Iris

The low buzzing sound of my phone vibrating pulled me out of the best sleep I'd had in years, and I contemplated not answering it. Until I remembered my sister was overseas, and it could be an emergency. I sat up, pushing back the covers and checking to ensure I hadn't disturbed Garrett before reaching for the device.

"Oh shit," I hissed, seeing Minh's name on the screen. I swiped to answer, but didn't speak until after I slipped out of the bedroom. "Minh, I'm so sorry."

Silence stretched between us. Then she replied in a monotone voice. "Sorry about what? Leaving me with your demon cat for longer than originally agreed upon, or letting me think that you were dead when you didn't show up yesterday."

"I have a feeling both is the correct answer," I whispered, shuffling down the stairs, the hardwoods rough and cold against my bare feet. The warmth from the fire Garrett built last night had long since faded, and I could see my breath in the soft morning light coming in through the windows.

"What the hell, Iris!"

The speaker crackled against my ear. I jerked the phone away with a wince and cast a guilty look up the stairs. Maybe I should move into the kitchen. My stomach growled in agreement.

"Look, you're mad now, but I honestly have a really good explanation."

"Unless aliens abducted you, or Garret's dick destroyed all your common sense, I honestly don't see how you can explain this away. This isn't like you at all. You're channeling Ivy too well, my fr—"

"Well, I didn't get abducted by aliens," I said in a rush to stop her tirade.

A delighted squeal followed Minh's sharp intake of breath. "You're kidding, right? You actually had sex with him? And not just in your book?"

"Hey, I told you that in confidence."

Raising up on tiptoe, I rummaged through the cabinets for the coffee. Garrett would appreciate having a fresh pot made when he woke up. The idea of seeing him stumble down the stairs, his dark hair sticking up every which way, and his eyes still dark with sleep, summoned a goofy smile to my face.

I'd been so focused on thinking I was just missing out on the sex part of relationships, I never anticipated how much I would enjoy these little moments. Like waking up in bed next to him, his arm slung over my waist.

"Earth to Iris."

"Whoops, sorry." The robust scent of coffee wafted up to me as I scooped grounds into a filter.

"You've got dick brain. This is amazing. So, tell me? How was it?"

Red stained my cheeks, and even though she couldn't see me, I shook my head. "I can't say anything."

"Is he nearby?"

"No, I just don't think I can say it out loud. I can send you the chapters, though. The things he's done to me..."

"Shit. That good, huh?"

Lowering my voice, I whispered, "Minh, he made me come four times last night before he—"

A woman's reflection in the microwave over the stove caught my attention, and I shrieked. The phone fell from my ear, and I spun around, brandishing the coffee scoop like a weapon. She took one look at what I held and burst into laughter.

"W-who are you?" I demanded.

She tilted her head to the side, making her tight brown curls bounce. "I'm Celia James, and you are?"

"Ir...Ivy Wilson." I picked up my phone. "Minh, I'll call you back later."

"Don't stop that conversation on my account," Celia said, hopping onto a barstool and propping her pointed chin on her knuckles. The smile she flashed was bright and a little bit devious. A lot like her son's.

"Oh, I'm really sorry you heard that."

Her smile grew wider. "I'm sorry I interrupted before you finished. Though, now that I think about it, knowing it was one of my boys makes me a lot less interested. But which one is it? Haden? Troy? Carol and Melissa are always going on about the women those boys bring home. They're going to die when I tell them I caught one of them in the middle of a weekend at the cabin."

"Mom."

Garrett froze in the middle of the entryway looking precisely as I'd imagined. Well, I hadn't imagined the look of horror on his handsome face. I snuck a look at Celia and watched as the surprise on her face gave way to delight.

She jumped off her chair and pulled him into a tight hug. Keeping one arm slung around his waist, she looked at me. "This just keeps getting better and better."

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"We always come up here the week after you boys have your camping trip. Carol, Melissa, and Deborah are on their way up here too."

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I completely forgot."

Behind me the coffee pot sputtered as it finished brewing, and I quickly filled three cups to the brim. Celia opened the fridge to pull out the creamer, and Garrett accepted his with relief in his bright green eyes. He pressed a quick kiss against my lips while his mother wasn't looking, and I was ashamed by how much that quick peck turned me on. This man made me insatiable.

"I am so sorry, Ivy," he whispered.

"It's fine." I blew on the hot drink and added, "I'm just glad I didn't come downstairs naked."

"You did that on purpose," he accused.

"Did what?"

"Said the word naked. Now that's all I can think about."

"Not in front of your mom," I hissed as he gripped the back of my nightgown.

"Ivy."

I jumped and gently pushed Garrett away from me so I could focus. Celia leaned against the counter, her green eyes twinkling as they moved between me and her son.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Why does your name sound so familiar?" She tapped her chin. "That's right! Garrett, don't you have an Ivy that works for you? The one related to that author I like so much?"

"Yes, Mom. This is Ivy Wilson."

"Iris is my sister." The lie soured on my tongue.

"Huh."

Garrett narrowed his eyes. "Out with it."

Celia shrugged. "I'm just confused. I could've sworn you had a thing for Iris. In fact, I overheard you tell Troy you were going to ask her out the next time you saw her."

I gasped, my stomach flipping. "Wait, what?"