Page 77 of Secrets on Ice

It’s just a crush, nothing more, you’ll get over it. You’ve done it once, you can do it again.

19

EMBER

The three of us stumble into the apartment and drop our bags inside the door.

“Why does it feel like we’ve been gone for a month?” Cassidy asks, kicking off her shoes.

“It was five days,” Sully reminds her.

“Felt like forever. But I feel refreshed.”

I give her a knowing look, which she ignores. I look around the apartment, it’s strange how quickly this place has become home. Our shoes by the door, Cassidy’s handbag hanging from the back of a dining chair. My book sitting open on the end of the sofa. Sully’s hockey gear dumped beside the hall cupboard even though we have asked him six times to move it. It feels familiar and safe and like home. Which is something I never thought I’d say about Manhattan.

“I’m going to unpack tomorrow,” Cassidy announces, already dragging her suitcase toward her room.

“You said that when we moved in,” Sully calls after her, “and you still have boxes.”

“And eventually I’ll unpack,” she shouts back at him as she disappears into her room and closes the door, leaving Sully and me alone.

Shit.

Sully turns and looks at me, pausing for a moment. Long enough for the beach to flash through my head. His hands on my face, that mouth against mine. I can feel my cheeks burning up over the thoughts. Then he glances toward the hall.

“I’m going to hit the gym,” he states.

I blink. “Okay.” What else am I supposed to say?

He gives me a nod, grabs his suitcase, and heads toward his room without saying anything about the kiss.

Do you want him to? No, gosh no, I would die of embarrassment. The apartment falls quiet for all of about thirty seconds, then Cassidy reappears wearing an oversized T-shirt and socks, her hair piled on top of her head.

"So ..." She claps her hands together. "Thai?"

I smile. "You always want Thai."

"Because it's always good."

I nod. "I could eat."

“Good.” She grabs her phone and taps away.

I disappear into my room, throwing on a pair of leggings and one of my old college sweatshirts before tying my hair into a messy bun. By the time I wander back out, Cassidy is already stretched across the couch, scrolling through the TV channels.

"Food will be here in twenty," she tells me.

Perfect. I sink down beside her, tucking my feet underneath me. For a while, neither of us says anything as she flicks through the channels.

Cassidy glances sideways at me. "You okay?"

"Yeah, of course," I answer as panic slides over my skin. Does she suspect something?

"Liar."

"I'm just tired," I tell her.

She gives me a look. "Physically or emotionally?"