Page 23 of Ice Darling
I glance down at her back pocket, notice the way she’s filling out those jeans, and immediately decide against sliding the money there as she’d done to me.
Instead, I step back and curl my fingers over hers. The slide of my thumb against the center of her palm makes her shiver and sends a very unwelcome shot of adrenaline through my body.
I slip the money right into her hand and wrap my hands around hers, forcing her fingers closed.
Leaning in so close, I can smell the heady mixture of her perfume and engine oil. I whisper, “I’m a father, and when I say this is the example I’m setting for my baby girl, Miss Davenport”—my eyes dip to her lips before meeting her gaze again—“I mean it.”
Chapter Eight
Sasha: How’d it go, Brenda?
Brenda: Oh, you should have seen it! He had her in his LAP in the middle of Bob’s Burgers!
Sasha: In his lap!
Brenda: Yes, it was so shocking!
Sasha: I knew it! I knew they just needed a little push. My daughter wouldn’t act that way with just anyone.
Brenda: They must like each other a lot. They can’t keep their hands off each other.
Sasha: Brenda, I have a question.
Brenda: Ask away.
Sasha: How do you feel about a destination wedding? Our family summers in St. Troupez and it would be SUCH a gorgeous spot for an outdoor ceremony.
Brenda: Where is that?
Sasha: France. Haven’t you been?
Brenda: My cruise line only goes the Caribbean route.
Sasha: We can do something in the Caribbean if you’d like. We own a private island in Belize.
Brenda: I don’t know about traveling for the wedding. I’ve always pictured something nice and small right here in Lucky Falls.
Sasha: Did he get married the first time in Lucky Falls? Wouldn’t that be a bit awkward?
Brenda: No, Viking moved back here to raise Gordie. This would be his first wedding ceremony in Lucky Falls.
Sasha: Okay. I don’t mind a small intimate wedding ceremony in Lucky Falls and then a reception somewhere in the city? I’d need a big enough venue for all my friends to join the occasion.
Brenda: Love it! Oh, I’m so happy we intervened. I have a great feeling about those two.
Sasha: So do I, Brenda. So do I!
Chapter Nine
Cordelia
The muffler roars as I ride my bike into the parking lot of the local grocery store.
I pay no attention to the women who shoot me judgmental looks or the men who stare admiringly at my ride.
Blocking out my surroundings, I pull my helmet off and hang it on the bar. I normally never do that. I’ve learned the hard way that whatever isn’t tied down on my bike is fair game.
But Lucky Falls is so safe that, if I dared, I could leave my key in the bike and come back to find it exactly where I left it.
