Chapter 159: Austin

Austin's hand hovered over his cell phone as he debated with himself. He should call Declan to find out how Iris was doing. It was what best friends did, right? And if the conversation just happened to drift toward Ivy, well, that would simply be a happy coincidence.

Nothing more than that.

He snatched the phone up and after unlocking it, tapped #1 in his favorites – the only phone number listed in his favorites, and what that said about him, he really didn't want to think about just then – and listened to the phone ring.

Right as he thought it was going to voicemail, he heard Declan's deep voice come through.

"Hey, Declan! Just calling to find out how Iris is doing." Casual. So very casual. The only way he could be more casual was if he put on swim trunks and perched a pair of sunglasses on top of his head.