Page 30 of Ice Princess

“I think that’sgreat!” May skips to me, her eyes bright with excitement. “Chance and April started as a fake couple too and look at them now.”

“Gunner and I arenotlike that. Believe me.” I hike my purse strap over my head and toss it in the couch.

“What do you mean? You’re insanely pretty and he’s so hot. Why wouldn’t you be together?”

April scolds her little sister. “May, there’s more to a healthy relationship than being good-looking.”

“Iknowthat. I’m just saying. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Something still isn’t adding up,” April murmurs.

Everyone in the room turns to look at her.

“I understand whyyou’dwant to join the Lady Luck Society, but what’s in it for Gunner?” April folds her arms across her chest. “Why would he do that for you if he hates you so much?”

“He wants the Lady Luck Society to change too,” I answer flatly.

April rubs her chin, not buying it.

May offers, “There could be another reason. Like he’s trying to stop his family from marrying him off? I heard the Kinseys still believe in arranged marriages.”

“It could be simpler than that.” Chance shrugs. “Maybe Gunner doesn’t hate you as much as you thought, Rebel.”

I shake my head. “You didn’t grow up in Lucky Falls, Chance. Gunner Kinsey has made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t like me. We grew up together, but he never talked to me, even when we were in high school. And his eyes are always so cold and arrogant when they look at me.”

May insists, “But that doesn’t mean?—”

“May,” I sink into the sofa and tilt my head back, “I can tell when a guy likes me. Guys have been confessing their love for me since elementary school. Trust me…”

The smile that reaches your eyes.

“…Gunner Kinsey and I…”

Give me that one.

“… are never going to be real.”

CHAPTER

TEN

GUNNER

Uncle Stewart’stexts bother me to the point that I can’t sleep.

I run a hand down my face groggily and notice the time on my alarm clock.

1:15 AM.

I have early morning training, a shift at the hardware store, and then our first game of the play-offs later tonight. This isn’t the time to be tossing and turning in bed.

Thirty minutes later, I give up.

Sleep isnotgoing to happen for me.

With a sigh, I push myself to a sitting position, rake my fingers through my hair and then head downstairs.

I’m surprised to see dad behind the counter, stirring a pot of tea.

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