Page 205 of Ice Princess

Rebel rolls her eyes. “Calm down, hockey boy. I only fixed one problem out of many. The game’s not over yet.”

I walk over to her and slip my arm around her waist. “But you’ll take a break now, right? Because…” I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I’m hungry.”

She laughs and tilts her head up to kiss me.

“Rebel! Yoo-hoo!”

Marjorie White saunters into the garage. Rosalie and Cecelia Davis wobble behind her. The ladies are carrying an extremely large vase.

Seeing them struggle, I take the heavy burden from them.

“Rebel, we saw thisbeautifulflower vase while we were shopping and justhadto bring it over to you.” Marjorie waves a hand at me and says disdainfully, “Put it there, Gunner. And watch it. That vase costs a lot of money. I know you can’t afford to buy it back if you break it.”

I almost drop the vase out of spite.

Marjorie takes out a twenty and pats it against my chest. “Here you go, sweetie. A little goes a long way.”

I glare at her and let the twenty plummet to the ground, untouched.

Rebel snaps, “Give the vase back, Gunner.”

I happily set the vase down and back away from it.

Rebel marches forward. “Marjorie, what are you doing here?”

“I came to brighten up your beautiful, outdoor workspace and offer my help.” Marjorie puts on a Cheshire-cat smile and takes Rebel’s hand, barely hiding her flinch when she realizes Rebel’s gloves are dirty.

“What exactly do you want to help me with?” Rebel asks, folding her arms over her chest.

“As the most influential and wealthy young woman in town, there’s a certain expectation upon you that might be overwhelming.”

Rosalie and Cecilia Davis nod like the parrots that they are.

“We know you’re not used to how things in our circle work, so,” Marjorie sprawls her hands out dramatically, “as your Lady Luck Society sisters, we’re here to teach you all you need to know.”

“What a… thoughtful offer.” Rebel loops her hand around my arm. The smile on her face does not reach her eyes and I hide my smirk because I know what’s coming next won’t be pretty. “Since you’re here, Marjorie, now is the perfect time to inform you that I will no longer be a part of the Lady Luck Society.”

“What?” Marjorie White gasps dramatically.

“Why?” Rosalie whines.

“I’ll be starting myownassociation.”

“Well,” Marjorie grapples to salvage the conversation, “how does one join this association of yours?”

“If you’re interested in joining, you’ll have to speak to Carol.”

Marjorie’s cheeks turn red and her lips tighten as if she’s just tasted something bitter.

Rebel leans her head against my shoulder. “Thank you for the flowers, but I’m afraid we don’t have space to accommodate them.” Rebel gestures to the very spacious outdoor garage. “I’ll have to ask you to take them back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my boyfriend. April!”

“Yeah!” April pops her head out of a car hood.

“I’m done for the day!”

“Got it!” April says.

Rebel leaves Marjorie gaping at her and tugs me to the sink where she disposes of her pink gloves and washes her hands.

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