Jake stared silently, consumed by every word that left her mouth. His composure was slowly fading, almost at the brink of an outburst; he composed himself right away.

Still retaining her triumphant smile, she added, "Don't play dumb; I know your little secret..."

"I don't know the Stella you speak of..." Jake denied abruptly after recovering from his trance-like state. His heart raced slowly, betraying his outward composure. "And I don't have time to..."

A buzzing sound interrupted him. Ivy shrugged, picking out her phone from her purse, her eyes fixed on Jake as she studied him intently; every bit of his body language screamed nervousness. Though his jaw was...