Page 69 of Cold As Ice

My stomach dipped, but thankfully, she added, “Well, thanks for this. I’m going to grab a table and start on some pre-class reading.” Grabbing her tray, she headed off to find a seat.

With the lunch rush over and nothing else to do, I watched her discreetly from across the room, making her story up in my head. I bet she studied English or the Arts. Her boyfriend was probably an academic, too. Intelligent but in that sexy nerd kind of way. They probably spent their days discussing the classics and visiting museums. And the sex was off the charts because he was an overachiever and made it his mission in life to learn exactly how to please her.

God, I needed to get out more.

I shook the silly thoughts out of my head and distracted myself by organizing the eco-friendly coffee cups. By the time the pretty blonde returned her mug and empty plate, I’d fully restocked the cups and moved on to the cake boxes.

“Good?” I asked, taking the tray from her.

“So good. I’ll definitely tell my boyfriend I have a new favorite.”

“Well, here’s a card so he doesn’t forget.” I plucked a business card out of the stand and handed it to her.

“Perfect. And I’ll grab some of the brookie bites to go, please.” She paid up, and I handed her the bag.

“Enjoy.”

“Oh, I will unless my boyfriend eats them all first. He’s impossible to fill up when he’s practicing all the time.”

“Practicing?” I asked.

“Oh yeah, he’s a hockey player.”

“A hoc—”

Her phone began to ring, and she dug it out of her pocket, glancing at the screen. “I need to take this. But thanks again.” She gave me a small wave and hurried out of the shop.

A hockey player.

Her boyfriend was a hockey player.

Interesting.

* * *

Sitting down with a mug of coffee, I grabbed my cell phone off the arm of the couch and pulled up my message thread with Austin.

Madison: I think one of your teammate’s girlfriends stopped by the coffee shop today.

Austin: Oh, really?

Madison: Cute, blonde, ordered gluten-free brookies.

Austin: Brookies?

Madison: Yeah, you know. It’s a layer of brownie and cookie smushed together to create a little slice of heaven.

Austin: Sounds like Mason’s girlfriend Harper. Did you talk to her?

I frowned at his reply. You couldn’t always interpret someone’s tone via text message, but if you could, I had a feeling Austin’s would be full of apprehension.

Madison: I didn’t talk about you if that’s what you’re asking.

Austin: Shit, Madi. I wasn’t… Fine. You got me. I haven’t talked to my friends about you yet.

I wasn’t at all surprised to hear that.

Madison: Relax, I’m just busting your balls.

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