Page 54 of Ice Princess

With Carol Kinsey.

And Victoria.

I can’t decide who between the two women I dislike the most. Carol—for her snobbishness, her disdain for anyone who doesn’t own a significant piece of land in Lucky Falls and her obvious favoritism when it comes to Lady Luck Society members?

Or Victoria for… well, for being Gunner’s ex.

That’s as far as her list goes for now, but I’m sure I can rack up more reasons to despise her once I get to know her. After all, she’s real close to Carol Kinsey. The two women must be more alike than not.

“Honey, what took you so long?” I chirp, slipping my hands around Gunner’s giant bicep.

His eyes widen and he jerks back as if he’s seeing a ghost.

I reach for him again and pull him back to me, baring my teeth at him while my eyes scream ‘play along’.

His eyebrows cinch together. Not necessarily the look of a man in love with his girlfriend.

Well, too bad.

I don’t like this either, but I don’t have a choice. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

“Son,” Carol steps forward, each step light and graceful, “I reserved a table at a restaurant in the city to celebrate your first win of the playoffs. Your father’s working the night shift, but he’ll meet us there.”

“You didn’t need to reserve a table,” Gunner says. “I’d rather celebrate quietly.”

“But what would be the fun in that?” Carol coos, her mouth tilted into a tight but firm smile.

Oh, she’s good.

Someone published my Lady Luck Society membership on the Jumbotron. Since the entire town was here, it was basically like a debutant ball for a nervous teenager of one—me.

I didn’t turn around to look at Carol or Victoria during the announcement, but Ifeltthe negative energy coming off them.

Carol waslivid.Right after, she asked what I was doing after the game tonight. I couldn’t exactly tell her that I planned on going home, setting myself a strawberry bubble bath and drinking strawberry wine while binge-watching Netflix.

I lied that I was celebrating with Gunner and she invited me out to a family dinner with them.

Except this ‘family dinner’ also includes Victoria.

I have no idea when Gunner’s ex became a Kinsey. Maybe there was a secret adoption? I don’t know, but I recognize a trap when I see one.

“It’s okay if I go, but Rebel must be tired,” Gunner says, his cold eyes dropping to me. “Go home first.”

My muscles tighten and it takes every thread of self-restraint I have to keep from scowling at him.

I know he hates my company. He’d rather break his favorite hockey stick in two than spend one measly dinner sitting across from me.

But does he have to make it so obvious?

Carol and Victoria are watching our every move. We need to sell that we’re in a relationship or Carol’s going to see right through us.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I already asked Rebel and she said she’d love to come,” Carol pipes up.

Gunner frowns at me. I can tell hereallydoesn’t want me there. Why? Does he regret claiming me as his girlfriend now that Victoria is hanging around? Does he want to get back with her?

I blink my eyelashes twice in warning.You better play along.He can have Victoria or any other woman he wants.AfterI’ve secured my place in the Society.

Is that selfish of me?

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