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The bathroom and living room are finally done. My bedroom’s next and will be done as soon as I make a dent in this mountain of laundry. That leaves the kitchen, which I hate, for last.
“I should’ve sprung for that damn dishwasher,” I grumble as I fill the sink with hot, sudsy water.
The doorbell sounds, and when I lower the volume of the music, I realize it’s ringing frantically as if there’s an emergency. I dry my hands and rush to the front door, peeking out to see who it is since I’m not expecting—or wanting—company today.
I see a familiar face and unlock the door. “Stone. What are you doing here?”
He flashes a wide grin, perfect teeth on display, and raises a familiar brown bag with Tio Tito’s mustached smile holding a margarita glass. “Thought I’d surprise you with lunch.”
He didn’t just bring lunch—he brought my favorite. I’ll bet all of tomorrow’s tips that inside that bag is the taco trio. Damn him and his thoughtfulness. I step aside and let him in, fighting a smile because I don’t want him to think I’m happy he stopped by. I’m not. I’m still mad about the ghosting.
Stone looks around the living room and then turns to face me, blue eyes full of mischief. “Cleaning day?”
I nod. “Hazel gave me the day off, so I figured I’d tackle some housework.” Alone, I want to add, but I don’t.
“You have time to stop for lunch? These tacos aren’t gonna eat themselves.”
“For Tio Tito’s? Always.” I stop fighting the smile and let her loose as I grab the bag from his hands and head to the kitchen. “I just started cleaning in here.”
He frowns, shrugging as he takes the bag back and starts unloading the items inside. “Looks clean to me.”
“Beer or soda?”
“Beer,” he answers. “And water.”
I grab two waters and a bottle of beer in one arm, plates in the other before Stone takes the plates. “Thanks.”
We both sit and dig into the tacos—the trio for me—in a mildly tense silence at first. Eventually, Stone breaks the silence. He’s not one to let tension settle without facing it head-on. I’ve missed that about him, missed having him force me to face my bullshit.
“I’m sorry, Ivy.”
“Sorry for ignoring my calls and texts?”
He smiles. “Some, I guess.” He laughs at the frown his answer causes. “I didn’t like seeing you in Gray’s arms yesterday, and I couldn’t understand why. At first.”
Uh. Oh.
“I noticed how beautiful you are now because I’m not fucking blind. You’ve always been beautiful, Ivy. I can’t deny the attraction I feel, not to myself anyway. But that’s not your problem. I guess I’m fucking jealous that Gray has you now when I was going to make you mine that summer.” He clears his throat. “Before all the shit went down.”
His jaws clench, and I know he’s right back in that fucking parking lot, replaying events he can’t change.
My heart jumps at his words. Stone is attracted to me. Admits that he wants me. That he wanted me five years ago. Shut up, stupid heart.
I sigh. “I have a lot of guilt about that night, too,” I admit. “I shouldn’t have dressed up like that. If I’d just dressed normally, you wouldn’t have fought that prick, and he would still be alive to get his ass kicked again.”
“Fuck that, Ivy. No one has a right to touch you, not even if you’re butt-ass naked walking around downtown Opey.”
I smile at his protective streak, still present and overbearing. “Still. I bear some of the blame, but you got all the punishment.”
He nods, and my heart sinks. “I felt that way at first, too.”
“What changed?”
He lifts his broad shoulders before letting them drop dramatically. “I grew up. It wasn’t a punishment, or it wasn’t meant to be. They were trying to keep me and the MC safe. And I learned a lot while I was away. The worst part was missing you.”
“I missed you too, Stone. A lot.” Too fucking much.
“So we’re good?” The hope in his eyes is so reminiscent of the playful glint that’s danced in my mind since he left.
