Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

“He’s not,” I say simply, lacing my fingers together as I rest my elbows on the counter. “You okay?”

She looks at the iPad, and while I know I haven’t seen her in years, I can tell something is wrong. She inhales deeply and lets it out as a heavy sigh. “Just a rough day.”

“Any way I can make it better?”

She shakes her head, her eyes on the iPad. “Nope. I really didn’t think you’d come in.”

“Why?”

“Why would you?”

“’Cause I wanted to see you,” I say, and she looks up. “Remember? I need my cup of joe and my shot of the most gorgeous girl in the world.”

She doesn’t want to smile, I can see her struggle, but her lips curve a bit. “I didn’t think you meant it.”

I draw in my brows. “One thing about me, Am, is I mean what I say.”

Our gazes stay locked, and I swear, staring into her blue eyes is like staring up at the most magnificent clear-sky day. The kind where there’s a nice breeze and birds are chirping. The sun kisses your skin, and you just feel good. She makes me feel good.

I clear my throat, and she immediately looks away again. Moment over. “So, you look real pretty today. I like that dress.”

She’s fighting her grin. “Thanks. I didn’t want to put on pants.”

I chuckle. “That’s totally legit.”

She looks up at me through her lashes as she moves to the coffee machine. “Do you have practice today?”

“On my way there.”

“Nice.”

“Yeah. If you’d like, I can get you some tickets. Come as my guest.”

She shrugs as she sets a paper cup of coffee in front of me. The back of her hand brushes mine, and she quickly tucks it into her apron. “I’m really busy.”

“You love hockey. You can make time.”

She bites her lip. “Yeah…I don’t know.”

“I just want to hang out. Catch up. We can be friends, Amelia,” I say, but even I know that’s not true. I want more. What more, I have no clue, but I have to know this girl. I lost the chance so long ago, and I want it back now.

Her lips quirk as she sets another cup in front of me before she gets a Danish out of the case. “Maybe.”

“So, you won’t go out with me tonight?”

She shakes her head. “I’m actually doing inventory tonight.”

I eye her. “I think you might be lying to me.”

“Maybe.”

When she licks her lips, I smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I grab my coffee and then Nico’s, but as I turn, she says, “I like your tattoos.” I look over my shoulder at her, and she shrugs, indifferent. “And the beard suits you.”

My heart races in my chest as a slow grin spreads over my lips. “I’m supposed to shave today, but I might not now.”

She scrunches up her face. “Why?”

“’Cause you like it.” She narrows her eyes, and I tip my chin up at her. “Hope your day gets better.”

When she doesn’t say anything, I join Nico at the door and walk out as he shakes his head. “Totally wasting your time.”

“Nope, she’s worth every second.”

He takes his stuff, unconvinced, just as my phone rings. I reach into my pocket, and a bigger grin covers my face when I see who it is. “Ryan Justice, this must be important if you’re calling me.”

My best friend laughs. “I call you.”

“Rarely. Too obsessed with your girl.”

“Hey, just ’cause you married a crazy one doesn’t mean it isn’t okay to be obsessed with a good one.” I look back at Perk Me Up, and I find Amelia still watching me. Her hip is propped against the counter as she chews on the end of a pen. When she notices that I see her, she looks away. I smile. Ryan isn’t wrong.

“I hear you. What’s up?” I ask as I get into my truck, starting it up. I glance over at Nico, and he’s already inhaled his Danish. That thing had no chance at all.

“Listen, I need a best friend favor.”

I perk my brow as I drive off. “That sounds serious.”

“Yeah, so, my sister is in Molten. Over on Beach Haven. I think maybe down the street from you.”

I blink, unsure where this is going. “Oh?” I feign surprise.

“Yeah, you remember Amelia, don’t you?”

How could I forget her? “Yeah.”

“We have a bit of family drama going on, and I just need to know she’s okay. I don’t know where she is working, but I’m going to—”

“Actually, I just saw her,” I say, and I brace for impact.

“Where?”

“At a coffee shop. Perk Me Up.”

I’m met with silence before he lets out a long sigh. “Hm, that’s odd.”

“She seems to like it.”

“Does she look okay?”

Beautiful. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Okay, that’s good. Listen, do me a favor. Keep an eye on her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. You two were cool. Get her to hang out, make sure she is okay. I’m worried she’s up to something she shouldn’t be, and I don’t like that she won’t come home.”