Page 11 of Lost on Ice
He chuckles and shakes his head before looking up at me. “It’s so good to see you, Abbs! I didn’t know you were visiting Ivy Glen.”
I start to agree, and then stop myself. Time to stop hiding things. Well,somethings, at least. “Not visiting, actually,” I say. “I’ve moved back.”
“Holy shit, really?” He sounds genuinely excited, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. “That’s so awesome!”
He comes in for a hug, lifting me off my feet and swinging me around in a circle as I shriek with laughter. As soon as he sets me down, Tom swoops in for a hug of his own.
“It’s great to see you,” he declares, squeezing me tight. “Finally got sick of Harrisburg, huh?”
I chuckle. “Something like that.” Looking around, I continue, “I should check in real quick. Be right back.”
I cross to the concierge desk, and the lady standing behind it gives me a smile as I approach.
“Checking in?” she asks.
I nod. “Yep. There should be a room under Williams.”
The concierge looks down and taps away on her computer for a few seconds. “Yes, we have you on the third floor.”
She grabs a keycard and hands it to me.
“Thank you.” I take the card and turn back toward everyone. I realize, while walking, that I have the biggest smile. I really can’t believe how much I needed this, and how all of mystresses are just melting away. “Ready!” I cry out, practically skipping toward my people… but something looks odd about Sophie’s expression. She seems bothered in a way she wasn’t, only moments ago. And right as I’m about to reach them, the glass doors slide open and I’m hit by a blast of cold air. A tall, imposing figure steps through.
Oh, no.
No, no, no, no.
Dark blue eyes that I’d recognize anywhere lock with mine. He stops in his tracks.
Jake.
What the hell is he doing here?
He stares at me, looking as shocked as I feel. The world comes to a screeching halt as we gaze at each other. God, he’s just as handsome as ever. Messy brown hair, broad shoulders, and a toned, muscular body dressed in jeans and a black coat… I gulp and try my best not to ogle him. I don’t know what to do or say. Part of me is screaming to just ignore him. Play it cool and calm and just walk away from him. Another part of me just wants to keep looking at him, while my feet are frozen in place.
“Abbie?” His lips curl into a bright smile and he runs his gaze up and down my body, making me shiver as heat unfurls in my belly and pulses through me. “What the hell? What are you doing here?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. I just stare at him for several long moments like a fish.
Suddenly, Carter appears at Jake’s side.
Throwing his arm over Jake’s shoulders, he exclaims, “Jake! You’re here! I’m so glad you made it. Isn’t it great that Abbie’s here too? She’s moved back to Ivy Glen!”
Jake raises his brows in surprise. “Is that so?”
Clearing my throat, I murmur, “Yep, it is.” I can barely hear my own words over the furious pounding of my heart.No no no no!
He regards me for a moment before giving me a small smile. “That’s great to hear. I’m sure everyone’s happy to have you back.”
Carter exclaims, “Hell yeah we are! Come on, man, let’s get you checked in.”
Shaking myself out of my stupor, I quickly move to get out of the way. Sophie reaches my side and slips her arm through mine.
“I had no idea he was going to be here,” she whispers. “Carter just told me he invited him right while you were checking in. It’s been a while since they’ve seen each other, and I’m sure Jake agreed to come since it’s Carter’s birthday.” She squeezes my hand and stares into my eyes with sadness written all over her face. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I assure her, even though my twisted stomach says otherwise. “Really, it’s not a big deal.”
Jake and Carter stop in front of the concierge desk, and Carter turns to speak to the attendant: “Checking in. The room should be under Williams.”
