Page 174 of Cold As Ice

“I’m so fucking happy for you and Ella, you know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know, man. Come here.” He pulled me in for a hug, slapping me on the back a little harder than necessary. “Little piece of advice,” he whispered, “hold onto her.”

“Plan on it,” I said, breaking away before the conversation could get any deeper.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back soon with Madison in tow.” It was already late, and the party would start winding down soon.

It didn’t make any sense. Unless her battery had died, or they needed her to stay longer at the bar.

I ordered an Uber as I headed for the entrance, but Rory intercepted me on route. “Austin, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“Madison hasn’t turned up yet so I’m going to head over to O’Shea’s and make sure everything is okay. If she turns up, can you text me.”

“Of course, I hope she’s alright.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.”

Because the notion that she wasn’t…

Nope. Not going there.

I met my Uber and climbed in, sending her another text.

Austin: I’m heading over to O’Shea’s now. If you’re already on the way to me, let me know and I’ll double back around. Can’t wait to see you.

I hit send and waited.

Like all my other messages before, it went unanswered.

* * *

By the time the Uber pulled up outside of O’Shea’s I was on edge.

Madison still hadn’t replied to me, and Rory had messaged to say there was no sign of her yet.

It didn’t make any sense. We were good. Everything was great.

Her mom had been a little frosty with me when I’d met her earlier in the week, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. Nothing that should have worried Madison.

Unless Mrs. Reynolds had been whispering in her daughter’s ear, planting doubts.

No, we were solid. I hung out at Sugartown, visited her on her shifts at the bar. I’d even gone with her a couple of times to pick Imogen up from pre-K, and we’d all gone over to Jeremiah’s so I could officially meet the best friend and his cat.

We were writing our own story on our own terms.

The only thing I hadn’t done yet was give her the three little words she’d already said to me.

She knew I felt them. She had too.

They were in every touch, every kiss and smile. Every laugh we shared.

Madison made me happy.

She made me feel worthy.

I’d declined the Canucks invitation to talk for fuck’s sake. She had to know what she meant to me.

Didn’t she?

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