Page 39 of At the Edge with You

Her lips part, and I almost think she’s going to say something snarky, but the waitress interrupts us by bringing over our food and coffee. We both got a cinnamon reindeer latte, and while I ordered a pesto chicken wrap, she chose bacon-egg bites with a honey bun. She finally puts down her phone to dig in, and Iwatch as she enjoys her food. This blissful look comes over her face that I’ve only ever seen when we were skating, and it blows my mind that food is bringing her that happiness. Back then, she never enjoyed food; it was just fuel. But now, I can tell she’s enjoying it.

And I’m enjoying her.

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Fable

Leave it to Jett Cook to have me plotting his murder one second and being thankful for him being by my side the next.

Just as he did when we were kids, he stood tall and strong beside me as I entered Noelle’s. His hand on my back was a welcome gesture that I hadn’t realized I missed until I felt it against my spine. Even through the fabric of my shirt, I could feel the heat of his hand. The promise that he had me. I know he was annoyed that everyone seems to be agreeing with me on all the things I want to do, but his annoyance isn’t as apparent now that it’s just him and me. Instead, he’s playful, his eyes bright and his grin quick.

He’s a confusing one, for sure.

The walk to Noelle’s was silent, but now that Noelle has agreed to buy ad space in all four rinks, I’m giddy and want to talk. “I’m going to write a letter to send to all the businesses and ask for a moment of their time.”

While Jett threw on a shirt, much to my dismay, he is still wearing his hockey socks and shorts. His hands hang at his sides as we walk, and while he looks as if he isn’t paying attention, Iknow he is. “Sounds good. Let me know if you want me to come with you.”

I bump into him. “I thought you said you didn’t want anything to do with ad space selling.”

He shrugs. “I don’t, but we’re partners, huh?”

I nod in agreement and find myself annoyed by that word, for some reason. It’s almost as if the way he says it means that is all we’ll ever be. While I know that’s for the best, I don’t think I like it. I’m not saying I want more—I mean, I do, but putting myself out there for rejection is terrifying. Especially when I don’t really understand how my body reacts to him. I almost think it’s a trick, making me think I can be sexual, when really, I’ll get in bed, and then I’ll be planning my week instead of enjoying his body.

But as soon as I have that thought, I feel it’s untrue.

I want him.

I want to know if what I’m feeling is real, but how? We can’t even work together—how could we ever be together? Also, I’m leaving once this is over. I can’t even have relationship sex, so I don’t see how I could ever have casual.

Why does he make me think this way?

I exhale hard as my mind drifts back to how a lot of the women in Noelle’s were watching him and lusting after him. Hell, even Noelle checked him out, not that I blame her.

He is beautiful.

I lick my lips as I sigh deeply. “So, tell me the truth. Why aren’t you with anyone?”

His brows furrow. “Why are you asking that?”

“I saw how everyone was checking you out at Noelle’s.”

He scoffs. “No, they weren’t.”

“Yes, Jett. Everyone,” I tell him truthfully. “Even Noelle was.”

He lets out a loud laugh. “She may have, but she’s in love with someone else.”

Is that why he didn’t pay her any mind? “So, you’d want her?”

“No,” he answers simply. “This is all in your head.”

It may very well be, but I don’t think it is. “For real, all the women were—even some teenagers. Then they were looking at me like the shit on their shoes, trying to figure out if we were together.”

“You’re delusional,” he laughs, shaking his head. “And if they were, who cares?”

I flash him a look. “Stop deflecting. Tell me.”

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