Page 16 of Secrets on Ice

“Will do,” I call out as the guys head to their rooms, Sully crashing the night in the guest bedroom. I turn to Cassidy. “One day of moping, okay. Em’s right, they do not deserve our tears.”

“I agree. So, crappy movies and ice cream?” she asks.

“Yes, of course.” We both head over to the sofa and settle in for the day.

4

EMBER

The apartment falls silent the second the front door closes behind Emmett and Sully.

Cassidy looks at me. "Couch?"

"Couch." I nod.

We grab the blankets and collapse onto opposite ends of the sofa. Cassidy grabs the remote while I disappear into the kitchen, returning with two spoons and the tub of chocolate ice cream Jo had pointed out last night. She presses play on the first romance movie Netflix throws at us. Five minutes in, the hero declares his undying love.

Cassidy throws a cushion at the television. "Bullshit."

I can't help but laugh. "They're fictional."

"So were our husbands, apparently," she mumbles.

Silence settles between us again. The movie keeps playing, but neither of us is really watching it.

My phone buzzes.

I ignore it.

A few seconds later, Cassidy's buzzes too.

Then mine again.

Then hers.

She reaches for her phone first.

"He's persistent."

"What does he want?"

She unlocks it and sighs. "'Please talk to me.'"

Another message comes through. "'I never wanted to hurt you.'"

She snorts. "Bit late for that."

My own phone lights up.

Kevin.

I stare at it for a long moment before opening it.

Kevin: Please, Em. We need to talk.

Another one.

Kevin: I know how this looks.