Page 44 of Cold As Ice

“That’s not a ’pology. Mommy says you should ’pologize when you hurts somebody.”

“I didn’t mean—” Her scowl deepened as she planted her fists on her hips, and I had to resist the urge to laugh at her. “I’m very sorry. Where is your mom, by the way?” I glanced around, frowning.

“She’s just— Oh, here she is. Wook Mommy. I mades a new friend.”

Fucking hell, the little hellion gave me whiplash.

“Immy, what are you— Austin? What are you doing here?”

“Madison.” Her name echoed through my head as she stepped up behind the cute kid and laid her hand on her unruly curls. “What— Fuck.”

“Austin.” She sucked in a breath, the blood draining from her face. “I can explain. I can—”

“She’s…”Yours. The word got stuck in my throat.

Because no way.

No. Fucking. Way.

“Yeah.” Guilt shone in her eyes, but barely touched the ice hardening around my heart.

A kid.

She had a fuckingkid.

A daughter with the same ocean eyes. Same golden hair and bow-shaped lips.

I’d been inside her. I’d been fucking desperate to know her secrets, to learn what put shadows in her eyes. But I thought it was a toxic ex or something.

I didn’t think—

Fuck.

“We should probably talk but now… It isn’t a good idea.” She dropped her gaze to the kid.

“Who is Austins, Mommy? Is he your friend?”

“He’s a… friend, yeah.” Her lips pressed into a thin smile as she peeked up at me.

Friend.

Fuck that.

She had akid.

“Hi, Mr. Austins, Mommy’s friend. I’m Imogen Grace, but you can calls me Princess Immy.” Imogen held out her hand and stared up at me expectantly.

I didn’t know what the fuck to do.

I had zero experience with kids, none.

A beat passed as the two of us stood there, glaring at each other until her little brows furrowed.

“Mommy, what’s wrong with him? He’s wikes a statue.”

“Austin,” Madison pleaded.

“I… Shit— I mean, sorry. I’m just really tired. You and your mom probably have things to do, and I… I need to be somewhere.” The words spewed out as panic began to build inside me.

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