Page 49 of Icebound Attraction

“But you could have left it at that. That didn't give you the right to behave like a madman and take advantage of it to settle your ego issues with him.”

He frowns.

“What do you mean my ego problems? Do you really think that all that mattered at that moment was getting him to shut up because we'd clashed before on the ice? You've got it all wrong, Emily.”

Now it's my turn to frown.

“The guy's an asshole, period. Yeah, I handled it wrong, and violence is a long way from solving everything. But his behavior crosses too many lines. Fuck, you said no! And it's always the same with him... He needed a beating,” he continues.

There's a moment of silence between us, and I can feel my anger slowly fading.

“I understand, yes...”

I look up and meet his eyes. He seems to be seething inside.

“Honestly, what kind of guy would I have been if I hadn't intervened? Yes, I know you could have taken care of yourself that you're independent in that way. But who the hell would I have been if he'd dragged you into a corner to hurt you, huh?”

He seems genuinely upset and I'm touched by what I read in him.

“I...” I stammer.

He cuts me off.

“I care about you, Em. I really do. I'd do it all over again. Well, maybe this time I wouldn't break his nose...”

“Are you going to get into trouble because of this?” I ask, suddenly worried.

He shrugs.

For a moment, we say nothing.

I'm beginning to realize that our relationship is far more complicated than a normal friendship.

I nod and a feeling of reconciliation spreads between us.

***

The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the air as Cassy and I enter the campus coffee shop.

Liam is seated at a table in a corner, with a blonde next to him. They're obviously having fun together and chatting animatedly.

My mood darkens instantly, and I hate having so little control over myself. Cassy notices my distraction and follows my gaze curiously.

“Checking out your knight in shining armor?”

I force myself to smile.

“No, don't be silly!” I evade. “I was just thinking.”

In fact, I'm overcome by a feeling I don't know, like some kind of anxiety.

Could it be jealousy?

The way Liam laughs and talks to her tightens my stomach and turns my heart inside out. Shit... I've never been jealous. I find it a terribly unnecessary feeling.

Cassy leans toward me.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

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