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I look between the two of them and wait for Ainsley’s inevitable question.

“So are you two going to give me the same answer that you’ve rehearsed for the media, or am I going to get the truth out of you?”

“One and the same,” I say.

Ainsley just laughs and shakes her head. “How did this happen?” she asks. “I mean, you met one night, and two weeks later you were married. Am I going to get the real story?”

Dex walks through the door, saving me from answering that. He glowers a bit at Cash before his eyes land on his wife, who he walks over and gives a kiss to. He kisses Jack next, and then he turns to me and pulls me into a hug.

“Hey, baby sis,” he says, and I roll my eyes. He knows how much I fucking hate it when he calls me baby anything. He’s just doing it to make me seem even younger in front of Cash, and anger burns inside me. I won’t unleash it, though. Not yet.

“Maddox,” he says to Cash and gives him a nod of his head.

“Nice place you got here,” Cash says.

“The fuck you think you’re doing with my sister?” Dex demands rather than thanking him for his kind words about his home.

Oh boy, this isn’t going to go well.

I’m about to jump in when Ainsley beats me to it.

“Dex, be nice. They’re our guests.”

He holds up both hands. “Hey, I wasn’t the one who invited them over.”

Ainsley and I exchange a glance, and she takes Jack from my arms and carries him into the kitchen, where music plays and might drown out the words that may color this particular conversation.

“Bro, let’s just put the past behind us,” Cash suggests. “We’re family now.”

“Not by my choice, and not what I would’ve picked for my little sister,” Dex scoffs. “What do you want with us, anyway? You’ve met like twice, and now you’re married?”

“Shut up, Dex,” I mutter.

He whirls on me. “Excuse me?”

“You can drop the holier-than-thou act. As I recall, you married Ainsley for your own reasons, and none of us were invited. We have our reasons, too, and we’re in this. Get used to it. Now can we move past this and enjoy our evening, or are you going to continue being a jerk to my husband?”

He rolls his eyes at my words, but in some small way, it feels like I put him in his place.

The food arrives, and we all dig in. Dex is cautious with Cash, and he never really thaws out toward him. I don’t love his attitude, but I’m pretty sure Ainsley will put him in his place after we leave. Ainsley and I carry the conversation, and Cash is the same Cash I’ve been getting to know. I guess my hope is that with time, Cash and Dex will find some way to get along. The best-case scenario would be for them to find a way to be friends so we can double date.

But after tonight, I guess I just don’t see that happening anytime soon.

CHAPTER 20: Ivy Maddox

Nocturno

I actually do like my job.

As someone who’s sort of floundering with exactly what she wants to do with her life, I wouldn’t have dreamed up brand strategist. But it’s interesting work. Everleigh said she’s going to start giving me responsibilities on the campaign side, like coordinating photoshoots and working with designers. I like feeling like I’m helping make a difference for the companies we work for.

When Cash was here in the office last week, I felt important. I felt like I mattered, like I was a part of the company. When he’s not here, I’m relegated back to nothing more than an assistant.

Nobody takes me seriously.

I’m the owner’s sister, so everyone’s nice to me. But I’m still a junior. I’m still new. I’m still learning.

To be fair, all that is true. But somehow Cash made me feel like what I do matters. Like I’m more capable than anyone else here gives me credit for.