Page 55 of Ice Mechanic

Usually, there are tables set up all over the room for residents to use their coloring books, knit or play bingo. Today, the tables are pushed against the wall and there are several rows of chairs facing a small, raised platform.

My gaze is immediately drawn to Chance and it’s not only because he’s dazzling in a button-down shirt that matches his screaming blue eyes.

Photographers surround the stage, snapping pictures of him as he hands out some kind of plastic-wrapped gift.

“Thank you so much,” an unfamiliar man dressed in a flashy suit and a jewel-studded watch gestures for a grandmother to step off the stage. “Next!”

I ease into a chair at the back of the row, my eyes drifting from Chance to the banners on either side of the stage. They’re images of a man with silver hair wearing nothing but Photoshopped abs and tidy-whities.

The labelFreshButtFittis plastered over the banner.

I gasp when my eyes return to center stage and I see Chance handing over a package of boxer briefs to myfather.

“FrsehButtFitt is the brand for silver foxes like you.” He winks. “Enjoy, my friend.”

My father grins and hugs the boxers to his chest, skipping down the stairs like he won the last round of Bingo.

I gasp, covering my face with my hands. I’m not sure if Chance hears my gasp or if he just happens to look my way, but his eyes collide with mine. They widen in shock, allowing me to see the dazzling blue even from this distance.

“Chance? Chance?” The flashy suit guy gets Chance’s attention. He does a distracted head shake, glancing at me once more before continuing to hand out the underwear.

My face is red. I canfeelthe heat cross my cheeks and down to my chest.

Fighting to act normal, I weave past the rows of chairs and stoop next to my father.

“Hey,” I whisper.

His eyes dart to me and back to his gift.

“How are you?”

“Look what I got?” He shows me the boxers.

I laugh at his delighted expression. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him smile like that. Usually, he’s grumbling about the food they serve or the fact that someone took his keys and he can’t find his car.

“That’s great.” I smile back at him.

“April?” A woman dressed in a teal blue nursing uniform touches my shoulder. “Miss Tina from admin is looking for you.”

My smile shatters and I straighten immediately. Of course, the office is looking for me. I’m behind in my payments.

Unease swirling in my heart, I turn to dad. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

Dad doesn’t answer.

I follow the nurse, dipping and weaving through the residents who all smile and call me by name.

“April, you’ll play a round of Bingo with us later, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say.

“April, my dahlia’s bloomed. I’ll take you to see them.”

“I’ll go as soon as I’m finished,” I promise.

As I move, I can feel Chance’s eyes on me, but I refuse to acknowledge him. I’m afraid if he looks at me, he’ll be able to read my mind and know my financial struggles.

When we get into the hallway and are free from prying eyes, I ask the nurse, “How has dad been? Is he eating better now?”

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