Page 87

Chapter 24

Ivy’s hand went tothe ring on her finger. She frowned. It had gone, and she missed having something to play with. All of her jewelry had gone. When she’d learned what Karn planned to do for Billy, she’d decided to help.

Cybernetic implants were expensive. Even when Billy had sold everything Karn owned, he was still short of money.

Ivy didn’t miss her stuff, not really. She’d kept her designer jumpsuits—she needed something to wear until her expanding stomach forced her into smocks, and Prince Charming still had his elaborate home in her apartment. All the rings, bracelets, and necklaces she’d collected over the years, along with her designer shoes, had gone.

It had been worth it. The last time she’d seen Billy, he’d been chatting up a gorgeous girl with blonde curls and freckles. She’d been getting excited over his new cybernetic implant.

Besides, Ivy needed to liquidate her assets to pay for the fast-growing baby bump. Forka babies kicked like mules and demanded feeding every few hours. It was always the same salty fermented cabbage. Everything had to have a side of it, or she got sick.

“Ivy? Did you hear me?”

She slid her gaze to Avril. “Of course not. I never listen to what you say.”

Avril frowned. “I offered you a cookie. I thought the baby might like one.”

Ivy pursed her lips. She sometimes slipped back into her default bitch mode. She’d been spending more time with everyone in the office over the last three weeks. It was a part of Diadora’s conditions about her returning to work. It wasn’t awful. Sometimes, when they got squeaky and excited over a new match, she still wanted to kill them, but they could also be fun.

Vegas had a sarcastic side to her. Heather was perpetually bouncy and enthusiastic, forcing Ivy to smile now and again. Nell was the quiet one, but she was super smart and insightful. She’d even given Ivy a few tips about smuggling things into Karn’s prison when she went to visit. She’d never managed to get it out of Nell how she knew about things like that.

Then there was Avril. Cute, pixie faced Avril, with her messy red curls and green eyes. Ivy had no clue how the woman stayed so trim. She was always making cookies and bringing them to the office. She was sort of sweet in a cloying way.

“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.” Ivy selected a chocolate chip cookie and took a bite. She wrinkled her nose, pulled a jar of fermented cabbage from her purse, and added a dollop. She tried again. That was better.

“Does the cabbage make the chocolate taste better?” Avril stared in horror at Ivy’s concoction.

“Baby thinks so.” Ivy patted her stomach.

Avril settled at the desk opposite her. “It’s so cool you’re having a baby. Was that who you were thinking about? Or was it Karn?”

Ivy snorted a laugh as she took another cookie. “I don’t obsess about my boyfriend.”

“Of course not. You are the most independent woman I know. I envy you.”

“You’re independent,” Ivy said. “I don’t see you hanging off the arm of some gorgeous alien like this lot does.”

Avril twisted a strand of her hair around one finger. “Aliens don’t seem to like me. I think it’s the color of my hair. Red is not a common color among aliens.”

“Your hair is not the problem,” Heather said from the other side of the room. “It’s your obsession with role-play. Aliens don’t get it. They think it’s weird.”

Ivy arched an eyebrow. “Role-play? You mean you get dressed up in some medieval costume and go running around a forest with a bunch of losers?”

“Nothing like that. Well, maybe it’s a bit like that. We’re not losers. We use the holo-suite. It’s great. It’s so realistic.”

“You tell the hot aliens you meet that you’re interested in role-play?” Ivy asked.

“I enjoy it. I do it every chance I have. My alien mate will have to understand that. I want him to join me on my adventures.”

“I can see why you’re single,” Ivy said. “You make great cookies, but no one will fall for a geek in a medieval tunic.”

“I don’t wear tunics. The costumes are all authentic to the era and handmade.” Avril’s gaze dropped to Ivy’s bare fingers. “Where is your lovely diamond ring?”

Ivy shrugged. “Gone. I had a few debts to clear and some other things to pay for.”

“Are you saving to get a place with Karn and the baby when he gets out?”

“Something like that,” Ivy said.