Page 148 of Cold As Ice

“Let’s just say I found a family at LU, and I thank the universe every day that I transferred here.”

“You and Noah seem very happy,” I said.

“We are. It sounds silly, but he taught me to love myself again.”

“It doesn’t sound silly at all.”

I know exactly what you mean.

* * *

Sunday, Kayleigh convinced me to work an extra shift again. And since Imogen was over at Jacqui and Ken’s, I agreed.

It was hard to refuse the opportunity to earn extra money when every penny I made counted.

“So let me get this straight, he ignored you for three days, gave you and Imogen tickets to the hockey game, and now he’s ignoring you again?”

“We texted Friday.”

“Yes, and now it’s Sunday.”

“I guess he’s staying true to his word and giving me space.”

I’d finally filled her in on everything. I needed someone to talk to and Kayleigh offered a different perspective since we were friends on a professional level rather than a personal level.

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I mean, it’s not like I’ve agreed to anything yet.”

She arched a brow, a knowing glint in her eyes. “And yet, you’re fooling nobody.”

“Oh hush.” I whipped my towel in her direction, but she dodged it at the last second.

“So now wouldn’t be a good time to tell you, your guy is heading toward the door.”

“What?” My head snapped over to the window and sure enough, Austin was there.

He smiled when he saw me and came inside.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” I blushed. “What are you doing here?”

“You greet all your customers that way?”

“Sorry, you caught me off guard. You seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

The air crackled, the connection between us refusing to be ignored.

“I heard you both enjoyed the game,” he said.

“We did, thank you. You didn’t by any chance send Rory to support your case, did you?”

He considered my words, then smirked again. “I’m insulted you think I’d do such a thing. But no, I didn’t know if she’d go or not. I am glad you two got to hang out though.”

“You’re not worried she told me all your deepest, darkest secrets?”

“It doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling but strangely, I’m okay with it.”

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