Page 97 of Ice Mechanic

Leaning forward, I turn up the music.

April turns it down. “Chance, you’re being weird. Do you not want to do this?”

“I do.”

“Then do you want to tell me where we’re going? Because unless there’s a new secret restaurant on this road, it seems like we’re going to the library.”

She’s so pretty even when she’s asking questions like she wants to start a fight.

“Just wait. You’ll have your answers soon.” I accelerate down the road.

Her silence turns even icier.

I wish she hadn’t flicked off the radio.

April swings her right leg over her left this time. The split inches up even further. Her perfume drowns my senses in a fruity-floral bliss.

I’m glad when the library rises in view or I would have had to stop the car, throw myself outside and take a walk.

Her eyes meet mine for a split second before darting away. “Weareat the library.”

“Come on.”

I lead her inside using the keys that I got from Ms. Glennice, the sweet, older librarian. The light flickers on and illuminates rows and rows of books shelved neatly in wooden bookcases.

The smell of air freshener and worn pages fills the air. For a small town, the library is surprisingly sizable and well-maintained.

“This way,” I say, gesturing for April to follow me.

She remains in place, her arms folded over her chest.

“Why are we here?” she demands. “Aren’t we going to show off our relationship in front of the town tonight?”

“Is that what you want to do?”

“Isn’t that whatyouwant?” she fires back.

“I want you to have a good time,” I admit. “I want to talk with you, eat with you and get to know you.”

She bristles. “Like adate-date?”

I don’t understand why she’s so mad. I thought that was obvious.

Patiently, I tell her, “Isn’t that what this is?”

She turns her face away and takes three deep breaths. When she faces me again, she looks guarded, even a little angry. “Chance, I’d appreciate if you didn’t blur the lines here.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Blur the lines?”

“Yes, you and I… we can’t ‘hang out’ just because.” She gestures between us. “We’re business partners. That’s it.”

“Business partners?”

Her chin snaps down in a sharp, decisive nod.

“Business partners can still enjoy each other’s company, April.”

“That’s not what I meant.” She frowns.

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