Page 217 of Ice Darling
May brightens. “The guys are here! Who did they bring?”
I spin around, and my eyes immediately cling to Renthrow. He’s wearing the team jersey, and his hair is wet—from sweat or a shower, I’m not sure. He sees me too, and a grin grows on his face.
“It’s Max.” May huffs and turns away from the door. “Why didn’t they bring Nathan Campbell?”
I drag my eyes away from my gorgeous boyfriend and notice Max trudging in. The giant hockey-team manager is usually upbeat and quick with a smile, but he looks beaten down. I recognize the dark circles under his eyes, and it reminds me of myself. Maybe I should recommend he come to dinner at Renthrow’s? It helps me more than any pill I’ve ever been prescribed. Thanks to Renthrow’s gift in the kitchen, I finally get eight hours of sleep consistently.
“Hey.” Renthrow pulls out the chair next to me.
“Hey,” I say. Excitement, anticipation, and happiness all torpedo in my stomach. It happens every time Renthrow comes around, and I don’t think it’ll ever stop.
Gunner greets Rebel with a kiss on the forehead while Chance takes April’s hand and scoots his chair closer to hers.
May sits awkwardly beside Max, who’s massaging his forehead.
“Have you guys ordered yet?” Chance asks, resting his arm along the back of April’s chair. My usually firm and serious boss melts into him.
It’s amusing the way Chance brings out the gentle, helpless side of April. Looking at the way the team captain doesn’t allow her to lift a finger, not even to grab her own napkins from the bar, no one would ever think April could reprogram twelve engine trouble codes in an hour.
“Not yet,” Rebel says. “I have no idea what I’m in the mood for.”
“You said you wanted to incorporate more potatoes and less rice into your diet. How about this?” Gunner, the most guarded and reserved member of the team, points to an item on the menu.
“There you go. Proving you know me better than I know myself,” Rebel muses.
Gunner leaks a smile, and it’s something I’ve only ever seen him do around Rebel.
Renthrow cups my hand and sets our joined hands on his thigh. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just…” I glance around at all my friends. “Happy.”
“You’re beautiful when you’re happy.”
“And what?” I arch a brow. “I’m ugly when I’m sad?”
He laughs and shakes his head.
I lean forward, so I can trace the curve of his smile. His sexy stubble. His firm lips. His flash of white teeth.Wow.
“What?” he asks quietly.
“You’d think it’d be enough that you’re kind, responsible, a good dad, and an amazing lunch-bag packer. Unfortunately, you had to be nice to look at too. It’s unfair to other men, really. Did you leave anything for them?”
He laughs again, his ears turning a bit red. I bet he’d accuse me of flirting if we were alone, but I’m not. I’m being completely honest.
Beneath the table, Renthrow rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “I was thinking about you all through practice.”
I shift so our knees are touching. Then I whisper so only he can hear. “What about last night? Did you dream about me too?”
The tips of his ears get even redder, and he chuckles guiltily. “Reality is ten times better.”
“As it should be.” I wink.
Mauve arrives and darts around to get our orders, breaking my little bubble with Renthrow.
The food is dished out soon after, and we eat heartily. Renthrow hands me napkins when the dispenser on my left runs out and shares his drink with me when, as usual, I finish all of mine first.
He’s as attentive to me as he is to Gordie, and it’s amazing all the ways he gives and takes care of others so selflessly. It makes me want to beat him at his own game, and be even more selfless and considerate in return.
