I lift my phone from my bag and eye the screen.
Ivy: I can’t believe you didn’t call me to come help you and Cat today. How is everything?
I write back.
Me: It’s all good. You can help next week if needed. I’ll be there as early as poss tomorrow to help you get things set up for Saturday. I just have to help at the clinic until the afternoon. All good? Need anything?
Ivy: All is good so far. Mom is here and working on alterations for the dress. We’ve got food and booze organized including some moonshine and wine from Mason’s parents. We’re a little short on fresh flowers but it’s okay. All sorts of tulips bloomed suddenly in the backyard, like MAGIC, and it’s going to be perfect. Right now I’m putting together some playlists for dancing.
Me: I have my iPod. 4000 songs. I’ll bring it to you when I come over tomorrow.
Ivy: We should be good. (i.e: No thanks to your 80s dance party. LOL. )
I see the headlights of Mason’s truck coming toward me and I’m thinking, nice try, Ivy. She always says I have shit taste in music. She’s full of it.
Me: I’ll bring it anyway. Mason’s here to get me. Gotta go. Cya tomorrow. Love you.
Ivy puts a heart on my message, so I tuck my phone away with a smile.
When I get in, he’s leaned over, lips puckered, waiting for his kiss. He smells amazing.
I touch my mouth to his and rake my nails along his stubbled jaw. “Hey Doggo.”
“How was the rest of your day, baby?” He pulls me back for a second kiss.
“It was crazy. But good. I was happy to help.”
He smiles and not just with his mouth, with his eyes, too. The look on his face has me all squishy inside. He likes that I’m helping out. Helping out is who I am, though. I’m glad that there haven’t been any more signs of problems or illnesses so far, but everyone is very concerned with whatever it is that’s made Lorenzo and Gus show the unusual symptoms. They’re both doing fine right now and hopefully it stays that way.
I talked to Mom on the phone earlier, too, and lovingly teased her about her new persona as Kathy – the local non-shifting Cougar, human wolf-shifter heartbreaker, and she giggled like a schoolgirl. She’s gone on a date with both Cade and Lorenzo and visited with Lorenzo today here in Arcana Falls to bring him some homemade soup before she headed to go work on Ivy’s dress.
Cade kissed her goodnight last night, she said. And then Lorenzo kissed her today!
I need a proper catch-up with her beyond a quick phone call. It was so busy today that I haven’t gotten the scoop on which of the two shapeshifters is in the lead for Mom’s affections.
Mason’s phone rings as he’s pulling away.
He answers it on speaker.
“Joel?”
“Mercedes is back,” Joel states, “It’s heading toward your place. Two people in it.”
“Two?”
“Female passenger,” Joel replies.
“Thanks, brother.”
“Need backup?” Joel offers.
“Don’t think so,” Mason replies.
“Me and Jase are on standby if you do.”
“Got it. Thanks, Joel.” He ends the call.
“What was that?” I ask. “Mercedes?”
“Your ex.”
I was afraid of that when I heard what Joel said.
“What now?” I grumble.
“We’re about to find out.”
I’m tired. And hungry. I want food and a bath and then an hour in bed with Mason before I pass out so I can get up at dawn in the morning and help with the rest of the exams. The idea of dealing with Rick right now makes me want to stomp my feet and have a full-on Amelia Brennan drama queen fit.
And Rick and a woman… I’m guessing it’s either his mother or the cunty wedding planner slash mistress, and I’m not happy about it.
***
As soon as we pull in, Carla gets out of his car and does her worst to level me with a glare.
It bounces off me. I feel a sudden wave of relief. I don’t have to deal with this bitch anymore.
“So it’s true,” she hisses, when I’m out of Mason’s truck. “You’re a two-timing whore.”
Rick snaps something to her under his breath as he gets out of the driver’s side and grinds his teeth as he takes in Mason, but then his eyes change when he sees me and it’s a painted-on look I’ve seen too many times. Fake concern or something.
Fake. Yeah, fake is the right word for Rick Bullock. This is the first time in the entirety of the time I’ve known him where he’s retorted against her treating me negatively. He must want something from me.
I cross my arms over my chest.
“I’m two-timing?” I laugh. “Ask your son who stepped out first, Carla. Ask him who of the two of us is the liar.”
Rick’s back straightens and he looks at me quizzically. “Liar?”