Page 135 of Cold As Ice

“You don’t have to go,” Ella called in our well-practiced routine of them getting all handsy and me making a quick exit.

“Let him go,” Connor said as I walked away. “Something tells me he has a lot of thinking to do.”

He was right; I did.

But this time, I didn’t walk away from them with bitter resentment and frustration.

I walked away with an odd feeling of hope.

CHAPTER24

MADISON

“I appreciate you taking her,”I said to Jacqui.

It was Monday afternoon, and Kayleigh had offered me an extra shift I couldn’t refuse.

“Anytime, Madi. We’ve told you that.” She smiled. “And how is Princess Immy today?”

“I mades a new friend.”

“You did, huh.”

She nodded emphatically, blonde curls bouncing around her face. “He’s a hockey player, and he’s this tall.” Imogen reached high. “And don’t tells Grampy, but I’m going to asks Scottie to be my boyfriend.”

“Wow, that sounds wonderful, sweetheart.” Jacqui gave me a mildly concerned look.

“Don’t worry. Scottie is a friend’s little brother, and I’ve explained to her that boyfriends are for when you’re older. Much older.”

“I wants Mommy to get a boyfriend,” she declared. “But she said it doesn’t works wike that.”

Jacqui smothered her laughter, and I refrained from cringing. We were all used to Imogen’s lack of filter. But discussing my dating life with my ex’s mom was one conversation I wanted to avoid for all eternity.

“I should be back around seven.”

“We’ll be fine, won’t we, princess?”

“Of course. Can we bake cakes again?”

“We can do whatever you want, sweetheart.” Jacqui held out her hand, and Imogen took it.

“I’ll see you later, okay? You be a good girl for Grammy Jacqui.”

“I will, Mommy. I’ll be the bestest girl evers.”

“I know you will.” I kissed my fingertips and held them out to her. “See you later.”

I let myself out and zipped up my jacket to stave off the cool breeze.

My stomach still felt a little tender after my awful hangover Saturday, but it was nothing that one or two brookie bars wouldn’t fix.

I still couldn’t believe what had happened at the bar. Couldn’t stop dwelling on that moment right before Fawn interrupted us.

What had Austin been about to say?

I guess I would never find out now. It was probably better that way.

The walk to Sugartown only took me fifteen minutes. It was one of the things I loved about Olin Bay—how small the town was.

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