Page 41 of Cold as (N)ice

He pulled back just enough to look at her. “Are you okay?”

“Just worn out.”

“I can imagine.” His voice was soft, understanding. And then—before she could process it—he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It was brief. Gentle. But it was also the first time either of them had shown anything resembling affection.

She froze, her breath catching in her throat.

“Is this okay?” he murmured, his thumb tracing a small, absentminded circle against her shoulder.

She swallowed hard and nodded, unable to form words. It should have felt strange, but it didn’t. Instead, it settled something deep inside her that had been restless for too long. She let her head rest against his chest for just a moment longer before he exhaled and finally let go.

Barrett set Stephen down carefully, shifting his attention back to him.

Sorry, buddy. You’ve grown since I saw you a few days ago.

I’m getting taller,Stephen grinned, signing back with enthusiasm.

Yes, you are,Barrett signed, nodding, his smile full of something she couldn’t quite name.It’s busy here, so let mecarry your bag and you hold Mommy’s hand when we cross the street.

Then, he turned back to her. “Gosh, I didn’t realize how much I missed you both until I saw you. Are you ready to see the house?”

Irene hesitated, shifting on her feet. “I’ve seen it on the computer screen.”

Barrett’s lips twitched in amusement. “Well, yeah…”

“But,” she interrupted before she could lose her nerve, “I can’t wait to see it in person.” She took a deep breath, then added, “Oh, and I made a doctor’s appointment so we can transfer our records, and I can get checked.”

There was no hiding away from the constant reminder that she was pregnant again – and she was starting to show. No, if things were changing, if their friendship was going to grow deeper, there had to be open honesty and truth between them. She’d been upfront regarding the baby and wanted to do so again before anything else changed between them.

Something flickered across Barrett’s face—something unspoken but deeply felt. “I hope it’s on a day I can go with you,” he said softly, holding her gaze.

His intensity made her heart stutter.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he reached out his hand.

Irene hesitated, nervous for reasons she didn’t fully understand. She handed him her bag—since he already had Stephen’s—but he simply slung it over his shoulder and held his hand out again, smiling.

She blinked.

“Ohhhh,” she let out an awkward chuckle, realizing what he meant.

With a deep breath, she placed her hand in his. His fingers curled around hers, firm and steady—a reassuring squeeze.

“Much better,” he murmured, a slow grin tugging at his lips. And then—unbelievably—he winked at her.

Her stomach flipped.

Was he… flirting with her?

Was she supposed to feel this? The nervous energy curling in her belly, the ridiculous rush of warmth spreading through her limbs—this wasn’t part of the plan. She wasn’t supposed to get butterflies over a man who was just herfriend.

But Barrett wasn’tjustanything.

She tightened her other hand around Stephen’s, stealing a glance at him. Her son was watching them closely, his bright eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite decipher. He had never been like this around Eric—never observant, never invested. But then again, Eric had nevertriedto be a father.

Barrett did.

And at that moment, as he smiled at her, his fingers laced securely with hers, Irene knew the ‘what if’ lingering in the back of her mind was no longer a question.

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