Page 88 of Heart on Ice

“Last place,” Vi says as she brings us to a lingerie store. “As a new single woman in the city, you need some sexy underwear,” she tells Collette. “You need some, too. Maybe it might help you land a man,” Vi tells me. Gee, thanks. Eve tries to hide her laughter, but I shoot daggers at her instead. “Can you please try this on?” Vi asks, waving a chili pepper red lace one-piece, with a sheer robe and fluffy heels at me. “It’s simple and sexy. You need something because whatever it is you are doing is not working.”

“I look like I’m some 1950s woman about to murder her husband.” I stare at the outfit.

“At least you would have had a husband,” Vi quips. I roll my eyes and head into the change room. This is ridiculous. I look silly. I sashay out of the changing room and do a twirl.

“Are you happy now?” I say to the girls, but stop dead in my tracks. “Pierre! Felix!” I scream, not expecting them here. Felix quickly looks away, but his brother doesn’t do the same. He looks exhausted, but still so handsome. Those hazel eyes run up and down my exposed body, giving me goosebumps.

“Looking good, Issy,” he says, giving me a wink.

“Turn around,” I scream at him, which makes him laugh before I disappear into the change room. My cheeks are burning bright. Of all the people who could possibly be standing in this lingerie shop, I never thought it would be him. What the hell is he doing here? Is he back from training camp? I’m mortified. I quickly get changed and come out again.

“I’m so sorry, Issy. My brothers wanted to catch up. They just got back from training camp, and were ducking in to let us know they were here and would wait for us next door. Then you came out and …”

“I’m sorry, but that is kind of iconic you walk out just as they arrive.” Vi laughs.

“It’s all good. I’m going to leave you guys. I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one day.” I give the girls a wave and head outside.

“Issy, wait up,” Pierre calls out to me. I stop, turn around, and look up at him. “I’m sorry about that.”

“No, you’re not.”

He chuckles. “No, I’m not. You looked fucking hot.” He bites his bottom lip.

“You’re back from camp,” I say.

“Yeah, today. I wanted to catch up with Lettie to celebrate her new job. Can you believe it, all three of us at The Mavericks.” He grins, running his hands through his hair.

“We just celebrated it earlier. Vi is so happy for her to be back in the city,” I say.

“And what about you?” he asks.

“It’s great to see Collette again,” I answer.

He smiles. “I meant me being back in the city.”

Oh. “It’s good to see you, too.”

He seems shocked at my answer. “You mean that.”

“I do.” It’s the truth. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed him until now. My stomach is doing that fluttery thing.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he curses.

“Me too.” Again, he’s surprised at my candidness, and so am I. “Did you want to come over to my place for dinner tomorrow night?” I ask him.

“Yes,” he answers without hesitation, which makes me smile.

“See you around seven?”

“I’ll be there.”

“See you then,” I tell him as I walk away.

28

PIERRE

I’m freaking out. I’ve bought Issy a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of champagne, some homemade cooked meals for her, and a present. Not sure if she is cooking, but I don’t care, the fact that she is even inviting me over for dinner is good. All through training camp, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and I know my brother was the same over Harper. Walking into that lingerie shop to meet up with Collette who starts next week at the club, and seeing Issy strut out looking like a wet dream was not what I was expecting. I went back in after she left and bought the exact outfit she was wearing and have brought it here tonight with me. She could either hate it or model it for me later if the night goes well.

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