He blinks slowly. He looks skeptical.
Dial it back.
We’re easing into the truth, not launching it at his face.
I lean forward slightly, redirecting the conversation. “Do you like it? Living with him?”
He hesitates again.
“Yeah,” he says slowly. “I mean… yeah, it’s fine. It just makes sense right now.”
I nod, filing that away.
Temporary.
Good to know.
“Are you close?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Yeah. Sebastian’s—he’s… a lot sometimes, but yeah. We’re close.”
I smile. “I think that’s sweet.”
He looks surprised by that. Like he wasn’t expecting me to say it.
He opens his mouth to say something, but a deep voice interrupts. “Drew.”
We both look up.
Sebastian stands beside the table, his wife tucked against his side. His eyes flick from Drew to me, sharp and assessing.
He doesn’t trust me yet.
And he’s protective of his younger brother.
How nice.
Ivy, on the other hand, gives me a smile that lights up her entire face before turning her attention to Drew.
“Well, this is interesting,” she says, stepping forward without hesitation. “You disappear for five minutes and come back with a girl?”
Drew immediately straightens. “It’s not— I mean, we just met?—”
“I’m Violet,” I cut in smoothly, standing and offering my hand.
Ivy ignores it and pulls me into a quick hug instead.
Oh, wow. I like her.I think we’re going to be good friends.
When she pulls back, she says, “I’m Ivy. And this is my husband, Sebastian.”
Sebastian nods once, still watching me. He’s not smiling.
“Nice to meet you.”Finally.
“You found him fast,” Ivy adds, glancing between us.
I smile sweetly. “I’m very good at spotting what I want.”
