Page 6 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

“The building’s called Urban Harmony. Oval shaped, overlooking the marina.”

“No shit? My D-partner, Todd Cleever, used to live there before he married Drew. What a great location.”

My stomach flip-flopped as more memories of our fight came rushing back. Our moment had happened right after I chased Cleever down the ice during his breakaway. “I love it there.”

“It’s a kickass building. Where are you thinking of buying a house?”

“Not sure. I’ll look around. Where do you live?”

An odd expression crossed his face, and he had a sip of wine before saying, “Chevy Chase. I used to live in Potomac, but my ex-wife got that house in the divorce settlement.”

There we go. Married to a woman. Why are the hot ones always straight?

And why am I so interested, anyway? I need to jump into something like I could use a hole in the head.

“Sorry about that,” I said. “I’ve heard Potomac’s quite the place.”

“It is, but DC has a lot of great neighborhoods. Have you been out to Drew and Todd’s in McLean?”

“No, but I’ve heard the wordopulentthrown around.”

“I’m not sure I’d say that, but it’s very nice.”

Alex held up a finger. “Wait. Gags, you’re recently divorced and living alone. And, Sven, you’re new in town and think dining out is exploring the city. What if you two?—”

“Alex!” My voice came out louder than I intended, but if she was?—

“What?” she asked. “I’m making a suggestion.”

“No, you were?—”

“She’s right,” Gagné said.

Shocked, I turned toward him, and he offered a small nod. “I spend too much time by myself, and it sounds like you do too. It’s not healthy.”

Wiggling in my chair, I scoffed. “I’m not sitting at home. I’m just new in town and had to move in a rush. It was the middle of the season.”

“The season’s over,” Alex said, then took a bite of salad.

Had she lost her mind? Was she trying to set me up with a straight man? Gagné was probably more uncomfortable than I was, so I tried to object. “But I’m?—”

“I could show you around.”

I swiveled my head back to him. “You could?”

He shrugged, then held my gaze for a moment before saying, “I’ll give you a proper introduction to DC. There are some great things to see, and I’ll bet you haven’t found the best places to eat. I could also go look at houses with you, if you’d like. I know a good realtor, and it would give me something to do.”

Fuck it.I’m either hallucinating or being played. I scratched my forehead before meeting his eyes. “If you’re serious, that would be nice.”

What the hell? Have I gone nuts? I’ll be crushing on him in no time, and I don’t need more frustration and hurt, especially in my love life.

“I’m definitely serious,” he said. “When are you going back down?”

Before I could offer to go down on him later that night, I stuffed a gigantic piece of salmon into my mouth and raised a finger while I chewed and swallowed. “Friday. I have a few loose ends to tie up here, and then I’ll be out of New York for good.”

Gagné nodded. “Perfect. Let’s trade numbers so we can text. Maybe we could do something over the weekend?”

That sounded like he was asking for a date, but he couldn’t be. He was straight.I’ve got to hold myself together.“Sure. That sounds fantastic.”

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