Page 39 of Love so Cold

"Uh, I learned when I was a kid," I say slowly. "Had a friend who played a lot. We'd spend hours out on the pond behind his house." It's the truth, but not the whole story. Olivia seems to accept it, though, nodding solemnly.

"Okay! That sounds fun!" she chirps before dartingoff to rejoin her friends, leaving me with the echo of a life that might have been.

I turn back to Avery, who's studying me with an intensity that makes my chest tight. "So, uh..." I begin, my voice rougher than I intend, "...can I get your number? You know, to discuss the community concerns once I've had a chance to go over them."

Her eyes widen just slightly, those chocolate depths giving nothing away. "My number?" she repeats, clearly caught off guard.

"Yeah," I manage, my pulse beating a bit too loudly in my ears. "For business reasons, strictly."

"Fine," she says after a beat, reaching into her purse for a pen. She scribbles her digits on a napkin and slides it across the table. I take the little piece of paper and place it in my pocket, somehow feeling as if I've just won a prize.

Chapter Twenty

Avery

I wipe down another table,the clatter and chatter of the lunchtime rush fading as I snatch a moment for myself. Finally, break time. Slipping into the back, I plop onto the worn-out sofa in the break room and fish my phone out of my apron pocket.

Samantha

Hey, you guys heard about Coach Marty?

Avery

News to me.

What's up?

Emily

Wait, whathappened??

Samantha

Apparently, he's not coming back this season.

Some family stuff he needs to take care of.

Jessica

Who's gonna coach the kids then?

Samantha

Get this—Victor's stepping in.

Temporarily, until they find someone.

Emily

Victor?!

As in... Victor Stone?

Samantha

Yup. Daddy Stone himself.

Avery

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