Page 106 of Ice Mechanic

“An outdoor picnic is a budget-friendly idea.” She glances around. “But I’m almost afraid to ask what you spent on all this.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.” She frowns. “You even hired someone to decorate.”

“That’s a given. I don’t waste time doing things I’m not good at. And decorating… is not a skill of mine.”

“Chance…”

“April, the last thing you and I need to talk about right now is money.” I give her a knowing look. “Not when there are more pressing topics.”

“Like what?” She licks one side of the Oreo biscuit.

I track the motion. Reaching over to steal an Oreo from the package, I say, “That kiss, for instance.”

I’m smug about it, expecting April to choke on her Oreo in response.

But instead, she turns to me, blinks frankly, and says, “Which one?”

And suddenly, I’ve got an Oreo stuck inmythroat and it’s April who has to find me a bottle of water. I accept it and chug thirstily.

She hovers over me. “Are you okay? I don’t know CPR, so if you’re not, I’ll have to call an ambulance.”

I massage my throat. After croaking out a weak ‘I’m okay’, I crawl over to where she’d been sitting and lean against the baskets. April gauges my position and sits on the opposite end of the gazebo.

To be fair, it could be because she wants to be closer to the Oreos.

But I think she’s just avoiding me.

“This entire idea was beautiful, Chance. And this book is…” She blows out a breath. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

Instantly, I brace myself for words I won’t like to hear. April’s somber tone is the exact one my general manager used when he let me go from the team.

“But,” April’s fingers tug at the bristles of the rug, “but I?—”

“You don’t trust me.”

She swallows and ducks her head. “That’s not it.”

I set down my bottle of water and close the distance between us. Gently, I take her hand and say, “I respect that you don’t feel the same way and I won’t force you to change your mind.”

Her eyes flit to me, full of relief.

“But,” I add and now I seeherbracing herself, “I’m an athlete and there’s not much anyone can do to stop me when I put my mind to something.”

“And what exactly have you set your mind to do?” She scrunches her nose, probably imagining the worst.

I rub my thumb over her knuckles. “You’ll see.”

“Chance…” She groans.

I release her hand and climb to my feet. From this vantage, she looks so small and fragile that I want to scoop her into my pocket and protect her with my life.

“I’ll take you home so you can read that in peace.” I point to the book.

She chews on her bottom lip.

“Or we can stay here and follow my original plan—me feeding you strawberries while you sit on my lap and read.”

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