lemonade.” Thorne grins. “We’re not complete heathens.”
"Debatable." But she's smiling as she pours herself a glass. "Madison's here?"
"Pool. With her friend."
Lillianna's grin turns wicked. “Is it the friend with the crush on you?"
“Christ,” Thorne mutters, then says, “New subject. How’s the apartment hunt going?”
“Slow. I’m picky.”
“Does this mean you’re staying?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Maybe. Rosalia doesn't need me at 3Bs as much anymore. She's got a great management team in place. But my tutoring program has way more students than I expected, and..." She looks at Thorne. “This guy and Sebastian are trying to convince me to join the family business. But doing what? I’m a teacher, not a businesswoman.”
“Bullshit. You’ve been helping Rosalia with 3Bs,” Thorne argues.
“Helping, not running.”
“And we don’t need you to run the distillery, just help.”
Lillianna pins him with a look. “Don’t be a smartass.”
He places a hand on his heart. “I’d never.” He looks at me and winks.
I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“Are you staying for a bit?” Lillianna asks me.
