Chapter Twenty Four.

The cafe was its usual lively self, the air filled with the hum of conversation and the scent of coffee and freshly baked goods. I had just finished setting out a tray of choc chip muffins when I felt it—a shift in the atmosphere, a familiar warmth curling in my chest before the scent of salted caramel hit me.

I looked up, and there he was.

Theo sat in a corner booth, one arm draped lazily across the backrest, his golden hair catching the light streaming in through the window. His brown eyes were fixed on me, warm and steady, and the faintest of smiles tugged at his lips.

I froze for a moment, caught off guard. He hadn’t said when he’d visit, only that he would. And yet, here he was.

He caught my eye and tilted his head, his smile growing as he motioned for me to join him. I glanced toward Clara, who was busy at the register, and decided I could spare a few minutes.

As I approached, I noticed the raspberry muffin sitting untouched on the table in front of him.

“You’re finally keeping your promise,” I teased lightly, sliding into the booth across from him.

His smile widened, and the rich caramel scent that clung to him grew stronger, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. “I said I’d visit this week, didn’t I?”

“You did,” I admitted, my lips twitching into a smile. “I just didn’t think you’d sneak in like this.”

“Figured I’d catch you off guard,” he replied, leaning forward slightly. “Looks like it worked.”

My gaze flicked to the muffin. “What’s this?”

“For you,” he said simply, pushing the plate toward me.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “You didn’t have to.”

“Yes, I did,” he said, his tone firm but warm. “I told you, I’d take care of you.”

My cheeks flushed as I broke off a piece of the muffin. The sweet taste of raspberries melted on my tongue, and I smiled despite myself. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“And yet, here you are, eating the muffin I got you,” he shot back, his brown eyes gleaming with amusement.

The easy banter flowed between us, but there was something else in his gaze—something deeper, more intense. He leaned forward, his voice softening.

“I missed you,” he admitted, the words simple yet heavy.

“I missed you too,” I said, my voice quieter than I’d intended.

Without a word, Theo stood and slid into the booth beside me, his presence overwhelming and comforting all at once. His arm rested casually on the back of the seat, his other hand brushing against mine on the table.

“Ivy,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that low, commanding tone that sent shivers down my spine. “You know you’re mine, don’t you?”

I swallowed hard, the salted caramel scent surrounding me, grounding me. “I know,” I whispered.

“Good,” he said, and then his lips were on mine.

The kiss started soft, his lips moving gently against mine, but it deepened quickly, the possessive edge unmistakable. His hand cupped the back of my neck, holding me to him, his thumb brushing soothingly against my skin even as his lips claimed me.

When he finally pulled back, my breath was shaky, and my heart was racing. His brown eyes burned into mine, his expression satisfied but still somehow tender.

“You taste like raspberries,” he murmured, his voice teasing but his tone low and serious.

“You taste like trouble,” I shot back, though my voice wavered.

He chuckled, his arm slipping from the back of the booth to drape over my shoulders. “Good thing you like trouble then.”

I rested my head against his shoulder for a moment, letting the warmth of his presence settle over me.

Theo stayed longer than I expected, chatting with me between customers and occasionally stealing small kisses that left me blushing. By the time he finally left, I felt lighter, as his scent lingered, a reminder of his promise to always show up.

~~~

The apartment was filled with the scent of buttery popcorn and the faint sweetness of Morgan’s favourite candle that always made the place feel warm and inviting. I was curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over my legs, when Morgan emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with glasses of rosé and a plate of cookies she’d baked earlier.

“Clara said she’d be here in ten,” Morgan announced, plopping down beside me. Her dark hair was swept into a messy bun, and her oversized sweatshirt hung off one shoulder.

“She’s gonna love these cookies,” I said, grabbing one and taking a bite. They were perfectly soft, with just the right amount of chocolate chips. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”

Morgan grinned, brushing imaginary dust off her shoulder. “I try. Figured we deserved something sweet for our girls’ night.”

The doorbell rang not long after, and Morgan jumped up to get it. Moments later, Clara walked in, her blonde curls bouncing and her powdered sugar scent filling the room. She was holding a bottle of wine and a bag of what looked like fancy chocolates.

“Ladies!” she greeted, her warm brown eyes lighting up as she kicked off her shoes and joined us. “I brought reinforcements.”

“Always a hero,” I teased, making room for her on the couch.

Once Clara settled in, we poured drinks, passed around the snacks, and queued up an old rom-com on the TV. But the movie quickly became background noise as the three of us fell into easy conversation.

“So,” Clara started, turning to me with a sly smile, “how’s life with the pack? Must be nice being surrounded by all that testosterone.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s... complicated.”

Morgan raised an eyebrow, curling her legs under her. “Complicated how? They’re all completely obsessed with you.”

“It’s not that simple,” I said, fiddling with the edge of my blanket. “There’s so much to navigate—different personalities, different dynamics. And then there’s me, trying to figure out how I fit into all of it.”

Clara leaned forward, her expression softening. “Ivy, you’re overthinking. They chose you. All of them. That’s huge.”

“I know,” I admitted. “And I’m coming around to it. It’s just... overwhelming sometimes. Like, how do I balance being myself while also being everything they need?”

Morgan reached over, squeezing my hand. “You don’t have to be everything, Ivy. Just be you. That’s who they fell for.”

“Exactly,” Clara added. “And if anyone gives you grief, you’ve got us to back you up.”

I smiled, grateful for their support. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Morgan grinned. “Well, for starters, you’d probably be a lot less entertained. Speaking of which—Clara, any updates on your love life?”

Clara groaned, throwing a pillow at Morgan. “Why does this always come back to me?”

“Because you’re the only one of us who hasn’t spilled any tea tonight,” I said, laughing.

Clara sighed dramatically but couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine. There’s this guy at work—he’s sweet, funny, and ridiculously cute. But I’m not sure if he’s into me or just being nice.”

I almost spit take.

"It's Greg isn't it!" I exclaim excited.

Clara's flush is answer enough.

I squeal.

Morgan rolled her eyes. “Girl, you’re gorgeous. He’s definitely into you.”

We spent the next hour teasing Clara, laughing at her stories, and swapping ridiculous anecdotes about bad dates. But as the laughter died down and the wine started to kick in, a quieter thought had been nagging at me, and I finally found the courage to voice it.

“Hey, Morgan?” I asked, glancing at her as she fiddled with the hem of her sweatshirt.

“Hmm?” she replied, looking up from her glass.

“Would you... would you be mad if I moved in with them?” The words felt heavy as I said them, like I was admitting something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face yet.

Morgan’s eyes widened slightly, but then her expression softened. “Mad? No. Why would I be mad?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, wrapping my blanket tighter around me. “It just feels like a big step, you know? And I don’t want you to feel like I’m abandoning you or anything.”

Morgan set her glass down and moved closer, pulling me into a side hug. “Ivy, you’re not abandoning me. You’re building something with them, and that’s amazing. Of course, I’ll miss you—we’ve had so many good times here. But you deserve to be happy, and if being with them feels right, then I’m all for it.”

I felt a lump in my throat and leaned into her. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime,” she said, giving me a playful nudge. “But don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily. I’ll still be crashing your place for girls’ nights.”

Clara raised her glass, her smile warm. “To Ivy’s new adventure—and to her remembering her friends when she’s surrounded by three insanely hot men.”

“Four,” Morgan corrected with a grin.

We all burst out laughing, and I felt like everything might just work out.