Page 84 of Cold As Ice

“Go, we’ve got this, right, Immy?”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured, barely looking up from that damn cat.

“Remember, Vader isn’t a toy, Immy. If you keep petting her like that, she’ll get cranky.”

“She wikes it. Bye, Mommy.”

“Love you too,” I muttered to myself, grabbing my purse off the counter. “I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

But not too early, I was looking forward to a rare lie in.

“Okay, Mommy.”

“Okay, then. Guess I’ll go.”

“I’ll text you updates,” Jeremiah said.

“Thanks.” I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, telling myself that he was right.

Telling myself that my baby would be okay.

* * *

“How’s my favorite girl?” Kingsley asked when I arrived on shift.

“I’m good. How’s Yolanda and the kids?”

“They’re a pain in my ass as usual.”

“But you wouldn’t have it any other way.” I smiled, slipping my notepad into my back pocket.

“Damn straight. How’s that man of yours?” My brows furrowed, and he gave me a knowing laugh. “Don’t be looking at me like you don’t know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“What are we talking about?” Hannah joined us.

“Just checking in on Madi’s new guy.”

“Ooh, yes. How is the new guy?” Her mouth twitched with amusement, and I flipped her off.

“There’s nothing to tell.” I brushed past them both and made myself busy organizing glasses behind the bar.

“Can we expect to see him tonight?” she asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Shame. A bit of eye candy makes things around here run a little faster.” Hannah flashed me an amused wink before turning her attention to the tables.

Kingsley’s deep chuckle reverberated through me as I shook my head at their antics. Hannah was… well, she was Hannah. And Kingsley was one of the best guys I knew. He treated most of the female staff at O’Shea’s like family. It’s why Jack kept him around.

We felt safe with him watching over us, and he had that firm but fair approach that usually nipped altercations in the bud before they could get out of hand.

He was one of the reasons I’d stuck it out here for so long.

“You just make sure he respects your boundaries and treats you like the queen you are,” he called across the bar, making my cheeks flame.

If only it was that simple.

But I couldn’t tell them the truth.

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