Page 90 of Ice Princess

“Slow down.” I laugh when she flops against me, breathing hard.

Her straight brown hair fans across her cheeks and the strands lift with every puff of her breath. “I saw the news van. Did you have an interview?”

“Kierra came by.” I fan my best friend’s face with my hand.

“Kierra’s nice.” April pants. “Why is it so hot? Speaking of hot…” She whips her head up. “Where’s Chance?”

I roll my eyes.

“Right here.” Chance opens his arms and April flings herself into them. He brushes her hair back tenderly and tilts her chin up, his eyes skating affectionately over her freckles. “Did you run all the way from the garage?”

April swats him teasingly. “You’re lucky… I’m too tired… to talk.”

“What was wrong with the car?” I ask distractedly while looking around for Gunner. He seems to have disappeared again.

April shakes her head and prepares to launch into an explanation, but we’re interrupted by Benji.

His hair is sticking up in places and there are paint spatters all over his clothes. The skin behind his neck and on his nose are a different shade than the rest of him. I probably should have offered him sun screen earlier.

Benji draws close to me. “Rebel, you wereamazing. You almost convincedmeto pack up and open a firm in Lucky Falls. I wasthatmoved.”

“It was nothing.”

Benji touches my shoulder. “I’ve seen lawyers twice your age choke in front of a camera. You’re a natural.”

“Rebel’s never been afraid of the spotlight,” April jumps in, her eyes darting from where Benji’s touching my shoulder to my face.

I clear my throat. “April, this is Benji. His father is the owner of Scooby’s Nightmare. Benji, this is my best friend and business partner, April. If you ever have car trouble,thisis the person you should call. She’s never met an auto problem she can’t solve.”

Benji looks impressed.

“April’s a genius with cars.” Chance puffs out his chest, proud as a peacock.

I can’t help but snicker at him.

April gestures to me. “Rebel’s a genius too. But since you saw her work on Scooby’s Nightmare, I don’t have to convince you.”

“You two must be drowning in customers. I knowIwould love to bring my car to a shop with such beautiful mechanics.” His voice softens and so does his gaze when he looks at me.

I clear my throat again.

April frowns. “It’s a good thing people bring their cars to us because we can actuallyfixthem and not just because we’re pretty.”

“Oh.” Benji’s eyes widen. “I didn’t mean that with any disrespect. Of course, you’re both extremely capable. I only meant?—”

April chuckles. “Relax, Benji. I was just kidding. Any friend of Rebel’s is a friend of mine. I’ll second what Rebel said about bringing your car around if you have trouble. We’ve got a full schedule, but I’ll make time for you.”

Benji’s grin is tinged with relief. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Finally, I spot Gunner coming around the school building. Something’s wrong. I can tell by his quick, urgent strides, stiff shoulders, and tense arms.

I lunge toward him. “Gunner, what happened?”

He careens to a stop and looks down at me. My gaze gets sucked into a pale, worried blue.

“My mother,” he swallows, “she’s in the hospital.”

CHAPTER

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