Page 183 of Ice Darling
Miss Potts continues earnestly. “Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe you weren’t interested before, but I’m making it clear now. I have feelings for you, Renthrow. Deep feelings.”
“I’m sorry?—”
“Before you answer, justthinkabout it. We’ve known each other for so long. I’m a much better fit for you and Gordie than that mechanic.”
Annoyance hits my veins. “I don’t need to think about it. I’m not interested in you, Miss Potts. I apologize again if I ledyou on in any way, but I hope we can continue being friends and that you’ll continue to look out for Gordie.” I turn to the playground, done with the conversation. “Gordie!” I wave to get my daughter’s attention.
She hops off the swings and runs over.
Miss Potts is trembling. “Do you even know what kind of person she is?”
“Are you talking about Cordelia?” My voice is sharp, cutting.
“I looked her up. She’s a total whack job.”
“Don’t call her that,” I growl.
“Her past employees said she was cold and mean. They said she was like a zombie who didn’t care about anyone.”
“Jealous people will say anything.”
“She didn’t even care to go to her own twin sister’s funeral.”
That stops me in my tracks.Sister? Cordelia has a twin?
A conversation Cordelia and I had back before we started dating slips through my mind.
“Who’s Gwen?”
“I don’t want to talk about her.”Cordelia had spoken sharply, and I’d backed off.
“Does that sound like a normal person?” Miss Potts shrieks.
“Daddy?” Gordie slips her hand through mine.
Nostrils flaring, I heft Gordie into my arms and turn away from Miss Potts. “I hope you haven’t been repeating that garbage to anyone in town.”
“Viking—”
“Miss Potts,” I say in a clipped voice, “please don’t cross the line again. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
“Bye, Miss Potts!” Gordie waves cutely, oblivious to the tension.
I settle her in the backseat and drive off. My fingers tighten on the steering wheel, and my mind shifts with all the different puzzle pieces.
Cordelia has a twin sister who passed away. Could that be why, at random moments, she gets that sad, broken look on her face? Is it also what caused her and her mom to be at odds?
“Daddy, can we go see Delia?” Gordie asks, turning her toy motorcycle around and around in her hands.
“Not yet, pumpkin.”
“Then when?”
I inhale deeply, thinking of what Chance and Gunner warned me about.
If she means something to you, if she’s worth it, then fight.
“Daddy, when can I see Delia?” Gordie whines.
