Page 86 of Hot As Ice

Once inside the dimly lit space, I sink onto a couch and put my head in my hands. Taking deep breaths, I tell myself not to even think about crying.

I don’t know how Joe got a gig tonight as a server. He would sometimes serve guests at the diner when we were swamped or short staffed but being at this prestigious event is nothing like that.

I shake my head. How he got here doesn’t matter. It only matters that he is here and he’s scaring the shit out of me. He clearly knows where I’ll be at certain times, and he knows how to infiltrate those spaces. And that is beyond terrifying.

The sane voice in my head is telling me to tell Hunter immediately or at least tell his grandfather or uncle, and I’m sure they’ll get rid of Joe right away. It’s so audacious of Joe to even be here, knowing that Hunter would surely recognize him.

Why is he so obsessed with me?

Why is he so hellbent on coming after me?

And why can’t I stand up for myself?

He asked how much I’m being paid. That’s the statement that made my stomach drop. Why would he say something like that? Because he knows that Hunter and I have an arrangement? Or just to say something misogynistic to rattle me, because he’s an asshole?

A sound at the door startles me and I look up. A man enters, silhouetted by the outside light. I can’t see his face, but I know it’s Hunter from the way he carries himself.

“What are you doing in here, princess?” The sound of his voice lowers my stress levels instantly. I stay seated, tamping down the urge to fling myself at him and cry on his shoulder.

“I just needed a moment.”

He comes over slowly and sits beside me on the couch. “Not having fun?”

“I am. Getting ready and taking photos exhausted me. It’s all a little overwhelming.”

He stretches his long legs out in front of him and puts an arm around my shoulders. I snuggle against him, exhaling.

“Yeah, it is,” he says. “I haven’t liked big events like this since I was a kid. But my mom used to let me stay in my room and watch cartoons.”

I hold myself very still. Hunter almost never mentions his mother. But of course, he must be thinking about her tonight, as his dad takes a new wife, giving Hunter a young stepmother he probably doesn’t want at all.

“I bet your mom was very sweet.”

“She was.” Hunter’s fingers are idly playing with my hair. “I miss her all the time.”

“She must’ve loved you like crazy. And you her.”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice far away.

I’m terrified to move or even breathe, lest he stop talking. Hunter is very reserved. He’s barely opened up to me about his family since we’ve met, and I haven’t pried, not because I have no interest, but rather to respect his privacy.

“She was the perfect mom,” Hunter says. “Fun. She liked taking me places with her all the time, like I was her little puppy. I felt very safe with her.”

Questions crowd my mind as I consider what I can ask or say to keep him talking.

“Where would she take you?”

“Everywhere. Charity meetings, fancy boutiques, the park, the beach, lunch dates with her socialite friends.”

“Was that fun for a little boy?”

“It was for me. I just wanted to be with her all the time.” I chance a glance at him and see a sweet, soft smile on his face. My heart clenches. I wish I could hug little Hunter.

He sighs, then looks at me, and something in his eyes shifts. He’s out of the daydream.

“Let’s go back to the party,” he says. “My dad will notice we’re missing soon, if he hasn’t already.”

“Sure.” I get up and adjust my dress. Hunter gives me his arm and I slip mine through it. As we make our way back to the party, I’m on high alert, searching for Joe, trying to convince myself to be strong and tell him to fuck off if I see him again.