The Heart System

Honestly, now I just felt bad. I only brought it up because of the quest, but seeing her this embarrassed made me feel like a complete asshole.

Then again… I really was curious whether she remembered it or not.

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Evan Marlowe [Level 21]

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EXP: 5350/ 31500

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Current Credits: 2500

Current SC: 75

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“I do remember it,” Ivy finally admitted quietly, still hiding her face. “And I was honestly hoping you wouldn’t mention it.”

“Well… sorry.”

She slowly lowered her hands and grabbed her tea with both palms like she needed emotional support from the glass itself.

“I’m sorry too,” she muttered. “That must’ve been disgusting for you.”

“Well, the overwhelming smell of alcohol wasn’t exactly ideal,” I admitted. “But other than that, it was fine.”

She peeked at me carefully.

“I mean it, Ivy,” I continued honestly. “You’re the type of woman most guys would lose their minds over. You just think too little of yourself because of your past relationships.”

Her eyes widened slightly. Then she looked away fast, trying to hide how flustered she suddenly got.

Another notification appeared immediately after.

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WOMEN – INTERACTIONS

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Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60

Kayla: Interest: 38 / 40

Tessa: Interest: 40 / 60

Kim: Interest: 100 / 100

Delilah: Interest: 100 / 100

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100

Mendy: Interest: 20 / 40

Nala: Interest: 100 / 100

Penelope: Interest: 5 / 20

Minne: Interest: 38 / 40

Ivy: Interest: 57 / 60

Eleanor: Interest: 25 / 40

Amelia: Interest: 12 / 20

Esme: Interest: 60 / 80

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Huh. Seven points. Nice. I wasn’t even trying to raise her points that time.

“Ah, shut up,” Ivy muttered, trying to recover. “Anyway… sorry about the kiss.”

“Apology accepted.” I smirked slightly. “Next time, though, maybe use mint first.”

Her jaw dropped open.

“There is not going to be a next time, you idiot!”

“Tell that to drunk Ivy, not sober Ivy.”

“Oh my god.” She grabbed her hair dramatically. “I’m actually dying right now. Please stop talking.”

I laughed quietly and raised both hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright. No more teasing.” I took another sip of tea and looked at her properly. “Seriously though… I’m just glad you’re okay.”

She rubbed her face with both hands, her embarrassment slowly fading away. “Yeah… same here.”

“So,” I began, leaning back in my chair. “Are you planning to pay me back for the gas money or what?”

“Gas money?” Ivy laughed softly. “Get outta here.”

“Wow.”

“Wow you.”

She suddenly looked past my shoulder, her expression changing slightly. Her eyes widened for just a second before she leaned back and shook her head under her breath.

Curious, I turned around.

Delilah was walking toward us from the sidewalk, waving one hand once she noticed me looking. Huh. Guess the mother-daughter cold war still hadn’t fully ended yet.

“Hey,” Delilah greeted as she reached the table. “I saw Evan’s car outside and figured he’d probably be here with you.”

“Yeah…” Ivy replied quietly. “Hey, mom.”

“Deli… Mrs. Komb,” I said as I got up from my chair. “Come sit down. I’ll grab another chair.”

“Thank you, Evan.”

I walked over to one of the empty tables nearby, grabbed a chair, and brought it back. Delilah sat across from Ivy, crossing one leg over the other while adjusting her coat slightly.

She looked ridiculously good.

She wore a long brown jacket over a fitted black shirt, along with dark denim jeans and simple boots. Her hair fell neatly over one shoulder, and even without trying, she had that elegant look about her. Back in college, women like Delilah were exactly my type. Honestly, she still was.

“You didn’t tell me you were meeting Evan,” Delilah said to her daughter with a small smile.

“Yeah… sorry.” Ivy scratched her cheek awkwardly. “Guess it slipped my mind.”

The tension between them was still there, but honestly? It wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. I genuinely thought Ivy would immediately get up and leave the second her mother showed up. Instead, she just looked awkward more than anything else.

Still, sitting there between them felt weird as hell.

“We were actually talking about the other night,” I said, trying to ease the atmosphere a little. “About how worried you were when Ivy didn’t come home.”

Ivy exhaled heavily and shook her head slightly, probably already regretting this conversation.

“Really?” Delilah looked at her daughter again. “Well, I just hope that doesn’t happen again. I was genuinely terrified when you didn’t answer your phone or come home.”

“I know,” Ivy replied quietly. “And I’m sorry.”

At least she wasn’t getting defensive.

While Ivy looked down at the table and absentmindedly played with the hem of her shirt, Delilah briefly met my eyes. She gave me a faint smile, and without thinking too much about it, I slid my hand under the table and gently squeezed her knee.

Delilah nearly laughed.

She covered it quickly by clearing her throat and adjusting her posture again.

“Oh, since you’re here,” Delilah suddenly said. “Could you drop me off at the mall afterward, Evan?”

“Sure.” I nodded. “Going shopping with the girls, Mrs. Komb?”

“Something like that.” She smiled. “I invited Ivy too, but…”

“I’ve got a headache,” Ivy muttered, leaning back in her chair. “Seriously. I’m not trying to be difficult, mom. I really don’t feel like going outside today. Not trying to be a… a, dunno, a bitchy bitch. Honestly, I almost didn’t even come here, but the café’s close to my apartment so I figured why not.”

“Bitchy bitch,” she added under her breath.

I blinked. “Did you just call yourself a bitchy bitch?”

“Young lady,” Delilah said with fake disappointment. “You should really wash your mouth.”

Ivy’s lips twitched immediately, clearly trying not to laugh.

“Before her inner bitchy bitch fully awakens, Mrs. Komb,” I said while standing up and grabbing my jacket, “I think we should make our escape.”

“Yes, I agree,” Delilah replied as she got up too. “I’d rather not be here when the bitchy bit—”

“Ha-ha.” Ivy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Very funny, both of you. I misspoke. Bite me.”

I chuckled quietly, pulled some cash from my pocket, and left it on the table for the drinks.

“Last chance,” I told Ivy while zipping up my jacket. “You sure you don’t want to come?”

“No.” She shook her head immediately. “My headache is huge. Massive. Terrible. Very tragic.”

“Damn. Sounds serious.”

“It is.”

“Fine, stay home then.”

“Drive safe,” Ivy said before taking another sip from her tea.

I nodded toward her. “I’d tell you to drink responsibly, but I feel like that advice might be ’wasted’ on you.”

“One more joke,” she warned while pointing at me, “and I’m punching you in the throat.”

“See?” I looked at Delilah. “Violent tendencies. Definitely inherited from her mother.”

“Oh my god,” Ivy groaned while hiding her face again. “Please leave already.”

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