Page 5 of Cold As Ice

“I hope so.”

“So Austin…” Her voice had an expectant edge, and I found myself replying, “Hart.”

“Austin Hart, I like that.” She grinned. “Tell me about yourself.”

“Not much to tell. I’m a senior at LU.”

“You’re a hockey goalkeeper?”

“How do you know that?”

Guilt flashed in her eyes as she murmured, “My friends and I might have looked you up.”

“Yeah, I’m the Lakers goalie. Or goaltender as we say in hockey,” I corrected her.

“Right. Like I said, I’m not really a fan. I’m more of a football girl.”

“Let me guess, it’s the tight white pants.”

She snorted. “I would never reduce an athlete to his uniform.”

Her laughter wrapped around me, tugging at something deep inside me again.

What the fuck was it about this girl?

We’d barely spoken a few words in the bar, but she had my full attention.

Even if I didn’t like it.

Ending things with Fallon had clearly fucked with my head. I didn’t want a relationship. I didn’t want someone to rely on me. I didn’t want that burden.

I wasn’t good at emotions, at opening up and letting people in. I preferred to keep my walls high and my defenses on high alert.

It was easier that way.

Safer.

But there was something about Madison.

Something I had no intention of exploring.

I would walk her back to her building and then be on my way.

“Are you from Lakeshore?”

“No, Syracuse,” I said, even though it hadn’t been home for a long time. “You?”

“I live in Olin Bay.”

“Next town over, right?”

“Yeah. One of my best friends goes to LU. I don’t get to see her much…” She trailed off, but I didn’t pry.

I wasn’t looking to learn all her secrets.

Madison’s cell phone pinged, and she dug it out of her clutch purse, checking the text.

“Everything okay?” I asked, noticing the tension bracketing her mouth.

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