Page 150 of Ice Mechanic

Angry words froth at the tip of my tongue, but I don’t release them. I wasn’t raised to disrespect my mother, and I refuse to lift my voice at a woman no matter the reason. Also, the conversation we need to have about her inviting Fina can wait. This is neither the time nor place for it.

“I’m okay,” I tell her flatly.

Her eyebrows hike and she looks dumbfounded.

I pull April along, throwing the doors of the ballroom open and heading down the hallway. Soon, I feel a little tug. April is trying to free herself from my grip.

“Chance, slow down. Where are you going?”

Forcing myself to ease the pace, I tell her, “I didn’t know Fina was going to be here.”

April’s thick eyelashes bounce up and down. She shakes her head as if I’m not making sense. “Chance, your shirt is soaking wet. At least take your mom’s advice and change into something dry.”

“It’s fine.” I’ve endured worse than this. Sweating profusely on an ice-cold rink is a hazard of the trade. I can survive a little champagne on my shirt.

“You’re so stubborn,” April mumbles. Her energy shifts from befuddled to emboldened. She quickens her pace and leads me to the elevators. When the doors open, she taps the button for the upper floor.

The doors remain open.

April taps again. “Why isn’t it closing?”

“You can’t go to the hotel suites without a room card.” And since I didn’t take the card from mom, the only place we can go is down to the basement parking lot or lobby.

“Oh.” April makes an embarrassed little sound and flicks mom’s keycard against the slot.

Immediately, the doors beep and slide closed.

I frown at her. “When did you get that?”

“While you were dragging me away like a caveman. I accepted it on your behalf.”

I sigh heavily. “April?—”

“Chance, I’m not going to repeat myself. You’re changing into dry clothes. Whether or not we return to the party is up to you, but that part is non-negotiable.”

I study her as the numbers on the elevator panel get higher and higher.

“What?” April asks, brushing her hair back.

“Aren’t you angry?”

Her eyes flick to me. “Angry?”

“Yeah. About Fina.”

She scrunches her nose as if the thought had never occurred to her and my heart releases a breath so heavy it rattles my ribs and lungs.

“Why would I be angry about Fina?” Understanding dawns and she pokes her finger in my chest. “Is that why you were so weird with your mom? You think I’m upset that Fina is here?”

I wrap my hand around the finger poking my tux. “Trust is hard to earn but easy to lose. My dad taught me that.” I shrug. “Well, it was his advice for networking in business, but it applies to relationships too.” Dropping my tone to an earnest husk, I explain, “Earning your trust was so difficult, April. I won’t do anything to make you doubt me. And I won’t tolerate anyone who tries to attack the trust I earned.”

April tosses my hand off and folds her arms over her chest, but her stern frown thaws a little.

The doors open and she stalks out first.

I follow her, trying to figure out how to get out of the doghouse. On the one hand, I’m thrilled that April seems unaffected by Fina’s appearance tonight. On the other hand, it seems like I might have overreacted, thereby extinguishing the very flame I was trying to protect.

April presses the room key to the door and it opens with a beep. Once inside, she slides the plastic in the cradle behind the door and the lights click on, brightening the dark room.

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