Page 23 of Cider
“Couldn’t have been that hard since there’s nothing in there.”
My eyelid twitched. “Seriously? How juvenile are you?”
“That’s what she said.” Quinten yelped. “Ow! Lys!”
“Stop being a child!” I listened in amusement as the other line hung up.
We’d have to finish our conversation later. For now, I needed to open the store and focus on what I could do in the moment.
Including making a note to call Igor for her ideas. Now, it had gotten personal.
Chapter 13
The zamboni had been on the ice multiple times today because of the hockey team's practice. That meant I was able to watch Jack as he concentrated on driving around the strange machine. A few times, I’d even caught him looking at my store’s direction.
There had to be a story there. He’d been cruel when our bond had formed and that night had been even worse when he’d come over for our first dinner. Yet, when Titus had chastised him, he’d snapped out of whatever funk he’d been. Those two had history, I remembered that Titus had mentioned that, but there had to be more.
Because of the practice, I was busy throughout the day. Fans liked to come watch the Silver Springs team whenever they were on the ice. Even if it wasn’t an actual game. By the time closing came around, most patrons of the rink were heading out.
I had just been about to head out when the door opened to admit Jack inside. His hair was windblown and there were snowflakes on his eyelashes.
My breath caught as he shook out his hair with his hand. He looked up at me and froze.
“Hi.” A giggle slipped out at the simple greeting.
His lips curled in a smile that took the rest of the air out of my lungs. “Hi.”
We both laughed for several long moments. It helped ease the tension.
“Cider.” Jack sombered first. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
Out of the scenarios that ran through my head, that question had not been part of any of them. I’d even had one where I threw a cup at his face.
“Tomorrow night? Nothing. I think? Should I?” I stepped around the counter, closer to him.
He met me halfway, surprising me. He looked down at me with his hooded eyes that sent my blood boiling and my nipples betrayed me again.
“I owe you an explanation for the way I’ve treated you. Can I take you on a date?” He held his hands together, the only thing showing that he was nervous.
“Yes.” I didn’t even have to think about it. “Only if you’ll let me make you a drink sometime.”
There was that devastating smile again.
“Deal. Make sure you wear warm clothing, okay?” Jack placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezed it, and walked out. “See you tomorrow!”
My heart warm, I didn’t pay much attention as I locked the door and headed to my car. I didn’t see the note that was under my wipers until I’d actually gotten into my car and started it.
“Damnit,” I got back out of the car, grabbed it, and got back inside. I locked the doors before opening the note.
My mouth dropped. It was a single word, but that word was my secret ingredient to my hot cider drink.
“Son of a bitch!” Slapping my hands on the steering wheel, I started cursing up a storm again.
It had to be Samuel. He was the only one who had any interest in it. But how did he figure it out? I didn’t have it written down. It was all in my head. Plus, I used the secret ingredient in several other drinks, so it’s not like anyone could figure it out.
Feeling a sense of dread, I backed out of the parking space and headed home. I was a little scared at that moment and needed to get back to Billy since he’d be home.
Thankfully, all the lights on the outside were on as I hurriedly went in.
