Hot Ice by Aurora Rey

Author:Aurora Rey [Rey, Aurora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635555189
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2019-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Okay, now can we talk?” Atlanta waited for Caroline to look up from wiping down the bar top. “Did you hear me?” She slid onto a new stool closer to the middle of the bar. Todd had finally stopped talking Atlanta’s ears off and left, mumbling something about finding a Lyft on his way out. The bar had cleared out, leaving only two other customers seated at a booth far enough away that it had to be annoying for Caroline. She kept up the great service, though, and never seemed to get angry or flustered. Not even when they spilled an entire pitcher of beer. Atlanta was impressed. She would have never been good in the service industry.

“I heard you.” Caroline was washing glasses, and as hard as she tried, Atlanta couldn’t stop herself from looking straight down the light gray V-neck she was wearing. Was Caroline wearing a black bra? Atlanta, pull yourself together. Caroline finally glanced up into her eyes. “What do you want to talk about?” Restraint was a luxury she thankfully could afford, but damn, Atlanta wanted so badly to reach forward and gently brush Caroline’s bangs away from her eyes. The vodka sodas Todd had kept ordering her were not helping matters at all.

“Why you really skipped the mentoring session.”

“Sick dog. Remember?”

Atlanta watched her finish with the last few glasses, then turn the washers off and wipe her hands. “Caroline.” Atlanta took a deep breath when their eyes locked again. “Will it help at all if I apologize?”

“No. Not really.” Caroline’s answer was so matter-of-fact it caused Atlanta’s breath to snag in her throat. She watched Caroline’s facial expression, watched as she finally moved her bangs from her eyes with the back of her hand, watched the way she steadied herself with the sturdiness of the bar top. All Atlanta wanted to do was crash through the brick wall she’d made Caroline build, but so far, there wasn’t even a crack in the mortar. Caroline shrugged. “Four more weeks and you never have to deal with my horrible sentence construction again.”

The thought those words provoked made Atlanta’s hands ache. “Is that really what you think I think?”

Caroline let out a puff of air. “I’m cutting you off.” Caroline reached for the almost empty glass. Atlanta took a huge risk by gently laying her hand on Caroline’s forearm. Caroline’s eyes moved up to Atlanta. She looked shocked, maybe a little scared, and right below the surface was something else entirely.

“Come to a session tomorrow.” She studied Caroline. Was she considering a response? Or was she going to bat away the olive branch? Caroline blinked, swallowed once. She didn’t break eye contact, which calmed Atlanta’s nerves somewhat. “I have an opening at ten.” She loosened her grip, but Caroline still stood frozen. “I would really like it if you gave me another chance.” Her entire body filled with heat, leaving her cheeks on fire. Oh God, please don’t let my nervous splotches appear.

“Thanks, but…” Caroline paused.

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