Page 59 of Breaking the Ice

“What?” he demanded, his voice ragged as he tried to collect himself.

“The elevator should be going any minute now.”

The voice was the same as before. Male. Older. “Oh… great… thanks.”

“And just so you know, should you and the young lady decide to pick up where you left off, the elevator has security cameras.”

Nick looked above his head and saw a partially hidden camera. Well,fuck.He hadn’t even thought about cameras. The last thing he’d wanted was to put on some OnlyFans show for abunch of bored security guys. Or worse, have footage going viral of Hawkeye andan unknown womangetting it on in a broken-down elevator.

He waved at the camera. “Thanks for the warning.”

“Can’t be too careful, sir. I think the NHL can do without another sex tape incident.”

Nick gave a half laugh, remembering the scandal from the start of the last season that had sucked up way too much airtime. “Thanks again.”

By the time he replaced the phone, Samantha was on her feet, busying herself with collecting her bag and replacing the books and the elevator had whirred into action. Five floors later it touched down and the door dinged then slipped open.

“Can we never talk about this again?” she asked as they pushed their carts out.

Right now, as Nick tried to wrap his head around the startling speed of what had happened, it didn’t seem like such a bad suggestion. “Sure… okay. What happens in the elevator stays in the elevator.”

“Plan,” she agreed.

And that was that.

20

“Happy Birthday, Sam.”

“Woohoo! Lucky me. My eggs are one year older today.” When had birthdays become so depressing?

“Oh come on. Cheer up. They’re only a day older and you know it.”

“One day older, one notch louder.”

“So… what are your plans?”

“Go to work. Have a night in with Godzilla. Eat Lean Cuisine.”

“Samantha! That’s terrible. It’s your birthday. Go out and celebrate.”

“Alright, I’ll have a packet of Oreos as well.”

“I bet Nick would help you celebrate.”

“Nick doesn’t know.”

“What? You have to tell him.”

“Right! Like I need his pity too.”

“Just say, hey Nick, it’s my birthday, wanna eat some cake with me?”

“Forget it.”

“Okay, how about – Nick you big stud, it’s my birthday, take me to bed or lose me forever.”

Samantha laughed despite her gloom. “You’re incorrigible.”

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