Page 82 of Ice Darling
“Renthrow, you look so uncomfortable,” she whispers teasingly.
“I’m just soaking it all in.” I duck behind a menu and instantly regret my hiding place of choice. The prices are even more horrific than I anticipated.
I think of Gordie’s college fund and my modest investments. Maybe I should skip making payments to my retirement fund this month…
The sound of chair legs scraping prompts me to lift my head. To my surprise, I notice Cordelia abandoning her chair and pulling out the one right next to me.
Having her so close makes my pulse jump. “Why’d you move?”
“Can I tell you a secret?” She sticks her elbow on the table and rests her head on her palm, looking up beneath a fringe of dark lashes.
“What?”
“Brennon’s the first guy I ever loved.”
I frown instantly. Why is she sharing this all of a sudden?
“I liked him so much that I made this little journal with all his accomplishments, listing all the things I liked about him. And I gave it to him and asked if he’d give me a chance.”
“Did he?”
“Not exactly.” She forces a smile, and I can tell she’s trying to make light of something that still affects her. “He said I shouldn’t have wasted my time making a scrapbook. He said he only ever saw me as a little sister. We’d known each other for years, and I’d mistakenly thought I had a chance. But he very clearly told me that I was wrong.”
I pull my fingers into fists, angry on her behalf. “Should I punch him on sight?”
“I’d rather hurt his pocketbook.” She lifts the menu and arches an eyebrow. “Help me get revenge?”
I give Cordelia a thoughtful look, putting the puzzle pieces together.
Her smile fades a bit, and she gets up. “If you don’t want to?—”
I grip her arm to stop her from leaving.
How could I have ever considered Cordelia Davenport cold? She shared that personal story about being rejected, so I wouldn’t feel pressured to pay for tonight’s expensive meal. She’s trying to help me while protecting my pride.
“What is it?” Her eyes search mine.
“Eat what you want.” I slide my thumb over the back of her hand. “Whatever it is, I’ll pay tonight.”
Her eyebrows arch high.
“But…” I tug her to sit again and rest my arm along the back of her chair. “If you want revenge, I can think of better ways to do it.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cordelia
I see Brennon and the maître d’ weaving through the aisle to our table and quickly focus my attention there. Renthrow notices the direction of my gaze and straightens too.
It’s for the best that our conversation is cut short. Whatever his suggestion was, the dark look in his eyes was about to set me on fire.
“Cordelia!” Brennon hustles to a stop in front of our table, and I rise to greet him. He wraps his hands around my shoulders and pulls me in for cheek kisses.
By the time Brennon lets me go, Renthrow is on his feet and on edge.
Brennon grins as if he can’t sense the real and very present threat. “Hey! Viking Renthrow, right? I recognize you from the team files. You’re one of the three pre-chosen for the league roster.”
“Yeah.” Renthrow frowns as he shakes Brennon’s hand.
