Page 76 of Ice Darling
Because why is he standing at my front door, wearing a navy-blue button-down that hugs his broad shoulders in the best way?
And why, oh why, did he tuck that shirtintohis pants to show off his perfect waist that’s in perfect proportion to his shoulders?
And did he have to wear grey slacks that tapered down his tree-trunk legs in a style that’s both effortlessly sophisticated and unquestionably masculine?
I strain my neck staring up at him as he crowds my doorway, looking too tall to even pass through without ducking.
I was magnanimous enough to overlook him carrying me bridal-style out of the garage. I was kind enough to ignore that he paid for my hospital bill.
Butthisis crossing a line.
His face tightens at my assessment, and it’s not until I see the red creeping into his ears that I realize I’ve been staring without saying anything.
Blinking and shaking my head, I mumble, “You dressed up.”
He shrugs as if him in a button-down and slacks is no big deal.
Technically, I saw him dressed up for the announcement of the Lucky Falls training tournament, but this…feels different.
“Why?” I demand with a little more fire than necessary.
“This Brennon guy sounds like a schmuck.”
“A schmuck?” He’s not wrong, but how did he know? “What does that have to do with your outfit?”
“Schmucks take pretty ladies to pretentious restaurants. They have nothing else going for them but money, so they need to show it off.” He tilts his chin higher. “I’m here representing the team. I can’t make them look bad.”
I barely hear the rest of what he said. “Did you call me pretty?”
His eyes whip to mine and then back away slowly.
“You said pretty ladies… I’m assuming that includes me.”
“I wouldn’t call you pretty.”
My playful mood dissipates. “Oh.”
Renthrow’s eyes slide over me, slow and steady. As he always is. “That word…is too basic.”
My eyebrows jump.
“You’re one of those fancy words.”
“Fancy words?”
“Yeah.” He swallows. “Like ‘exquisite.’”
The compliment is delivered so matter-of-factly, so evenly, that I can only blink in stunned silence.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Renthrow dips into his pocket and produces a small box. It’s wrapped in Hello Kitty wrapping paper and held together with glittery pieces of tape.
“Is that…for me?”
“Gordie wrapped it.”
“I figured.” I chuckle, fondly touching the paper.
He rubs the back of his neck. “I, uh, was told to bring you flowers.”
