Page 215 of Ice Darling
Brenda: I love it! Are we about to launch a new operation?
Sasha: It worked SO well the first time.
Brenda: You have a point. How about we call it “Operation Marriage”?
Sasha: That’s a bit too on the nose. How about Operation “Put A Ring On It”?
Brenda: It feels too light.
Sasha: We’ll workshop the name.
Brenda: I can’t wait. I love working with you, Agent Davenport.
Sasha: The feeling is mutual, Agent Renthrow. Now, let’s get our kids hitched!
Chapter Seventy-Three
Cordelia
I used to think small towns were boring and predictable.
To be fair, in certain aspects, Lucky Falls fits that stereotype.
Phil’s donuts always opens early in the morning, rain or shine. There’s always a long line out the door. And the dang chocolate-covered donuts are always sold out before I can get to them.
In Lucky Falls, people know you by name, and if they find out something about you, they bring it up in conversation constantly.Did you ever fix that leaky pipe? Are you planning on joining the motorhomes committee? I notice your bike’s been parked at Renthrow’s a lot lately.
Speaking of conversation, the small town gossip?
Top-tier.
The nursing-home group chat—that I’m now a part of, thanks to April—gets the hottest news first. Senior citizens have their finger on the pulse, is all I’ll say about that.
Thanks to the group chat access, I’m not at all surprised when my bosses find out I’m dating Renthrow for real before I can make any sort of formal announcement.
“We should do a group date!” Rebel chirps, flashing another pageant-perfect smile.
April’s eyes glitter. “That sounds awesome!”
“You should call Renthrow,” Rebel says, ripping off her gloves, so she can text Gunner.
“What about me?” May pouts. “Am I not invited because I’m single? On top of being lonely, am I now beingpunishedfor it?”
April rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, May.”
“I don’t see why May can’t come,” Rebel says. “It’s just The Tipsy Tuna.”
“Maybe the guys can invite Campbell?” May bats her eyes and sighs. “He’s such a hottie.”
“I thought you were into Theilan?” Rebel wonders. “Weren’t you gushing about his abs last week?”
“That was two weeks ago.” May rolls her eyes.
April scratches at her temple in thought. “Wait, didn’t you say you thought Max was ‘so manly’ last week?”
“Not last week. That was last month. Does no one listen to me?” The college student throws her hands high.
“How are we supposed to keep up when your crushes change every ten seconds?” April defends as she locks up her toolbox.
