Page 19 of Breaking the Ice

“They are friends from my vocal pedagogy class, and they are in the fall play with me,” I say.

“Yeah, how are rehearsals going?” Evan asks, tossing his hair out of his eyes. Why does that move make my stomach flip? I must be hungry. “Do you need a scene partner again?”

Ariana stiffens next to me, and Vanessa’s eyes go wide. I’m saved from explaining or answering by the barista, calling my name. I grab my mocha, then wave at Evan.

“Good seeing you. Text me and we can figure out our next study session, okay?”

“Sounds great. Bye, Bella, and Bella’s friends.”

I herd Vanessa and Ariana away from him, as they pepper me with questions, talking over each other rapid fire-style.

“How do you know him? Are you dating? Did you see the way he looked at you? God, I want someone to look at me like that.”

“Whoa, girls, calm down,” I tell them, snagging us a table on the other side of the room from Evan. Can he hear them? Mortification rises in my chest. “We’re in a class together. I’m his tutor. That’s it.”

“Are you sure?” Ariana asks. “Because he’s not looking at you like you’re just a tutor.”

“How’s he looking at me?” I ask, before I think the question through.

“Like you’re a delicious meal he wants to devour,” Vanessa says, and I blink. Based on the innocent, far-away look in her dreamy blue eyes most of the time, I didn’t expect that from her. “Sorry, but it’s true.” She giggles, then drops her voice. “One of my suite-mates slept with him last year, and she’s still talking about it. It was, like, a religious experience. Amazing. Life-changing. So I say, go for it, girl.”

A mix of envy and arousal churns in my stomach at the thought. I don’t know what to say to that, but I’ve gotta put a stop to this conversation. “Well, that’s nice, but it doesn’t matter. He’s a hockey player and totally off-limits.”

“Why?” Ariana narrows her eyes at me. “What’s the big deal with that?”

I shift in my hard, wooden chair, staring at the white lid of my coffee cup. “My dad is the coach. Here. Of the hockey team.”

Not to mention that Evan is totally not my type. He’s not as irresponsible as I first thought, sure, but I need someone who is serious. About something more than a pointless game with pucks and sticks. And sleeping around with half the girls on campus.

“Oh.” Vanessa taps her fingers on the table. “That does complicate things.”

“No, it doesn’t. There’s nothing to complicate.”

“If you say so,” Ariana singsongs, and I glare at her.

They are sweet, but they don’t get it. Nothing will ever happen between Evan and I. He’s off-limits in every way. The stupid flips my belly makes at his proximity mean nothing.

Chapter

Nine

ISABELLA

Isabella: Ugh, I hate to ask you this…

Evan: What’s up?

Isabella: Ariana and Vanessa were supposed to meet me to rehearse tonight. And they can’t make it.

Evan: Wait.

Evan: Are you asking me instead?

Evan: I knew you thought I was a great scene partner!

Isabella: Shut up already. Can you run lines with me again?

Evan: It would be my pleasure, m’lady.