There was a tiny bit of stubble on his face. Ivy was aware that she was being desperately rude and — maybe just desperate, but she didn't think that Dorset would really mind. If she acted like this was normal long enough, he'd probably come around to believing her.

"I'll take beer, if you have it," she said, following him into his small kitchen. And, as an offering, she gave him a truth: "I couldn't sleep."

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