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"Really?" Brian says dryly "I found her to be a little rude"

"She's blunt," I say, looking at hiest heart in the world And she likes to get under people's skin, which is what I' to do with you, Brian," I say as I shoot a glance back at him "I think that only means she really likes you"

"Funny way of showing it," he mutters, then adds petulantly, "She had me convinced Tink was a murderer"

I burst out laughing, as do Gray and Ryker, and Brian shoots glares at all of us Then he wipes away our ah of this conversation I won't say I'm old, but I'm too set in ia Mack would be the last person I'd ask out"

Hmmmmmhe doth protest too much, methinks

He's so going to ask her out

Chapter 9

Roman

I slip and slide my way across the snow-and-ice-covered sidewalk to the front door of The Grind It's close to 4 PM and I'm the only car parallel parked out front, but Glenwood Avenue is bu of the southerners to take shelter during incleun

While I wasn't with the Cold Fury then, I've heard all about when Raleigh got hit with an epic snow and ice storh the Departently salted the roads, the storm was such that it didn't matter Ice accuridlocked with a et home News reports had children stranded in schools, co up to twelve hours to drive five miles, and numerous wrecks, because let's face it, it's hard to drive on ice in the best of times, nearly impossible for people who have no clue how to do it

After it started to snow and sleet about two hours ago, an alar amount of ice collected on the trees, power lines, and roads Since the city was still slightly trauo, the Cold Fury cleared the staff and players froame is scheduled for tomorrohich is still tentatively on, but that will depend on how hard we actually get hit

This sucks in a ht The plan was for ot off at six, but that is not going to happen with the way the weather is The governor's office has relayed to the news stations, which in turn have relayed to the ed to stay off the roads and inside This means most businesses will be shut down, so no fancy dinner with Lexi

Yet here I a home

She and I have texted several times over the last few days, and I was even coht in New York I kneas late, but I also knew she'd be up, because I'd texted with her plenty of tiht, I'd learned that she drives a very tiny car, which would surely cause massive injury and potentially death if she were to slide off the road or get hit by soer So I decided to co her ho on icy roads

The minute I pull the door open to The Grind, I can feel the emptiness before I even take note that there are no custo, no hiss of espresso ainst tabletops

I don't see anyone, so I take a few steps toward the ordering counter, intent on calling out, when Lexi suddenly appears from a closed door behind the bakery cases

"What in the world are you doing here?" she asks with a surprised grin

"Came to drive you home," I tell her

She rolls her eyes at me, and it's cute for sure "I told you I'm fine"

And she had indeed told ave her a heads-up our date was looking like it was a no-go

"I decided not to believe you," I tell her with an answering grin "And I hope to hell you don't have to stay here and work until six The roads are getting really bad"

Lexi shakes her head as she bends down briefly behind the counter and pops back up with a heavy coat and her purse in her hands "I' out the day's books for Georgia She's out of town for a few days and I'm the only one she trusts to close the place down"

"Good," I say with relief as she puts her purse on the counter briefly so she can get her coat on "Let's get going then"

Lexi co a set of keys from her purse "You know, I really didn't need you to drive me home I am from Connecticut and have driven on an icy road or two before"