Page 169 of Cold As Ice

“It’s a doggy, Mommy. And there’s some princess gloves. Why did you gets me gloves, Austins?”

“Well, the bulldog is the mascot from the team we played at the weekend. But don’t tell my teammates I got you one. And the gloves are for today.”

“Wheres is we going then?” She frowned at him, anticipation glittering in her eyes.

“How would you like to go ice skating with Harper, Mason, and Scottie?”

“For reals? We’re going hockey skatings with Scottie?”

“We are.”

“Woohoo, this is the bestest day evers.” She began running circles around us.

“I think she’s excited,” I chuckled.

When he’d suggested it, I knew Imogen would love it. She loved her new friends. Especially Scottie.

“Thank you Austins.” She grabbed hold of his leg and hugged it. “You is the bestest Mommy’s boyfriend ever.”

His eyes snapped to mine, flaring with a rare glimpse of emotion.

“She has a point,” I said, knowing my next words would rock his world. “You do make a pretty good boyfriend.”

* * *

“I can’t believe I’m watching Austin Hart play princesses versus hockey players,” Harper said as we drank our hot chocolates on the bench.

We’d all been out on the ice but the kids were running circles around us, so Austin and Mason offered to watch Imogen for a little bit while we—mostly me since I hadn’t skated in years—caught our breath.

“Are you keeping up with the score because I have no idea what is happening right now,” I said.

Austin had his arms hooked under Imogen’s shoulders half-carrying and half-gliding her around the ice while she attempted to maneuver the hockey stick. Scottie was guarding the goal and Mason looked to be chasing them or running away from them while Imogen shouted, “Save the princess,” at the top of her lungs.

I was grateful that we’d managed to score a private session, thanks to Mason who knew the owner of the ice rink because nobody needed to hear that.

“Nope, but she’s enjoying herself.”

“She is.” I smiled.

She loved Scottie and Austin, and although Mason was a little more guarded, she’d even warmed to the Lakers left-winger.

“So are you the two of you… together?”

“We’re seeing where things go.” I kept my answer vague.

If there was one thing I’d learned about Austin since meeting him, it was that he was a deeply private person. So while I meant what I said earlier when I’d indirectly referred to him as my boyfriend, I didn’t want to rush to put a label on things.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so much. So you must be doing something right.”

It was hard not to watch him with Imogen and imagine the future—the future I thought I’d have with Warren.

I was older now. Wiser. And I knew nothing was ever guaranteed.

But Austin made me happy.

He made us both so very happy.

“Madison, what’s wrong?” Harper gently squeezed my arm.

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