AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her response was defensive. Whether she admitted it or not, she had feelings for Stone I didn’t want to step on. The one thing I wouldnotdo was hurt Muriella to get Daniel back. “I’m not doing it. We’ll figure out another way—”
“Hush.” She put her index finger over my lips. “It’s not a real date. And it was my idea. I’d rather you be with him for the night than someone else.”
“M…” Sometimes I just didn’t think. “Stone doesn’t want anyone else but you.”
“Even if he did, I have no right to be upset.” But she would be. I could see it on that gorgeous face.
“What about the dates you agreed to?”
She pursed her lips. “I said I’d go.”
Stone reappeared. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” we answered simultaneously.
He arched a disbelieving brow but let it go as we left for church.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vivian
Eight Years Earlier
Talking was supposedto eliminate the barriers between us, but instead it had erected a wall. Daniel had been silent through breakfast and didn’t speak on the short drive into Queenstown. Apparently sleeping on something to cool down wasn’t a trick in his arsenal. He was still pissed off. Underneath all that anger at his father was an overwhelming hurt I wanted to take away. I felt hurt by my parents too, but I knew that comparing our situations was like apples and oranges. His anger appeared to lead him to true hatred, whereas I wasn’t angry at all, just resigned to my parents’ indifference.
We strolled through town, his arm stiff where I clutched it, and he seemed anywhere else but here with me. I tried to lighten the mood with girl talk.
“Hey, Princess,” I said. I was window-shopping while he brooded. “We should get something to take back to Muriella.” He gave me a sidelong glance, but said nothing. “I’ll pay you back after I get my next paycheck.”
This seemed to incense him further, but I ignored it and dragged him to the next window. There was a bracelet made of hammered silver and paua shell in the display that was perfect for Muriella. “What do you think?” I pointed and got awhatevershrug in return. I shook his shoulders. “You can snap out of it for ten minutes to find a gift for Muriella.” I’d had enough. Stewing all day didn’t seem to be an effective coping technique for him. If anything, his mood had darkened. It was time to take the kid gloves off.
“You know what? Forget about the bracelet. Muriella won’t mind if we come back without a gift for her. She’ll know we didn’t think of her at all.” I patted his cheek, giving him a condescending look.
Except he didn’t bite. So I grabbed his hand and dragged him toward Steamer Wharf. He followed along, which I took as progress. Didn’t even hesitate when I pulled open the door to Minus 5 Ice Bar.
He laid down his credit card, and in minutes, we were pulling on heavy blue coats with fur-lined hoods, Ugg boots, and winter gloves.
“Come on,” I said with a grin when it was time to go inside.
I was wowed on impact. The entire room was a palace made of ice. There were sculptures of people and animals dotted throughout the space. A swordfish. A windmill. Matching lions. A goat. Even a bench and chairs made from giant blocks of ice, with complex patterns carved into them.
We only had fifteen minutes in the frigid bar, so I wandered around, keeping Daniel’s hand firmly in mine. He said nothing as I marveled at the intricate designs.
“Look at this detail.” I pointed toward a swan. There were eyes and feathers and a perfectly shaped beak.
Daniel stared at the smooth ice, but the silent treatment continued. Eventually, I wound over to the bar, accepting the Polar Blair cocktail the bartender passed.
“Look! It’s an ice glass.” I held it up to Daniel in awe. No reaction. “Oh come on. This is impressive.”
I nearly dropped my drink when he took a sip of the fruity red concoction. He wrinkled his nose and set the glass back down on the bar. More silence.
I tasted my own, shivering at the chilly glass against my lips. Pretty good, but I could see where a whiskey palate might not like it.
I meandered over to an unoccupied bench which was covered with an animal skin. As I sat, I held out the camera to Daniel. “Take my picture?”
He took a few shots while I posed before sinking down next me. Even obliged when I asked another couple to take a photo of us. I snuggled next to him, and slung his arm around my shoulders when he wouldn’t do it voluntarily.
I kissed his rigid cheek. “Thought you’d thaw out in this place since it’s warmer than you are.”
