Chapter 86 Eighty six

Chapter 86 Eighty six
IVY POV

Zoe gave me a look over the rim of her coffee mug. The kind of look that said she already knew everything.

I immediately looked away.

“No,” I muttered before she could even speak.

She snorted softly. “I didn’t even say anything yet.”

“You were about to.”

“I absolutely was not.”

Max moved around the kitchen, pulling things out of the fridge like he owned a cooking show nobody asked for.

“I heard that,” he called out.

“You weren't supposed to be listening,” Zoe shot back.

I shook my head, sipping my coffee, trying to ignore the tension twisting in my stomach.

Max started humming while cracking eggs into a bowl—honestly disturbing behavior for a grown man.

Zoe slid off her stool casually and walked over to me while Max stayed distracted at the stove.

Then she leaned closer slightly.

“He doesn’t know yet,” she whispered.

I stiffened immediately.

My eyes flicked toward Max instinctively before lowering again.

“Nah,” I whispered back quickly.

Zoe sighed softly. “Ivy…”

“He’d be pissed,” I muttered. “You know he would.”

She leaned against the counter beside me. “Maybe. But he’s your best friend. He’s going to find out eventually.”

I swallowed hard.

Because that was the problem.

Max hated Ronan.

Always had.

And after what happened six years ago?

This would be a disaster.

“I don’t even know what this thing is yet,” I whispered. “So what exactly am I supposed to tell him?”

Zoe gave me a knowing look. “The truth would be a good start.”

I let out a dry laugh. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not easy,” she admitted. “But hiding it from Max? That’s worse.”

I rubbed my forehead tiredly.

“He already suspects something,” she added softer this time. “I can tell.”

Of course he did. Max noticed everything when it came to me. I glanced toward the kitchen again.

He was still cooking… completely unaware.

Or maybe pretending to be.

“Tell him about Ronan before he figures it out himself,” Zoe whispered carefully. “Because trust me… that version of Max will be much scarier.”

I groaned quietly.

“You’re not helping.”

“I’m trying to save your life.”

“Am I dying ?” I muttered.

“Yes when Max catches you,” she said instantly.

I couldn’t even argue.

Before I could respond, Max turned around holding a spatula.

“Why are you two whispering?” he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Zoe immediately smiled. “Girl talk.”

“Hmm without me,” he said.

“Yeah without you,” I muttered under my breath.

Max pointed the spatula at me. “See? This is why I don’t trust either of you.”

Zoe burst out laughing.

And despite everything twisting inside my chest…A small smile escaped me too.

We settled around the kitchen island a few minutes later, plates of breakfast in front of us while the TV played in the background.

For a moment… everything felt calm.

Max kept talking about some client who nearly cried during a meeting yesterday, dramatically acting it out while Zoe laughed so hard she almost spilled her coffee.

“You’re exaggerating,” she said between laughs.

“I am not,” Max argued. “The man looked at me like I personally ruined his marriage.”

“You probably did,” I muttered.

“See?” he pointed at me proudly. “Ivy gets it.”

I shook my head, finally relaxing a little.

The morning sunlight streamed through the massive windows, coffee filled the air, and I was enjoying every moment until the news came up.

“…Pro Hockey Player Ronan Hale was reportedly involved in an altercation late last night at a private club downtown…”

My entire body froze.

On the screen appeared blurry footage of Ronan being pulled away from another man outside a club, security surrounding him while cameras flashed everywhere.

“…Sources claim Hale appeared intoxicated before the fight broke out…”

Zoe slowly turned her head toward me.

I stopped breathing for a second.

Max scoffed loudly. “That asshole is still a dick apparently.”

I swallowed hard, staring at the screen.

Ronan looked furious.

Wild. Completely out of control.

Why would he get into a fight after— My phone suddenly started ringing on the counter.

I jumped slightly.

The screen lit up with Harrington’s

name.

I grabbed it quickly. He was about to chew me up.

“I have to go,” I said immediately, standing up so fast my chair scraped loudly against the floor.

Max frowned. “What? Right now?”

“I need to freshen up and head out,” I said quickly, already picking up my plate to avoid looking at either of them.

“It’s your day off,” Max said suspiciously.

“I know, but—”

Zoe stood up smoothly before I could finish.

“She should go,” she cut in calmly. “Probably something important.”

Max looked between us, clearly sensing something weird.

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why do I feel like I’m missing something?”

“You miss a lot of things,” Zoe replied casually, placing a hand on his shoulder before he could get up.

I shot her a grateful look.

Max still looked unconvinced.

“Ivy,” he started carefully, “is this about—”

“I’ll see you guys later,” I cut in quickly before he could finish.

Then I turned and walked away fast.

My heart pounded the entire way back to my room.

Not because of the call.

Because of him.

And the image of Ronan on that screen looking angry, drunk… broken.

One the law firm wouldn’t be pleased with this and why the fuck did he fight?