Page 160 of Ice Mechanic

“Thank you.” I do a little spin. Today, I felt like wearing a dress. It was long, blue, pretty and it called to me from the back of my closet.

I’ve never been the type to wear dresses but, since dating Chance, I’ve found myself gravitating to this style more. I feel a lot more girly and soft when I’m with him and my clothes are a reflection of that.

Chance waves goodbye to May and sets his hand on the small of my back. I love the warmth of his touch and I can’t help snuggling into his side as he walks me to his car.

“Are we meeting the realtor at the first house or at their office?” I ask.

“Ah-ah.” Chance corrects me when I naturally open the door for myself.

I chuckle as he pops the door with a flourish and gestures for me to slide in. I sit first and, to my surprise, Chance scoops in and gives me a quick peck on the lips.

“I couldn’t resist,” he breathes, touching my nose.

I laugh and watch him jog around to the other side of the car. It takes me a moment to realize that I haven’t wiped the smile off my face yet.

What has gotten into me?

I’ve only ever dated Evan, but if dating is like this, I can see why everyone is so obsessed with being in a relationship. I truly enjoy spending time with Chance. We text throughout the day. We date every night—either going out to eat or hanging out at the garage.

So far, I haven’t tired of his company. In fact, I crave it.

Chance clicks his seatbelt into place and starts the car. “The realtor is meeting us at his office. It shouldn’t take long to get there.”

“What exactly are you looking for?” I ask him, observing the trees that thicken along the side of the road.

He reaches for my hand. “I originally wanted a property close to you.”

I snort. “That was your main objective?”

“Yeah.” His eyes crinkle from the force of his smile. “But then I started thinking that… this could potentially beourhouse. And I thought of what you needed.”

My heart picks up speed like an over-spinning engine.

“You’d want to be closer to your dad. That’s a priority. It couldn’t be too far from the garage. May would need a room too, since she’ll want to come over all the time and it’ll be convenient if she can just sleep in her own room there. An attached garage is a must, of course. Somewhere we can store all the vintage cars I’ll buy for you and another garage where you can work on cars just for fun on the weekend.”

Shocked, I sputter, “I don’t think that house has been built yet. At least not in this town.”

“We’ll see.” He winks.

I reach for one of the fidget spinners he keeps in the center console. “Maybe… you should think about whatyouwant in the house first. Before you think about what I need.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… we just started dating. We shouldn’t rush anything.”

Immediately, the energy in the car shifts from playful to serious.

“I’m not asking you to move in tomorrow, April,” he says in a cautious way, as if any sudden movements and I’ll jump out of the car.

“I know. I wouldn’t move in tomorrow if you asked either.”

He winces and I wonder if that sounded meaner than it had in my head. Chance continues steadily, “I just want you to know that you’re in my future.”

“And I appreciate the thought. I really do, but?—”

“But you still don’t trust me,” he says flatly.

“It’s not that…”

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