“Thank you.” My heart felt so full that at any minute it would burst from my chest. “I always loved the idea of cocktails, but I never really had the free time to try them.”
What I loved even more was that he specially ordered glasses to make the cocktail for me.
I took another sip. Given the lightness sneaking through my shoulders, I think he was a little heavy handed with the rum.
“Hey, bartender.” Ivy pointed to my drink. “Does that come in a non-alcoholic version?”
Noah grinned and got to work making Ivy a concoction in the same fancy glass. He slid it to her. As she took her first sip, a man wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek.
“I missed you.” His hands slid to her belly. “Both of you.”
Ivy cupped his cheek with one hand. “You’re lucky. This drink is so good I might have gone home with it instead.”
The guy growled, nuzzling Ivy’s neck. “I bet that drink doesn’t satisfy you like I do.”
Ivy tapped a finger on her lips, thinking. “This is true. You win. But can we at least stay until I finish it?”
He kissed her forehead. “Take your time. I need to talk to Noah anyway.” He straightened, turning to me. “Mia, right? I’m Liam.”
I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He glanced to Noah. “You got a second?”
Noah nodded and the two disappeared into a room past the kitchen.
“So,” Ivy sipped her drink. “Noah told me you inherited Joan’s house.”
“I did. But I’d like to have it on the market at the end of summer.”
My chest tightened, and I wasn’t sure why. I wanted to sell Joan’s place. Yet, now saying it aloud stirred this weird feeling. Was it doubt? If so, why? I couldn’t rethink my plans just because I’d met an incredible guy who also happened to be the same wolf I befriended as a teenager. The same wolf who’d stolen my heart.
Yet, here I was, reconsidering my plan.
“You’re selling it?” Ivy frowned. “Oh. Will another Whitcome buy it?”
“I doubt it. I’m an only child.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “That’s a relief.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. These damn pregnancy hormones have me jumbling all my words.”
She laughed it off, though her tone suggested she knew exactly what she’d said. She sipped her drink.
“Why are you relieved I don’t have any siblings?”
Her fingers stilled on the straw, avoiding eye contact.
“Ivy.”
She slowly turned her head to me, searching my eyes for a moment. “It’s really not my place to say.”
Prickles raced over my arms. “Say what?”
“Ivy,” Liam said, startling me.
I spun to find Liam and Noah standing behind the bar. Color drained from Noah’s face.
Liam squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “There’s no one here. I’ll close the door on our way out.”
Noah’s gaze held mine. He nodded. My heart pounded like crazy. What the hell were they keeping from me?