Chapter 131

“Hey, Fay,” Ivan says, smirking at me as I cross the parking lot to him. His eyes sweep over me, as they “Thanks,” I say breezily, stepping close to him and unable to keep myself from grinning up into his fac “Ahhh,” he says, the corner of his mouth pulling up into that smile that makes my stomach twist as he I laugh, shaking my head at him. “So that’s what it was?” I ask, a little miffed but pleased to hear that “Well,” Ivan says, turning his head a little to the side, “if you didn’t text me afterwards, it was me holdi Ivan lets his sentence trail off there, smiling down at me, shifting his weight to move even closer. And “Ahem,” Jerome says, not even pretending to clear his throat and just saying the word. I jump a little b “Oh, hey Jerome,” Ivan says after a second, leaning away from me and giving Jerome a charming smile. I blink in surprise and see Jerome frown for a second. Honestly, I don’t think either of us thought that Jerome opens his mouth to answer, but I interrupt, grabbing Ivan’s hand.

“Come on,” I say, tugging him inward towards the stalls. “Come meet Heathcliff.”

Ivan grins at me and lets himself be lead along. When we arrive at Heathcliff’s stall I drop Ivan’s hand aisle.

“Come inside,” I say, gesturing for him to come forward.

“I’m good,” Ivan says, grinning at me and holding up a hand. “I am…close enough out here.”

“What?” I breathe, and then I laugh as I figure out that Ivan is afraid. My eyes flick to Jerome, who stop “Um,” Ivan says, taking a step back and watching the dark stall warily. “Do you want to shut that door “Ivan!” I laugh, grabbing his hand. “It’s fine! He’s a big softie -”