Page 42 of Ice Cold Rival

Silence for a second, then a scratching noise as she took notes. “It could work,” she mused. “You have your father’s charm.”

Gram wasn’t wrong. Dad could sell anything, when he put in actual effort. Which was almost never. Everyone said I took after him, but the last thing I wanted was to become my father.

My voice hardened. “This is my final offer. Take it or have dinner on your own.”

She gave a satisfied hum. “You’ll make a strong asset to the company. We have a deal. I’ll have Hannah send you the information. Make sure your girlfriend is prepared. If she becomes a hindrance, Iwillhave her removed.”

Gram hung up before I could respond. No sappy declarations of love for her. Was it any wonder my attitude toward relationships was fucked? Mom believed in protecting herself by staying single, Dad wanted to try every dish at the buffet, and Gram used relationships to further her own goals.

Here I was doing all three.

I opened my eyes to stare at the ceiling. There had to be a better way.

A giggle drifted down the stairs, reminding me I wasn’t alone in the house. I could invade Cole’s private time, go downstairs to harass Mase, or find another option. Briefly, I considered duck-napping Sunny and taking her for a joyride, but Mase had made his opinion clear after the last time I’d taken her to the duck pond behind our house.

No more field trips.

I should go find Kenzie.

The thought came out of nowhere—or maybe from deep inside me where I buried it earlier during the game. I could convince her to go for a joyride, maybe check off another item on her list, maybe get her to stay the night in my big bed.

No. I wasn’t going to use her to cure my restlessness. Better for her to stay out of my arm’s reach tonight, but I could still text her. I owed her an apology anyway—and I needed to ask her a favor.

It hadn’t occurred to me she might not want to go on a quasi-date with my grandmother and her potential business partners, but I knew what motivated her. Queso and spite.

The thought brought me out of my anxiety spiral and made me smile. She’d get plenty of spite if she came with me, and I could promise queso after since Gram would no doubt pick a fancy restaurant with tiny portions and no flavor.

Me: You up?

She didn’t answer right away, and the disappointment made me reconsider my options. I could go by her place and tap on her window. It gave stalker vibes, but she might find it cute. She also might call the cops.

Right as I started wondering how I’d find her window, my phone buzzed.

Wifey: Yeah, sorry. Showering.

My mind ran with the image, picturing her naked with water streaking down her soft skin. I was instantly hard as a rock and grateful I hadn’t driven over there. No good came from peeping naked sorority girls through their windows. That path led directly to jail time.

Me: I’m sorry about earlier, after the game. I didn’t realize you’d be waiting.

Wifey: Not a big deal, but thank you for your apology.

The curt response wasn’t setting my hopes too high.

Me: It won’t happen again.

Wifey: I’ll hold you to that.

Me: Did you have fun at least?

Wifey: Yeah, it was fun. Avery is a little scary, but Marco is hilarious.

Me: I have a favor to ask.

Wifey: I’m not sending you nudes.

Me: Not what I had in mind, but not a bad idea. I need you to come with me to Dallas for dinner with my grandmother and two of her potential business partners.

Wifey: When?

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