Page 49 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
She dialed her friend's number.
"About time," Hadley answered.
Charlotte swallowed back a sob. "Hads, princesses have no power."
A laugh burst out of Hadley. "And..."
"They do what people tell them and get locked in towers. It's me. All this time I've been fighting the name, but I really am an ice princess."
"Hun, you're not making any sense."
Charlotte sniffled. "I am making sense. It's just ridiculous sense."
"Well, why are you being ridiculous tonight?"
"Because I kissed Jesse Carrigan, and now I want to do it again."
She could practically hear the grin in Hadley's voice. "Well, why don't you?"
"Because I'm going to be stuck in a stupid tower for the rest of my life, always kept from what I want."
"Oh, Charlie. Babe, all you need is a knight to rescue you."
"Now who's being ridiculous?"
13
Jesse
"There's nothing," Jesse mumbled to himself as he shifted in his uncomfortable ice-side seat at the rink. "Absolutely nothing." He traced his finger along the line of text in the league rulebook, trying to find anything that would prevent Charlotte from joining their team for good.
He didn't know where they stood or if she'd even agree, but he had to try. Whether she wanted a repeat of the other night or not, she was good, and she deserved to know that.
He wasn't too proud to admit she might even be better than him. In fact, he knew she was.
Damien dropped onto the chair beside him. "What are you doing?"
Jesse only spared him a quick glance. "Trying to find something. Shouldn't you be in class?"
Damien shrugged. "Shouldn't you?"
Jesse skipped last period World History because he had more important things to take care of. Once school was out, the team would show up, and he'd have to lace up his skates.
"I came to talk to Coach." Damien relaxed back into his chair. Jesse didn't know him well despite the fact they'd been playing on the same line for two years.
"About?"
"I want to take Charlotte out."
Irritation flashed through Jesse. What did Damien Lee know about Charlotte? Nothing.
But was it that much less than Jesse knew?
"Don't leave me hanging, man." He stared back down at the rulebook. "What did he say?"
"Should I be offended he just kind of laughed?"
A smile spread across Jesse's face. "Probably. He knows the team wouldn't want to break his rules. He won't hesitate to kick you off if you do."
