Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 Read Online Free Page B

Jack said. “I just had a few questions to ask Ms. Morgan.”
    “I’m sure,” Brian said, pursing his lips.
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Jack leaned forward, agitated.
    “It doesn’t mean anything,” Brian said, holding up his hand. “I just thought I might have sensed a little something between you and Ivy.”
    “A little something?”
    “Chemistry,” Brian replied, guileless.
    “We talked for five minutes in front of you and you think you saw chemistry? Are you sure your wife is the only meddlesome one?” Jack was going for levity, but he didn’t miss the uptick of his heartbeat.
    “Listen, I’m not telling you how to live your life,” Brian said. “It’s none of my business if you want to go to bed alone every night for the rest of your life. That doesn’t change the fact that I saw you looking at Ivy. Don’t feel bad about it. She’s a beautiful woman.”
    “She’s … okay,” Jack said carefully.
    Brian snorted. “Yeah. She’s … okay.”
    Jack rolled his eyes. “She’s still just a woman,” he said. “I’m not interested in a relationship. I already told you that. I have my reasons.”
    Brian’s face softened. If any man had reasons to build a wall around his heart it was Jack Harker. Still, he’d definitely witnessed something today – and it wasn’t just on Jack’s part. “Well, if you’re not interested in Ivy, you might want to find a way to let her down easy,” he said, changing tactics.
    Jack stilled. “Excuse me?”
    “You weren’t the only one I was feeling chemistry from,” Brian said. “Ivy couldn’t take her eyes off you either. You should be proud. I can’t remember the last time someone turned that girl’s head.”
    Jack’s chest puffed out, if only in his mind. Was that true? “I don’t think she was any more interested in me than I was in her. She’s a nice woman. She has a certain … flair. I’m still not interested.”
    “Of course you’re not,” Brian said. “You’re set in your ways. There’s no way a woman could change that.”
    “There’s not,” Jack said. “I can’t even think about something like that right now. I just … .”
    Brian’s face fell, instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. I guess I never considered why you wouldn’t want to deal with something like that right now. Still, being alone isn’t the way to a happy life.”
    “What makes you think I want a happy life?”
    “Everyone does.”
    “I don’t think that’s in the cards for me,” Jack said honestly. “I don’t have any grand dreams for a happy ending … or a white picket fence … or a wife and kids. I just want a little … peace.”
    Brian’s heart rolled. He’d never known someone to give up on dreaming. The idea made him sad. “You might change your mind,” he said. “If you do, I’m just saying that Ivy Morgan might be a nice place to start dreaming again.”
    “Because she’s a witch?” Jack’s eyes were twinkling.
    “Because she’s a good woman,” Brian said. “And, much like you, she doesn’t care about fitting in.”
    “Who says I don’t care?”
    “Your face,” Brian said, snickering. “Just get settled and think about it. I would hate to think of you going through life alone. I don’t want to think of Ivy doing it either, and I wasn’t lying about her turning up her nose at almost every man who has ever tried to go after her.”
    “I’m sure Ivy doesn’t want to put up with my problems any more than I want to deal with her … specific brand of oddness.”
    “Whatever,” Brian said. “I … .” He snapped his mouth shut when Ava sashayed into the room with a manila folder in her hand. “What’s up?”
    Ava’s face contorted. “Aren’t you ever happy to see me? Not even once?”
    “Not generally,” Brian said. “You’re usually up to no good.”
    “That’s just a horrible thing to say,” Ava said. “I don’t appreciate you talking badly about me.”
    “You’ll live,” Brian said, extending his