Page 168 of Ice Darling
Settling down, I trace the lines of Gordie’s precious face with my finger. She has the longest eyelashes and such pretty little eyebrows. And her nose is the absolute cutest.
I haven’t seen any pictures of her mother, so I can’t tell what features of hers belong to her mom and which belong to Renthrow. But honestly, it doesn’t matter. Whoever she looks like, she’s just Gordie to me. The little girl who made my heart beat again.
Renthrow gets up to get a glass of water. With my free hand, I stroke Gordie’s hair. The little girl nuzzles me like a cat, letting me know that she appreciates the movement even in her sleep.
I keep rubbing as my eyelids get heavier and heavier. My stomach’s full from the food, and Gordie’s so sweet and small against me. I feel like I’m floating in a warm bubble.
Sleep tugs at me, but I don’t want to conk out in Renthrow’s houseagain.And especially not on our first date. What if I drool?
Stay up, Delia. Stay up.
Unfortunately, it’s a pointless fight.
I don’t realize I dozed off until I feel an emptiness by my side, and I sit up with a start.
“Sh, sh,” Renthrow cautions. He’s hunched over me, lifting Gordie in his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got her.”
My brain is too fuzzy to pick up that he called me something other than Cordelia. “Did I fall asleep?”
He nods. “I’ll put Gordie to bed and be right back.”
“I’ll stay up,” I promise him.
I do not keep that promise because, when I hear Renthrow’s footsteps coming down the stairs, I jolt to an upright position.
He sits right next to me, his arm kissing mine.
“Did Gordie brush her teeth?” I mumble.
He shakes his head. “We’ll have to keep tonight a secret from her dentist.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.” I yawn.
Renthrow sees me fighting to keep my eyes open and smiles. “This is starting to become a habit.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I answer groggily. “I’ve had trouble sleeping for a long time, but whenever I come to your place, I knock out instantly.”
“That means you feel comfortable here.” He smiles, pleased. “And that you trust me.”
“Maybe,” I say, yawning again.
Renthrow stretches one arm over the back of the sofa and knocks a fist against his shoulder, indicating I should rest on him.
I pull away. “I should head home.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to get on that bike when you’re this knocked out.”
He has a point.
“Okay. I’ll nap for an hour. Then I have to go.”
“Sure.”
I nestle against him and listen to the cadence of his strong heartbeat. Are all heartbeats so steady, or is it because he’s an athlete?
Gordie doesn’t have to worry about her dad’s health. Renthrow’s going to be around for a long time.
Wanting to be even closer, I inch toward him until our thighs are pressing together.
