I sighed. Yes, I was probably going to have to dance with him if I was in the wedding party. Ceri had a wicked smile on her face. “Well, I’m not going to enjoy it,” I said, trying not to think about his tight ass and how he showed off a tux. My height looked good against his class, and it would be fun to get Ellasbeth’s knickers in a knot. I shut my closet door, smiling. “Do you know how hard it is to slow-dance with a gun strapped to your thigh?”

“No.” Jenks followed me out to the kitchen, Ceri and the cat trailing behind.

“Where’s Ivy’s computer?” Ceri asked when we entered, and I cringed.

“I don’t know.” My stomach tightened as I looked at her empty corner. “I spent the night at Kisten’s, and she wasn’t here when I came home.”

Face still and empty, the elf looked up from the sink from where she was filling the copper kettle. Her gaze went from the pastries arranged on the plate to the store-bought coffee to the square of fudge. But it wasn’t until she saw the honey that she figured it out. “She’s gone,” Ceri said, turning off the tap with excessive force. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I said, feeling guilty and defensive. “Well, sort of nothing,” I amended. “God, Ceri, this isn’t any of your business,” I added, crossing my arms over my chest.

“She bit Kisten this morning,” Jenks said helpfully. “While bumping uglies.”

“Hey!” I said, embarrassed. “That is not why she left. We hadn’t even finished dinner before she walked out.” Taking a breath, I faced Ceri, surprised to find her jaw set in disapproval. “He’s my boyfriend!” I exclaimed. “And he didn’t bite me. And why in hell does everyone think I should live my life by what Ivy wants?”

“Because she loves you,” Ceri said, standing beside the lit stove. “And you love her, as a friend if nothing else. She’s afraid, and you’re not. You’re the stronger person in this situation and need to exert some restraint. You can’t live your life by her wishes,” she added, holding up a hand to forestall my protest. “But you know this is something she is aching to share with you.”

Miserable, I glanced at Ivy’s empty spot and then back to Ceri. “She can’t separate blood passion from sex, and I don’t think I can either,” I whispered, wondering how my personal life had become everyone’s favorite topic and why I was being so open about it. Apart from my being completely lost and trying to find anyone to help me.

“Then you have a problem,” Ceri said, turning her back on me to open a cupboard.