Page 128 of Ice Mechanic

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

APRIL

Watchingthat video of Chance proudly declaring his feelings for me to the entire world cracked my heart in half.

No, it’s more accurate to say that it cracked the protective chasm around my heart.

And now my heart is beating, open and vulnerable to the elements.

Beautiful. He called me beautiful in front of the entire world.

“April, are you wheezing?” May squeezes my shoulder. “Do you need to sit?”

“I’m fine,” I breathe.

Rebel peers at me with eyes that can see right through me. “Did it change something? His speech, I mean?”

Admitting that it did would make me a hypocrite. I’m well aware. A few seconds ago, I’d been very firm about how broken, insecure, and unsure I was about a relationship with him.

One love confession from Chance later and I’m still all those things but, somehow, they don’t seem to matter.

“Can you handle the afternoon clients for me?” I ask Rebel in a daze.

“Of course.”

Without another word, I grab my phone and purse and take off running.

“Is she doing it? Is she finally getting out of her own way?” May asks Rebel in excitement.

I don’t hear my best friend’s response, but I’m pretty sure she’s smiling.

Sunshine bounces against my straight hair, leaving its heated fingers on my shoulders and cheeks. The grass is withering from the humidity, and yet the heat of the day isnothingcompared to the burning meteor that tore a hole through my chest.

It’s her and no one else, he’d said with a sure look in his eyes.Sosure. How can Chance be so certain when life is so unpredictable?

It’s total and utterfoolishnessto believe that two people can be faithful to, serve, honor, and protect each other for the long term. It’s even more insane to believe that two people can actually likeandenjoy each other’s company for decades.

And yet, I think… with Chance…

Every cell, every fiber, every bone in my body longs to believe that it’s possible if it’s with him.

The drive to the airport feels like it takes hours. Chance isn’t picking up the phone and I’m slightly panicking as I rush to a customer service desk.

“How can I help you?” the perfectly dressed woman in the tailored suit asks.

I lick my lips. “Can I… I’d like to buy a ticket? Can I do that here? Or…” I fumble with my phone and it almost crashes to the ground. “Do I need to buy a ticket online?”

She looks me up and down. “Yes, you can purchase a ticket here.”

“Great.” I sigh in relief.

“By the way, you look familiar.” She taps a manicured nail on her chin. Her eyes rove my dirty mechanic jumper, my wind-torn hair and makeup less face. “Are you that mechanic? The one who’s dating Chance McLanely, the hockey player?”

I smile in discomfort.

“Oh my goodness.” Her eyes do another slow rove. Her nose turns up in distaste. “Wow… you reallyarea mechanic, aren’t you?”

---