Page 129 of Ice Princess

I toss my hair over my shoulder. “What if I am?”

He thinks about it, rubbing his chin.

“You’re the one who offered me a bribe. Don’t judge me for accepting it,” I grumble.

He chuckles.

I giggle.

Gunner takes the necklace out of the box and leans in to fasten it around my neck. He’s close enough that I can inhale the woodsy scent of his cologne mixed with the fragrance of the wildflowers growing by the fence.

Gunner Kinsey likes me.

And, against all odds, I like him too.

And now we’re dating.

Like… forreal.

“How does it look?” I ask when he leans back and gives me a soft, affectionate once over.

“Beautiful.”

I blush.

He cradles my face and gives me a gentle kiss on my temple.

A giddy rush of emotions flows over me and I look up at him. “When did you start liking me?”

He tucks his bottom lip into his mouth, thinking it over. “That’s a secret.”

I narrow my eyes.

He gives me a pleased look. “When did you start likingme?”

“Well, I’m not telling you now.”

His laughter is soft but joyful. “Typical Rebel. Always so…”

“Petty?” I supply.

He scrubs a thumb over my cheek. “Competitive.”

“Same difference.”

I laugh, but then I remember how he totally abandoned me before he left for the away games and I shove him.

He stumbles back, his eyebrows raised.

“If you felt this way, why’d you ghost me before you left town?” I frown.

Gunner glances down. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need the apology. I want to understand why.”

He looks at me, unrest in his eyes. “I give you my word, Rebel. I’ll tell you everything when it’s over but… not right now.”

I blink in confusion.

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