Page 145 of Ice Darling
“It’s good to see you,” I say, rubbing her knuckles with my thumb.
“You too.” She holds eye contact. “You look nice.”
My ears start burning, and I can’t believe those three words have enough power to turn me into a shy teenager about to go to his first prom.
“And I enjoyed all the lunch boxes,” Cordelia adds. “Although, Rebel and April always force me to share.”
“I’ll make more so you can share and still have enough.”
“Okay,” she says, eyes twinkling at the prospect, and my heart melts.
When Cordelia left the arcade early, I wrote and rewrote a bunch of messages that I didn’t end up sending. I considered cornering her like I did when I pretended my car broke down, but I decided not to.
The last time she ignored me, I wasn’t sure about my feelings or hers. But this time, I’m certain that what I feel for her is deeper than friendship. I know she just needs space to work things out, and I respect that. Rather than be pushy, I figured I should seduce her where it counts—her stomach.
“Delia, Viking, are you two coming!” Sasha calls from the second floor.
“We’re coming!” Cordelia answers.
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the back of it. “You ready?”
“Not even close.”
I laugh and release her fingers. I’m suddenly looking forward to dinner tonight.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Cordelia
If I had my way, I would have been long gone.
But then Gordie appeared, and there was no hope of escape.
Since I’m stuck here tonight, I’ll find out what Mom’s plan is, so I can stop it and return to my peaceful life in Lucky Falls, far away from the shadows of the life I used to have.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Mom says at the end of the tour. “I made arrangements to eat on the back porch under the stars.”
Gordie squeals as if Mom promised her a brand new Hello Kitty scooter.
“Do you like that?” Mom asks, putting her hand on Gordie’s head.
The little girl briskly nods. Tonight, she’s dressed in a pink Hello Kitty T-shirt, jeans beneath a pink tutu, and sparkly yellow sneakers. The ensemble wouldn’t work on anyone but her.
“This way.” Mom gestures for Brenda and Gordie to head outside first. “Delia, would you help me bring out the plates?”
I sigh heavily and reroute to the kitchen.
To my surprise, I hear Renthrow’s heavy footsteps too. “I’ll help.”
“Viking, you’re our guest. You don’t have to do that. Mills put the drinks and a charcuterie board outside already. You can snack while we handle things in here.”
“It’s no problem, ma’am.” Renthrow’s smile is polite but firm. He’s not going anywhere.
“Well, alright then. Let’s see… What should we take out first? Do you think that pot is too heavy?”
Renthrow undoes the button at his cuff and rolls up his sleeves, revealing brawny, masculine arms with thick veins bulging beneath the skin.
I feel a little drool forming at the corner of my mouth.
