Page 110 of Ice Darling
And then I freeze.
One side of me aches to run over. The other side wants to run the other way.
What if Gordie’s in the car?
That makes me take a step toward his truck.
Rebel or April can help.
I take a step back.
But they called you. This is a job. Your personal feelings shouldn’t get in the way.
I bite back my rising panic and take two steps in the car’s direction. Then I freeze again and turn back.
My brain is so muddled that I bump into a giant wall of a man. “Sorry,” I mumble without looking up.
“No problem,” the wall of muscles says. “But if you’re finished deciding whether or not you want to run away, you mind checking out my car?”
I freeze. My eyes slowly climb up the gray T-shirt snug against a barrel chest, shoulders that look like they’ve been stuffed with football shoulder pads, a square jaw covered in delicious sexy stubble, and light brown eyes.
My heart is instantly converted into a V8 engine, revving on all cylinders. I stumble back. Renthrow wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me out of the way as a bike whizzes past.
I stay close to him, my chest brushing against his and my mouth gaping.
“W-what are you doing here?” I squeak.
“My car broke down,” he says with a straight face. “Why? Were you doing something important before I called?”
My face is burning hot. “N-no.” Eyes bouncing around, I avoid his gaze. “Where’s Gordie?”
“At a friend’s.”
“O-oh.”
Renthrow’s eyes pierce mine. They’re more intense than I’ve ever seen, and I can’t breathe.
“I…should go look at your car.”
He doesn’t let me go. “Cordelia.”
I bite back a sigh. I really,reallylike how Renthrow says my full name. Those letters that had seemed so presumptuous and fussy coming from other people, feel special and valuable with him.
His eyes search mine. “I?—”
“Well, aren’t you two cute as a pickled onion.” A woman I recognize as a reporter for the local news passes by. She’s wearing a sports bra and yoga pants, and she has on a set of purple headphones.
Renthrow’s eyes squeeze shut. “Kierra, can you excuse us?”
“Sorry for interrupting. You two enjoy your night.” Kierra grins wide and speeds off with her handheld weights.
I glance around and realize that Kierra isn’t the only one enjoying the show. We’re being watched by everyone.
Oh my gosh.
Renthrow’s practically hugging me in the middle of Main Street.
I step back.
