Page 14 of Icebound Attraction

That said, on the rare occasions we crossed paths, he ignored me as if we'd never spoken. I could almost feel the ice coldness he excels at swirling around him. As if our conversation had never happened. And yet, I'm not crazy, he made a pass at me! But then, flirting must be like a second sport for him, just as easy as the first... Maybe his attitude was also just a front to get him featured in my article. Anyway, it’s not the first time I've been fooled by a guy.

You need to toughen up, Emily!

I decide without hesitation to avoid him and don't even glance at him. It would be too much honor for the gentleman! It's obvious that he's just looking for good publicity on my back. And he's probably the big asshole I've heard described several times. In any case, it's no secret on campus that he doesn't let any conquest pass him by as soon as it gets a little close to his nets. Well, I won't be fooled!

It's probably best to avoid unnecessary encounters whenever possible. I don't want to be one of those girls who runs after him drooling, and I'm not interested in an arrogant guy like him either. Our collaboration will stop at the weekly articles I have to write about the ice hockey team.

Leaving the rink, I head straight for my room, which Cassy is redecorating once again. From the way I close the door before slumping onto our little sofa, she knows something's wrong. Head bent; she watches me curiously.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” I reply, resigned.

“All right.”

She simply shrugs and goes back to decorating. After a while, she brings me a cup of tea. It's exactly what I need, and I thank her with a small smile, suddenly a little embarrassed to have turned her down.

Without saying a word, she sits down next to me. Which is rather unusual for her. Not that she's normally a chatterbox, but... yes... Cassy is a real chatterbox! It's certainly fun and comforting, but sometimes, it's also very tiring.

After a short silence, she finally speaks up, as if the quiet in our room is too much for her to bear.

“Whatever's bothering you, it'll pass. And you're not alone.”

I simply nod and take a big sip from my cup. The taste is mild and goes very well with the honey.

I feel my tension release.

“I know what you need!” Cassy suddenly says, excitedly.

I look at her quizzically.

“A shopping spree! There's this new vintage store opening this weekend. You and Maddie absolutely must come!”

While I can think of several things that would cheer me up, running around the stores isn't one of them. But her excitement is almost contagious, and I have to admit that since I've been sharing her room, Cassy has been a pretty good friend. She's always in a cheerful mood, and even though she talks a lot, she's interesting.

But there's an important hockey game this weekend and I have to write about it. That means I still have to see Liam Scott and watch him, for several hours. Handsome, fresh, athletic, hot, sexy... In short. Torture.

I inhale and exhale deeply.

On the other hand, the distraction offered by Cassy could do me good and take my mind off things, as well as getting me off campus. So far, I haven't had a chance to go and see what's out there outside my course buildings, and the university newspaper. Besides the skating rink, of course. So, the opportunity seems nice, and I end up accepting.

What could go wrong? Maybe I'll even find a great outfit to complete my wardrobe, which Cassy finds too conservative for her taste.

My roommate can hardly contain her enthusiasm and kisses me on the cheek before leaping to her feet and leaping joyfully across the room.

“We're finally going to be able to find you some decent clothes,” she gloats with a big smile.

“My clothes are fine! I don't want to look like...”

I stop instantly when Cassy raises an eyebrow, waiting for the next part. I don’t want to offend her.

“Like what?”

“Vintage clothes don't suit everyone,” I say.

“Oh, honey... There's nothing wrong with your clothes, you know, it's just that they don't make you look your best.”

I grimace and concentrate on my mug of tea.

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