Page 143 of Ice Mechanic

April stuffs the complimentary blanket, slippers, and water into her backpack as she says, “The next time I fly, I’ll be in economy and it’ll be even worse because now I’llknowhow first class flying feels.”

I maneuver the suitcases with one hand and capture hers with the other. “Stick with me, and you’ll always fly in comfort, Brooks.”

“Sounds like you’re bribing me to date you,” she says.

“Hey, whatever works.”

“I’m not with you for your money, Chance.”

Her tone is so fierce that I squeeze her hand. As I’m about to assure her that I was just joking, a teenager dressed in a loose shirt and khakis rushes up to me.

“Hey, Chance. I’m a big fan. Do you mind if I take a picture?”

I shoot April a worried look. She’d been concerned about being photographed and I’d assured her that I was rarely approached in the airport. In such a crowded space with people constantly on the move, everyone tends to mind their own business.

I take a step back. “I’d love to, but my girlfriend and I just got off a flight…”

A soft touch on my hand stops me. April juts her chin subtly forward, giving her consent.

We take the picture and I reach for April’s hand again when another group comes up to me. What was a two-minute request from one fan, turns into a two-hour stream of photo-taking for me.

By the time the crowd dissipates and I come up for air, I’ve lost track of April.

I swivel around frantically until I locate her a few feet away.

She’s sitting in one of the waiting chairs. The giant, floor-to-ceiling windows pour buckets of sunshine over her, giving her hair a golden halo. She purses her lips in concentration while reading. Slender fingers slide between the pages of the book I’d purchased for her at the bookstore.

I lift my phone and snap a picture. As if she heard the silent click, April’s head whips up and she takes me in. Her green eyes soften.

“You coming or going?” I ask.

“Huh?”

I take the seat beside her, wedging my large arms against hers. “If we’re heading in the same direction, I’d love to take you to dinner.”

Clarity flashes through her emerald-green gaze and she prissily turns her nose up. “I have a boyfriend.”

“Man.” I sigh in defeat. “Lucky guy.”

April laughs and it’s so pretty that I snap another photo.

She tugs the sleeve of my T-shirt in an effort to claim my phone. “Delete that. I look awful.”

“You look like sunshine.” I turn and show her the photo of her laughing face. “No matter how harsh winter gets, I can look at this picture and it’ll take me to a warm summer day.”

She ducks her head into my shirt and groans. “Don’t tell me you write poetry too.”

“I don’t, but I might start now.” I rub a hand down her hair. “I’ve found my muse.”

April looks up, but her pale fingers are still entwined in the collar of my outer shirt. “You’re such a flirt.”

“Only with you, Tink.”

Her eyes scan beyond me. “Is anyone looking at us like they want to secretly come over and ask for a picture?”

“No.” I check the airport waiting area. “I don’t know what happened today. People usually don’t recognize me at?—”

April leans into me, covers my mouth with hers and gives me the longest, sweetest kiss she can manage. It comes to an end only when she runs out of breath and I’m seeing black spots in front of my eyes.

---