Page 29 of Shit Happens in Ivydell

Finding her balance may have come at a cost, but she’s thriving on her own terms. Her choices would seem bizarre to some people, including the person I was three weeks ago. The person I am right now admires the hell out of her.

She’s not the type of friend who wants to ooh and ahh over my purchases. All she wants to know is if I’m happy with them. Part of me wants to pull them all out of the bags and show off each piece, but she’d shut me down. Knowing I’m satisfied is where her concern ends. And that’s okay.

Mom will put up with the pictorial fashion show I’m going to send her tomorrow.

Jensen might indulge me, though he’ll be much more interested in how easily the outfits come off. That’s okay, too.

We get on the road early to head back to Ivydell. We’ve been gone less than twenty-four hours, but it feels longer. Stopping at the same taco stand feels obligatory, like it’s our thing, a tradition, even though we’ve only done it once.

I wonder if we’ll ever do it again after today. Maybe I’ll introduce someone else to it someday. I’ll think of Josephine if I do.

“Hey, before I forget, will you help me with the sign for Jensen’s casita? I need you to do the lettering to match the way you did it on his tattoo.”

“Yeah. Of course.”

The last hour of the ride goes by in a flash.

Petra and Dice are standing in front of Myrna’s casita, talking with concerned looks on their faces. When we get out of Josephine’s car, they all stand taller and force smiles as they wave to us. Stiff. Fake.

“Is it just me?” I ask.

“Uh-uh. Something’s up. I’ve never seen the three of them standing around, shooting the shit together. Dice only buddies up with the guys. He’s nice enough, but he doesn’t just randomly hang out with Petra or Myrna.”

Jensen is at my door five minutes later. His welcome home kiss is warm, but his body is tense.

“Did something happen here while I was gone?”

“You were only gone for a day.”

“I know. But it seems like there’s a weird tension in the air.”

“Oh, no. Are the spooky sisters rubbing off on you?”

“Don’t patronize me like that. What’s going on?”

“Nothing, as far as I know.”

His words are rushed and he won’t look me in the eye. He’s a direct eye contact guy.

“Why are you being weird?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say sexual frustration.” His firm hands grab my hips, but instead of pulling me to him like he usually does, he steps forward to bring his body to mine.

“How about a fashion show? I can model all my new clothes for you.”

“Yes. You put them on, and I’ll take them off.” Okay, maybe he’s not acting weird after all.

Jensen

Intermission and Encores

I think Ivy boughtout an entire boutique while she was in Albuquerque. She looks amazing in every outfit, especially the sundresses. But she looks best in between outfits when she lets me undress her.

Taking off her clothes could never get old, but my dick is throbbing.

She still has one more bag to go, but I can’t wait. “Intermission.”

I pull her onto the bed with me and kiss her before she can argue. Her body relaxes as I deepen the kiss. She maneuvers her limbs to assist as I remove her bra and panties. When I slide myhand between her legs, she moans into my mouth, and I know she wants this intermission as much as I do.

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