Page 20 of Melting the Ice

Anna rolled her eyes.

***

I took a final sip of my hot chocolate as Cora finished up the story of how she met Nate. I’d demanded that one after she gave me the details of Anna’s romance with Nick. Cora was animated as she talked, clearly a natural storyteller, and Anna had laughed a lot, obviously used to Cora sharing each of their meet-cutes. Although Anna’s sounded anything but cute with her grumpy grinch. I refused to think about him as Santa because how could there be a Santa who didn’t like sugar? It was a travesty.

“Crap, it’s late. I should get back,” Cora said. “I should at least get some writing done today.”

“Me too. Not the writing part, of course. No, thank you,” Anna said. Not that she’d spent the entire time sitting with us. She’d gone back into the kitchen to bake more cupcakes and hadworked the counter while her employee took a break before she sat down with us for another cup of coffee.

“It’s not that bad when they actually listen to you,” Cora said, almost pouting.

“But don’t you make them up?” I asked.

Cora patted my hand. “So you’d think they’d work with you, right? So ungrateful.” She laughed. “I swear I’m not crazy.”

“I think it’s amazing. I could never come up with a story and characters. And you illustrate them, too.”

“Well, I did the kids’ books, but I’m working on my first historical romance right now. I swear I’ve written it over and over again at this point. I even took a break from it to write another Funny Bunny book just to switch my brain up. Surprisingly, it helped.”

“I’ve actually done some work with authors over the last year with illustrations. More avatars for their social media and branding, some covers.” I paused, shaking my head. “I promise this isn’t me trying to drum up business.”

“Don’t even worry about that. I would love to see what you’ve done some time.” The genuine smile on Cora’s face told me I hadn’t stepped too far. From what I’d learned today, she was a well-established children’s author, and I was definitely going to look her stuff up as soon as I got home.

“And make sure you stop by the family suite at the next home game. Micah got you a pass, right? I can get you one if not,” she said.

“Yes, he did. And really, thank you. This was fun.”

She gave me a hug. “It was. Micah is so intense and quiet. I love that he has a spitfire like you to keep him on his toes. You know, as friends, of course.”

“Just friends,” I echoed.

Anna laughed. “Ignore her. She wants everyone to hook up like they’re in their own romance novels.”

“Oh, hush. You did, and you love it. HEA all day,” Cora said, her eyes twinkling.

“Go write and stop stalling,” Anna replied.

“Fine, fine. Josie, you want to catch a cab back together?” Cora asked.

“Definitely. I’m done with the cold for the day.”

“I have a to-go bag for both of you,” Anna said, giving us both hugs and more treats.

Damn, I was so happy that idiot Blaine left me in Denver.

Chapter 5

MICAH

Iwas dead on my feet. Fuck.

Tonight’s game had been brutal, with New York shutting us out four to zip. We’d won two nights ago against New Jersey, but coming home from a three-game road trip with only two points was nothing to fucking celebrate, and the mood on the plane had been tense. Haldy had ended up going down the tunnel again halfway through the third and was looking at probably a month out of the lineup. New York had had our number tonight, and I felt like I’d left Tucks out to dry in net by not stopping that final goal.

I dropped my bag just inside the front door and toed off my shoes as I made my way down the hall to the bathroom. It was four in the morning, and I couldn’t wait to collapse in my bed. At least we didn’t have practice or anything tomorrow.

No, wait, today.

Shit, I was tired. I finished up in the bathroom, stripping down to my boxer briefs, and padded into the bedroom, not bothering to turn on any lights.

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