Page 41 of Ice Mechanic

I release a high-pitched giggle, playing it up in front of Evan. “Stop it.”

Chance grins, his eyes twinkling. “I’m being honest.”

There’s a note of earnestness in his voice that takes me by surprise. Wow. He reallydoessound like he’s being honest.

In the moment, it becomes abundantly clear that Chance is a much better actor than I am.

My competitive juices start pumping. I’ve never been one to lose.

At anything.

“Babe, you’re embarrassing me.” I laugh again and brush my hand over his knuckles, sliding my index finger in and out of the hills and valleys.

Chance burrows his nose in my neck, making me giggle. “Ready to get out of here?”

“First, I have something to give you,” I say, tapping his hand.

Chance’s eyes make a quick beeline to Evan before he loosens his grip at my waist. Released from his back-hug, I turn fully to face him and rise on my tiptoes. My lips descend on his smooth-shaven cheek, pressing firmly.

A buzz starts in my chest as I feel his cheek beneath my mouth. Goodness, how can a man as masculine as Chance have such scrumptious skin?

I pull back quickly.

Chance’s mouth falls open and he looks down at me in a daze.

“I thought you might need a good luck kiss before the conference,” I explain, flashing a nervous smile.

A bird caws overhead, staring down at our frozen trio.

Chance has stopped breathing.

Evan is glaring.

I’m sweating because I have no idea what to do now.

The silence lengthens.

Pushing Chance forward, I grunt, “We should go or you’ll be late for the conference.”

Evan’s scowl gets darker, but he doesn’t stop us from leaving. Probably because it was easier to manhandle me than it would be to manhandle Chance.

As we move, Chance shakes his head and seems to come alive.

“Tink, let me drive you over.”

“Wait,” I tug on his hand when we pass my car, “I drove here.”

He glances over his shoulder and notices Evan is still watching.

“Come with me,” Chance says firmly.

He opens the car door for me and I slip inside, melting into the buttery, leather seats. The car still has that minty, fresh-off-the-lot smell mixed with the scent of Chance’s cologne. I take a deep, intoxicating breath and then release all the painful memories Evan stirred up in me.

“Are you okay?” Chance asks, his blue eyes darkening with concern.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

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