His eyes flare for one powerful beat before he drops his gaze, jaw clenching as he glares down at some spot on the floor.

Not so unaffected now, are we? I think cruelly, as a satisfied smirk crawls up my cheek.

Mason sighs my name in exasperation.

“Who?” Ivy asks.

Fuck.

I forgot she was here.

She makes her way to my side as Mason goes on to explain how Will used to live here when we were kids and blah blah blah. I only half-listen as what feels like every line of defense I’ve spent years building rushes to the forefront. As if it was never a question of if I would need them, but when.

“Why would you ever come back to this shit hole?” my cousin asks, scowling.

“Yeah, Will,” I grit out through a smile. “Why?”

I’ve gotta hand it to him. Other than that initial hiccup when I so blatantly pretended I didn’t know him, it would seem I’m not the only one who’s been preparing for this moment.

His face smooths out and he smiles this stupid crooked kind of smile. He shrugs, and I decide I kind of want to punch him in his stupid face.

“I was curious. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. Figured I’d take a look around. Plus”—he sweeps his gaze over the empty bar, taking it all in—“I always did find this place...” His eyes land on me, and he smirks. “Charming.”

I huff through my nose and look away as I lift my beer, draining what’s left.

“I’m actually trying to convince him to stay. Maybe rent out that apartment above your uncle’s garage,” Mason says hesitantly. I don’t miss Will whipping his head his way.

I stiffen. “Don’t call him that.” Then I register what he just said, and I turn a glare on Will. “Seriously?”

His face tightens slightly. “I never said I’d take it. I had no idea—”

I spike my brows at that. “Right.”

I know he didn’t—there’s no way unless he did some serious digging—but it doesn’t mean I’m going to make this easier for him.

“Way—”

I glare at Mason. “Next, you’ll be telling me you offered him a job here.”

Mason winces. “Well...”

Deep breaths.

“We don’t even know him,” Ivy blurts, finally joining the conversation, and I send a silent thanks to the powers that be that someone here seems to be on my side. Even if she has no idea why I’m so against this. But that’s the thing about my dear old cousin: she’s fiercely loyal to those closest to her. No questions asked. And I’m the goddamn closest thing she’s got.

Now Mason’s the one glaring at us. “Seriously, guys? You can’t just play nice for once?”