Page 1 of Ajax

ONE

IVY

I gritmy teeth and try not to look atthatcorner of the room.

Mitchell walks past and squeezes my shoulder along the way. “You okay?”

I shrug.

My boss knows I’ve got a thing for Ajax Monroe. I have done for a while now. While his friends can get noisy, Ajax is all dark and broody—my type of man.

Not that I really have much of a type. I’ve been in the same rural town my whole life, and the choice of eligible men here isn’t that great.

But I’ve been enamoured of Ajax since the day we met.

He and his friends, Cookie, Digby, and Shane, were all in the army. And something happened as he has scars—I don’t know the extent of what he’s been through, but the long scar down his cheek tells a story.

I’m outgoing and I talk a lot, but I clam up with him and I’m not sure I’ll ever be brave enough to approach.

And tonight I’ve missed my chance.

A giggle bursts from the corner of the pub I’m trying desperately not to glance at, and my heart sinks.

Ajax, Digby, and Cookie are all in that corner—and they’ve got a new friend. A woman new to the area headed straight for Ajax when they walked in, and now they’re all laughing and joking. I don’t know who she is—the only thing I know is her name is Victoria.

She came in a few days ago, and has apparently been in every night for a drink since.

And today, she’s throwing herself at the man I like.

I chew my bottom lip as Digby pulls himself away from the fun and walks toward the bar.

“Another round, please, Ivy,” he says, placing their empty glasses on the bar.

I nod, picking it up and pouring another beer. In my haste to get this done, I slop beer on the mat. I’m well aware I’m not my usual chirpy self, but I can’t help it.

“What’s up your nose?” Digby says.

Mitchell nudges my arm. “Ivy’s just tired. Aren’t you, Ivy?”

I nod. “Yeah, that’s it.”

He fixes his gaze on me as I pour their drinks.

“Mitchell should give you a pay rise. You’re always working so hard.”

That’s enough to make me crack a smile. “Thank you. Mitchell pays me pretty well already. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

“You’re welcome.” He beams.

I place the last glass on the bar, and then hand Digby the card terminal.

“Looks like the new girl has taken a liking to Ajax.”

Why don’t you just stab me in the chest?

“Looks like it.”

I wait for him to swipe his card, and turn my back.

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