Page 23 of Ice King

“Wow. This is unique.”

Roxanne waved to one of the guys behind the counter before finding a booth near the back. With dark paneling and artistic, almost Tiffany-style swinging lamps, the low-level lighting added a cozy ambience. There was even a fireplace in the corner and in my mind, I envisioned what being here would be like around the holidays.

Maybe a place like this would abate the loneliness that I’d already started to feel.

“Roxy. Nice to see you. Who’s your friend?” The guy was tall and rugged looking with a cropped beard and eyes that were not only shimmering in the warm lighting but were only meant for her.

I bit my lower lip to try to keep from reacting. Sadly, I could sense she didn’t want to have anything to do with him and his puppy love could potentially get on her nerves. “Georgia Wallace, Seattle Wild’s latest massage therapist.”

“Oh, fabulous. Maybe you can work on their issues with highly toxic testosterone.”

“Jake. Be nice in front of our new townie. She doesn’t know about us yet and I don’t want to scare her off right away.”

He lifted his head, studying me briefly yet long enough I could easily tell he’d read me like a book. I wasn’t certain whether to be impressed or annoyed. When he smiled, the action lit up his face. “Welcome to North Bend. In honor of our newest resident, the first round is on me and I’ll whip up something in the kitchen just for you ladies. Now, what would you like to drink? We are the town’s best microbrewery.”

“You’re theonlymicrobrewery,” Roxanne corrected.

“Shush. As you said, she doesn’t know us yet.”

“That’s very kind of you and I’m glad to be here,” I told him. So far, everyone I’d met had been very nice. Well, with one exception. However, the Wolfman wasn’t going to get under my skin. “You wouldn’t by chance be able to make a top shelf margarita on the rocks but made with fresh limes. Would you?”

He leaned over, placing his hands on the table. The man was huge. “A lady of discerning tastes. For you, comin’ right up. Your usual, Roxy?”

“No. I think I’ll have what my new friend is having.” Seeing the sassy look she was giving Jake, I had a feeling she and I were cut from the same cloth. How refreshing. And I wouldn’t need to worry about my friendship, including staying out late.

“Excellent choice.”

As soon as he walked away, she tossed her purse from her lap to the end of the bench. “That man is…”

“Pretty sexy,” I finished for her.

“He’s not so bad. He’s just somewhat infuriating. You know the type who refuses to take no for an answer. But don’t get me wrong; there isn’t a bad bone in his sexy body, but he’s just not for me. A shame too since he owns a great business, comes from a wonderful family, and owns a gorgeous house just outside of town.”

“Hmm… Are you sure you’re not interested? That was a glowing resume.”

Her grin was full of mischief. “We went down that road once. Let’s just say it didn’t work out too well. We’re better as friends. But if you’d like to know more about him…” Her look turned positively evil with me on the receiving end.

“Uh, no. I’ve sworn off men for a very long time.”

“Bad breakup?”

“You could say that.” My tone changed and Roxanne was intuitive enough to pick up on it.

“I don’t know what really happened with you because my father made some promise he wouldn’t break a trust. He just mentioned you needed a fresh start and he was happy to be ableto help. So you don’t need to worry, but I will tell you that if you want to share anything, I’m known for being a pretty good listener.”

“I might take you up on that. I’m just… careful and nothing against you.”

She threw up her hand. “Honestly, no offense. I can tell you that almost everyone in this town comes from decent people. There are a few yokels that I’ll steer you away from, but mostly it’s salt of the earth people.”

“Okay, now I need to ask you a question. What is it with all the girls hanging around outside the arena? I was almost knocked over when I left.”

Roxanne rolled her eyes. “Oh, that. They’re puck bunnies.”

“That’s what Ford called me when we first met.”

“Ouch. They’re women who fawn over hockey players. Every sport has them but there’s something very… let’s just say special about puck bunnies and the guys love them.”

“Including Ford?”