Chapter 126: Ice Queen Boss
Hunter unlocked the front door to his apartment, the weight of the long workday pressing down on his shoulders.
His mind was still replaying the sound of Ivy's laughter from their call earlier. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her all day—the way her voice softened when she spoke to him, the way she'd blushed after receiving the flowers. She was special. Different.
But his good mood quickly shifted when he got into his house and noticed Derek lounging on his couch, legs kicked up on the coffee table as if he owned the place.
"Derek?" Hunter asked, eyebrows raised. "What are you doing here?" he asked regretting why he let Derek know his password.
Derek grinned, holding up a half-eaten bag of chips like it was an invitation. "What? A guy can't drop by and check on his friend? Thought you might be drowning in trying to make new recipes—or better yet, making moves on your Ice Queen boss."
Hunter's jaw tightened. "Don't call her that."
Derek raised a brow, the teasing glint in his eyes sharpening. "Since when do you care what I call her? You're the one who said she was..."
Hunter shook his head, tossing his keys on the counter as he cut in. "I know what I said. I'm just saying, she has a name. Show some respect."
Derek's gaze narrowed suspiciously as he set the chips down. "Huh. Okay, Mr. Defensive. Are you sure you're not...falling for her?"
Hunter froze for a heartbeat before scoffing. "What? No. Come on, Derek. I'm just saying you don't need to throw around names like that. I'm getting to know her a d she's...she's different than I thought, okay?"
Derek smirked, leaning forward. "Different how? Oh, wait—don't tell me. You've caught feelings. You've caught feelings, haven't you?"