“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” Violet says from beside me. “But it looks and smells delicious.”
Ivy’s smile widens at Violet, but then she looks at me, and it falters. “Drew should have asked more questions. Preparation is key.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Violet mutters.
“In my defense, you two got home after I was already asleep.”
“That was last night,” Ivy says.
“Well, I was busy today,” I grumble.
Ivy’s lips twitch. “Busy doing what? Pretending to be Rocky Balboa?”
“What?” Sebastian’s brows fly up, amusement on his face. “Did you go for a run again?”
“No, I did not go for a run,” I huff.
“He was jumping rope. With an imaginary jump rope,” Ivy supplies cheerfully.
Violet looks down at her feet, biting her lip so hard it’s probably bleeding.
Meanwhile, Sebastian doubles down. “Jumping rope? Where? Why?”
Ivy pats his chest. “In his room.”
“What?” Sebastian stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“He was giving himself affirmations. Like a pep talk.”
I see Violet’s lips twitch as she fights for control.
“Okay.” I hold up my hand. “We aren’t doing this.”
Ivy and Sebastian exchange a look while I pretend not to die of humiliation.
Violet shifts beside me, and that’s when I see Mr. Pickles sitting at her feet. Like he chose a position and is guarding her.
I shake my head. “Unbelievable.”
“Okay, sit,” Ivy says, bustling toward the table. “It’s time to eat.”
I gesture for Violet to go ahead of me, then pull out a chair for her beside the spot I normally sit. Sebastian watches with a smirk. I almost flip him off.
“Thank you, Drew,” she says as she lowers herself. She moves with an effortless grace. Kind of like a cat.
Mr. Pickles positions himself beside her again, glaring at me like I’m in his way.
I shake my head, ignoring him. Or trying to.
As I push her chair in, I inhale her scent. She smells like jasmine.
It's suddenly all I can focus on.
Mr. Pickles stares up at me. I swear the bastard’s saying,Don’t screw this up with her, or I’ll claw your balls.
Considering that’s not the first time that’s happened, I shift slightly, trying to protect my sensitive anatomy.
I take Violet’s plate. “Would you like some steak? Or lasagna? Or both?”
