Page 33 of Melting the Ice

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you look like a sad puppy right now.” There was too much glee in his voice.

“Fuck off. I do not.”

“So, how’s the roommate situation really going?”

“It’s fine. And she’s actively looking for jobs, so she doesn’t have to stay with me forever.”

“And why do you sound upset about that?”

“Again, fuck off. I’m not sad at all,” I bit out, knowing I didn’t sound nonchalant in any way.

“Keep telling yourself that.” Dom put his empty bottle on the bar. “All right. I’m staying for one more and then heading home to my girls. They didn’t come tonight because Livi was fussy earlier, but Ally said Livi woke up in time for my goal in the second period and cheered me on. Like the cutest little attempt at hand-clapping. Ally sent me a video.”

“Dude, you’re so far gone,” I teased.

“And loving every second of it. Okay, definitely not the blowout that had me changing my game day suit today, but everything else is amazing.”

I scrunched my nose. “Things I don’t need to know about.”

“One day, it’ll happen to you.”

“Not any time soon, thank you very much.” I took another drink from my beer and glanced over at Josie again.

She was so damn beautiful. My gut tightened, as did other parts of my body below my belt. Did I want her to succeed in every job she took on and eventually move out of my place so I could get back to my regular routine? Maybe.

Maybe not.

No. That was an insane thought. I would not survive living with Josie long term. We were too different, and I wanted her too fucking much, and I knew I could never have her. That would be a recipe for disaster, no matter how many times I thought about kissing her again. Tasting her and doing so much more.

Fuck me.

“Did you see your girl back there?” Harper asked when Dom and I walked over to the other end of the bar.

“She’s awesome and so much fun,” Cora said, grinning at me as she leaned back in Tally’s arms. “What is that shot she made us? Purple Passion? Purple something. It’s like her hair.”

Harper laughed. “Purple Haze. We haven’t even been here that long. How many did you have?”

“Hush. They were tasty. I only had two. And it’s fine because my book is with my editor. I mean, the kid one, not the adult one, so I’m enjoying extra drinks and sleeping in tomorrow,” Cora said.

“Cheers to that.” Tally kissed her cheek. “No practice tomorrow and a night off. We are absolutely doing nothing all day.”

“I’m totally up for that.” She turned her face up to his. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, and I almost felt like we should all turn away.

“Okay, great game tonight, and we’re going to get going. Cora’s tired,” Tally said.

Anna laughed. “Tired. Sure, sure.”

But Tally and Cora were saying their goodbyes as they headed out, not giving a shit if anyone teased them.

“And on that note, I’m heading home, too,” Dom said, following Tally and Cora out.

I glanced back at Josie, and she grinned at me.

An entire day in my condo with nowhere I had to be.

Fuck.

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