Page 156 of No Need to Run

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Sebastian blinks once, clearly not expecting me. “Violet?”

I smile easily. “Hey. Is Drew home?”

“I’m not sure,” he says, shifting slightly. “I just got home. Let me ask Ivy.”

He steps back. “Come in.”

I take three steps inside and pause. “He’s not here.”

Sebastian pauses, then slowly turns around. “What?”

I shrug lightly, like it’s nothing. “He’s not here.”

His gaze sharpens as he studies me now.

“His scent isn’t here.”

Sebastian doesn’t blink.

Silence settles between us.

Ivy’s soft footsteps come from the kitchen. She steps up beside her husband.

“Hi, Violet.”

Sebastian doesn’t move.

Doesn’t speak.

Just watches me.

“He smells like soap and cedarwood,” I add.

I inhale once, slow and measured.

“I only smell you… and Ivy.”

Sebastian’s brows furrow. “Okay.”

“Oh, they definitely have distinct smells.” Ivy’s tone is bright, like she fully understands.

She stares at me, curious and pleased.

I meet her gaze.

She knows.

“You get it,” I say, smiling.

Ivy beams.

Sebastian doesn’t.

He doesn’t understand.

Not the way Ivy does.

I give a small wave. “I’ll see you both later.”

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