Page 66 of Ice Princess

“Yes, well, whoever did such a thing,” mom’s eyes flash to me and singe my skin, “was equally mistaken.”

I grimace. “Mom, you said you were tired. Dad, you should take her home.”

But my mother’s on the hunt and she smells blood. There’s no stopping her.

Shaking out of dad’s grasp, mom takes a step toward the table, her eyes locked on Rebel. “As long asIam the chairwoman of the Lady Luck Society…”

Rebel eases back, blinking rapidly as if she knows what’s coming.

“… someone like you will never be allowed to join us.” Mom raises her chin a notch. “Your application is denied.”

My heart slams against my chest and I look at Rebel. Despair shatters her expression. Seeing the hurt bleed through her eyes makes me feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

Rebel stutters. “But?—”

“But what?” Mom zeroes in on her, delivering a punishing blow. “It shouldn’t matter what the Society decides. It’s not like you announced you were dating my son just to get in. Because that would make you a hypocrite, wouldn’t it?”

Rebel’s nostrils flare like she’s trying not to cry. She looks away, her lips trembling.

“You three have a good night.” Mom cuts her hand through the air, returns to my father’s side and allows him to escort her from the table.

The din from around the restaurant swoops back into my ears and I realize I’d tuned the entire world out for a solid three minutes.

Rebel’s head sinks and her hair swishes forward to hide her face. It hurts so bad watching her defeated posture. Her devastation is palpable.

There’s not much I can say that will make this better, but I wish I could find the words. Any words.

Just then, Ann bounces back to the table as chirpy as ever. “Alright, folks, I got your… oh? Where did this side of the table go?”

“Ann, we’ll take those to go,” I point to the food on her tray, my eyes on Rebel.

Ann’s smile wanes. “Y-yeah. Sure. I’ll be right back with some containers.”

While Ann hustles away, Rebel grabs her purse, shoots to her feet and steps out of the booth. Her intentions to leave are clear and I’m right there with her.

“Gunner, where are you going? Who’s going to take me home?” Victoria calls.

I keep following Rebel.

Rebel throws me a teary-eyed look over her shoulder. “Don’t follow me.”

“Let me drive you.”

“I want to be alone.”

“Rebel.”

“Please. I just want to be alone right now.” Her voice breaks on the last word and I want nothing more than to give her a hug.

But I respect her wishes and remain in place while she rushes through the restaurant, throws the door open and disappears outside.

“Gun—Mr. Kinsey,” Ann appears in front of me, “your containers?” She lifts a bunch of paper boxes.

I force myself to return to the table.

Victoria stares me down. “Were you just going to leave me here?”

I don’t answer her. Why should I? We’re no longer dating. My priority is the woman who just stormed out of this restaurant on the verge of tears.

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