Page 124 of Cold As Ice

It wasn’t like we could turn around and walk out, so we’d spent the last two hours hanging out with them. They said the guys were stopping by later, and I’d planned to be long gone. But Fawn, the devious minx, kept plying me with drinks.

And maybe, just maybe, a little masochistic part of me wanted to stick around and see if Austin would show.

The look on his face when he’d spotted me sitting wedged between Harper and Rory had me sorely regretting my life choices, though.

“I should go.”

“Hell. No,” Fawn fumed. “We were here first, and we’re not leaving just because Hockey Hottie looks two seconds from either coming over here to choke the life right out of you or fuck it out of you.”

“Fawn.” Heat blasted through me, and I blushed.

“He doesn’t… That’s not—”

“Madi, come meet the guys.” Harper grabbed my hand and tugged me back toward the couple of tables we’d taken over.

I liked Zest. It had a chill vibe and clearly wasn’t your average college hang out, but my happy vodka-fueled bubble had burst the second Austin had walked in.

“Guys, this is Madison,” Harper announced, wiggling past Rory to sit on her boyfriend’s lap. He pulled her down and wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing the spot behind her ear.

“She works at the coffee shop I was telling you about on the edge of town.”

“I heard you made quite the impression with Scottie,” he said.

“Oh no, that was all Imogen.”

“Imogen?” one of the other guys asked.

“Madison’s daughter,” Rory said. “Oh my God, she’s just the cutest. She had Scottie wrapped around her pinky.”

“He’s already asked when we’re seeing you again.” Harper beamed, but her boyfriend didn’t look too impressed.

“He’s a sweet kid,” I said, hating the attention.

Hating that Austin hadn’t even looked twice in my direction.

“The cat café is such a great idea. I’m going to suggest something similar to Jet at the center. We’re always looking for new projects.”

“If you take on any more projects, I’ll never see you,” Mason grumbled.

“Who’s your friend?” the guy with the buzz cut asked as Fawn approached with our drinks.

“Fawn? She goes to LU.”

“She single?”

“Yes, she is.” Fawn flashed him a saucy grin.

“Nice. There’s a free seat right here.” He patted the space next to him, and she got herself comfortable.

“Your friend wasted no time, did she?” Mason let out a smooth chuckle, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Harper.

I didn’t belong with these people.

College students with their assignment deadlines and dreams beyond graduation. I had real-world worries. Bills to pay and mouths to feed.

It hadn’t felt so bad sitting with Harper and Rory and their other friends. I almost felt like one of the girls. Minus the fact they talked mostly about sex and studying. But now the guys were here, I was acutely aware of myself. Of Austin sitting across the table from me. So close and yet so far away.

Did he regret being with me?

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