Page 92 of Ink Me Three Times
Freddie
Standing in the kitchen,leaning against the counter with my mug of coffee, pretending I’m not looking at the clock every thirty seconds isnothow I planned my early morning.
Waiting for the knock.
One thatfinallycomes.
I drop the mug back onto the counter with a little too much force. My pulse skips.
Ever since dinner with her and her friend, I haven’t been able to wait for this moment. To see Ivy again, with the ice thawed a little.
I open the door, and there she is.
"Hey," Ivy says, voice a little hoarse like she’s still waking up. She’s got a couple bags in her hands, her usual worn jeans and hoodie combo. Somehow, even that looks like it could be on a runway. “I hope I’m not too early.”
I force myself to pull my eyes away from her and nod. "Nah, you’re good."
I step aside to let her in, and she walks past me, a quick flash of movement, but it makes the air feel heavier, more real. Penny’s already on her heels, calling out her name like she’s just met a rockstar.
“You want coffee?” I ask, sliding my hands into my pockets to keep myself from doing something dumb, like reaching out to touch her arm. "I’m about to brew another pot."
“Ah, that soundsamazing.”
I pour the coffee, hand it over to her when she walks into the kitchen, and I feel the pulse of energy between us as she takes the mug from my hand. Her fingers brush mine for the briefest moment, and I feel it all the way down my spine.
“Thanks,” she says, but her gaze lingers on me just a little longer than it should.
“How was the rest of your night?” I ask, leaning against the counter, suddenly not in a hurry to get anywhere. “Did you and Olivia have fun?”
She sips her coffee, eyes flicking over to me before she answers. “Yeah. She’s gone now, back to work, and I already miss her. But it was so much fun.”
I nod, watching the way she curls her fingers around the mug. She’s here. She’s right in front of me. And yet… something’s off.
She’s here, but she’s nothere.
I try not to overanalyze it. Maybe she’s just tired. Maybe she’s sad about Olivia leaving. Maybe it’s nothing.
I nudge her shoulder lightly with mine. “So what happened after me and Penny saw you? A wild night?”
She gives me a half smile, the kind that’s supposed to be polite but feels more like a door closing. “No, we kept it pretty chill. A couple of drinks at The Hollow, that’s all.”
Right.
I wait for her to make a joke. Or tease me. Or even roll her eyes. But nothing.
I try again anyway. “Shame. If I was with you, things would have gottencrazy.”
This time, she lets out a soft laugh, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”
Next time.
But there’s no warmth behind it.
I look at her again, really look. She’s not making eye contact. She’s doing that thing where she stares at the mug like it's going to give her the answers. Her shoulders are tight. She’s here out of routine, not choice.
What the hell is going on?
I watch her, trying to decode the silence between us. Ivy’s isn’t the type to fake a mood… she’s either all in or all out. And right now, it’s like she’s sitting on the edge of something sharp, trying not to bleed.
