Page 136 of Cold As Ice

I couldn’t ever imagine leaving. I wanted to raise Imogen here. Wanted her to attend Olin Bay High School, to join the debate club or cheer team. I wanted her to fall in love, chase her dreams, and realize her potential.

But I couldn’t stop thinking that she would never truly know herself if she didn’t know the truth about her father. And the thought of telling heranyof that made my skin crawl.

I would do it one day. Later. When she was older and wiser. When I could trust that she could handle it. And I would pray that I’d raised her with enough confidence and forgiveness to understand it all.

“Madison, just in time.” Kayleigh looked up from behind the glass cabinet. “I have a batch of muffins in the oven. Take over this for me?”

“Of course. Let me just wash up.”

I quickly stowed my purse in the staff room and washed my hands.

The afternoon rush wouldn’t start for another thirty minutes or so, so we worked together to fill the cabinets and restock the takeaway boxes.

The sickly-sweet scent of cherries filled the room, tempered by a sharp note of lemon.

“What’s on this afternoon’s menu?” I asked, perusing the tray in Kayleigh’s hand.

“Lemon drop muffins. Dark chocolate cherry brookie bars. And I made an experimental batch of gluten-free chili chocolate cookies.”

“How do you look that good when you bake so well?”

She chuckled. “Trust me, after a while, it all starts to taste the same.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve worked here two years, and I still adore your bakes.”

“So how was your weekend?” She changed the subject. “Anything exciting happen?”

“Nope.”

I wasn’t going there.

Not now. Especially not with Kayleigh.

What happened at Zest on Friday was something I’d rather file away and forget all about.

Fawn had almost convinced me that things between Austin and I weren’t over, but they were.

They had to be.

Our lives were on different paths, and that was okay. I could appreciate our time for what it was. We had a spark, yes. But not all sparks burned bright. Some sputtered out before they could catch fire.

“Why do I feel like you’re lying to me?”

“I’m not. Do I need to restock the coffee cups?”

“You’re deflecting.”

“And you’re a pain in my ass.”

She chuckled at that. “It’s a good thing you’re one of my best employees.” Kayleigh winked before disappearing out back again.

God, was I really obvious?

I needed to lock down my emotions. Focus on work. Onnotthinking about Austin.

Because nothing good could come from that.

Nothing at all.

---