Page 80 of Cold As Ice

“No, I’m not sure I do.”

“God, Mads, don’t make me spell it out for you. We’re fuck buddies. Friends with benefits. Each other’s booty call.”

“And is this little arrangement you have with Todd exclusive?”

“I’m not sure. We haven’t hadthe talk.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?” I asked.

“Not really. I mean, he doesn’t seem the kind to be dating a string of other women, but if he is, we’re safe, and it’s consensual.” I must have pulled a face because she added, “Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

Her soft laughter didn’t ease the knot in my stomach. It only made me more tense, replaying last night over in my head. How easily my resolve had cracked.

I liked him.

I liked Austin a whole lot, and I really liked the way he made me feel. Maybe a little too much.

Enough that I didn’t want to lose it.

But exclusive friends with benefits?

There was no harm in that, was there?

He had the team. His practice schedule was intense. And I was a single mom working two jobs. It wasn’t like there was time for the spark between us to catch fire and turn into something… more.

“You know, Mads, if you are texting someone, that’s okay,” Kayleigh added with motherly concern despite being only a few years older than me.

“I know. But it isn’t like that,” I forced out the words over the silly little lump in my throat.

She just smiled, leaving me to fill the rest of the cabinet while she went out back to fetch more cakes.

I tried all morning to forget about Austin, but he wasn’t making it easy, probably because the sex was that damn good.

Sure, I felt a speck of guilt at the fact I’d brought him into my home again, but my friends were right; I was entitled to a life outside of being Imogen’s mom.

Kayleigh reappeared and placed the final tray of cakes on the counter, then went to open up. Not even a minute had passed before people filed inside, all looking for their early morning coffee and sugar fix.

I spotted the blonde from the other day before she spotted me. “Good morning,” I said. “Back for more?”

“What can I say? I have an unhealthy attachment to brownies.” She smiled, her kind eyes running over the glass display full of today’s offerings. “And those brookie bars were so freaking good.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed them.”

“Thanks for the recommendation. I’m Harper, by the way.”

“Madison.” I smiled, a trickle of uncertainty going through me.

Austin didn’t want to tell his friends about me, and that was okay. We weren’t together—he didn’t owe me anything. But Harper seemed like a nice girl, and I couldn’t deny part of me was intrigued about what she would say about the Lakers goalie if I asked her.

“Did you give your boyfriend the business card?” I asked.

“I did. Now practice has started up again, most of his spare time is spent at the facility.”

“You said he plays hockey?”

“Yeah. He’s a left-winger.”

“I don’t know much about hockey.”

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