Page 102 of Cold As Ice

Even though stepping back in that place will destroy me.

CHAPTER18

MADISON

“Okay, out with it,”Kayleigh said, nudging me with her elbow as we worked side by side to get the shop ready for tonight’s taster session.

“What?” My brows furrowed.

“You look like someone kicked your puppy.”

“I don’t have a puppy.”

“Mads.” She rolled her eyes at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Her expression turned skeptical, and I struggled to hold in my sigh. “Something happened.”

“With the guy you’ve been texting?”

“Maybe.”

“If you’re trying tonottalk to me about this, you’re doing a great job.”

“Oh, hush.” I whipped her with a towel. “It wasn’t like it was serious or anything…”

“Okay, back up and start from the beginning because I feel like I’m missing some of the important facts here.”

“Austin. His name is Austin.”

“Okay, and where did you meet this Austin?”

“It’s not important.”

“A college guy, really, Mads?” Her laughter did little to quell the nervous energy zipping through me.

“How did you… No, never mind.” I didn’t want to hear how obvious I was being. “He came over last night after I got done at the bar.”

“Bringing him back to your place, that sounds pretty serious.” Her expression sobered. “And so not like you.”

“I know, I know.” When she said it like that, it sounded bad. Reckless. And it made me wonder if I’d made a huge mistake. “We agreed to keep things casual, and it isn’t like I can go to his place. He lives with his friends, it’s weird. And Immy was over at Jer’s. Or at least, she was supposed to be.”

“Oh my God, tell me they didn’t catch—”

I nod slowly. Internally cringing as I remember the sheer panic that had struck me when I’d realized Imogen was in the apartment while Austin and I were naked in my bed.

“She wanted to surprise me, and Jer didn’t think to check that I was home alone.”

Because Kayleigh was right—I didn’t do that. I didn’t bring guys back to my place.

Except, with Austin, I had.

More than once.

“Thankfully, he hid before she burst into my room, but I swear to God, Kay, my life flashed before my eyes.”

“Would it really have been that bad?” She frowned. “I mean, sure, it’s probably not the way you want your daughter to meet your…friend.” A smirk teased her lips. “But it could have been worse. You could have been mid-ride—”

“Kayleigh!”

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