Page 1 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

DANI

M y phone buzzed in my pocket as I walked into my favorite bar, Reilly’s, after another rough day at work. I knew who it was and I had no desire to respond. Why that man couldn’t get a hint was beyond me and annoying as hell.

And not what I needed to deal with right now. A vodka soda was calling my name, as was a world-class burger that I knew Randy would have ready for me as soon as I sat down at the gleaming bar top.

I loved this place, and the fact that it was close to my office, had good food, offered mixed drinks at just the right level of strength to take the edge off, and wasn’t crawling with tourists or hockey players was exactly what I needed.

“Dani, the usual?” Randy called out when he spotted me.

“Yes, please.” I flashed him a smile and slid onto the worn padded barstool. I didn’t need fancy. Just well-loved ambiance and great food.

“Yeesh. Rough day?” Miranda, one of the bartenders, asked as she pulled out a fresh glass to make my drink of choice.

“Yeah, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.”

“Yeah, yeah. HIPAA and all that.” She handed me my drink and smiled. We’d become friendly over the last year thanks to my too-frequent visits. “Don’t think I don’t know that you use that excuse to get out of dishing on nonclient stuff, too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I took a sip as my phone buzzed again. Ugh, I just wanted to enjoy this perfect drink and not look at my phone.

“Should you take that?”

“Ugh, it’s Roger. Again.”

She blew out a breath. “That man can’t take a hint, huh?”

I never liked airing my life story to anyone, but Miranda was nice and just a little pushy, and after a few too many drinks last week, I’d given her more details than I’d planned about my ex. “Pretty sure telling him we were over wasn’t just a subtle clue. I was extremely clear.”

She shook her head. “Maybe he got hit in the head too many times with a puck.”

“He just doesn’t like the answer no,” I muttered. I never should’ve started dating that man in the first place, but he’d seemed nice and it’d been a while for me. And in my defense, he’d kept his super possessive side hidden for the first two months.

“Idiot man.”

“Aren’t they all?”

She snorted. “Stop with that talk, they aren’t all bad. So, what’s the dumbass want? Or are we not even looking?” She gestured at my phone.

“We are so not looking. Hopefully, he’ll get distracted by someone else soon,” I said.

“There it is.” My eye lit up and I set down my glass as Randy placed what I knew was a perfect medium-cooked burger in front of me, the sharp cheddar melted along the edge of the bun with that bacon marmalade concoction he created on top of the cheese.

I needed him to bottle up that marmalade. “Come to Mama.”

Miranda chuckled. “You get way too excited over a burger.”

Randy scoffed. “Like you don’t order it every night you’re on shift and moan about it. Well, when you’re not moaning at me, of course.”

“Seriously, don’t call me out like that.” Miranda swatted the bar owner—and her boyfriend. “I take back my statement. You’re right, Dani, all men are idiots. Even if they cook like a dream.”

“Don’t knock perfection. Now, go bicker away from me so I can eat in peace,” I teased.

“I’m just going to teach him some manners and I’ll be right back.”

“TMI.” I waved my hand at them and focused on my dinner. This was exactly what I needed after a rough day.

Between managing the stress at work—especially with two of my clients struggling extra hard since the new school year just started—trying not to get too emotionally invested with the kids where I volunteered on the weekends—who were going through the same school startup drama—and now Roger’s stupid texts, I was exhausted.

“Dani! Hey, girl. Damn, I always forget how good those burgers look.” I glanced over to see Belinda Jones, a coworker who had become a friend, take the seat next to me.

“Hi. And how could you even?” I tried not to moan when I took my second bite.

“Hey, Belinda. Want the same thing?” Miranda asked, walking out of the back room and shoving her mussed hair behind her ear.

Belinda quirked her brow. “The same thing that you just had or what Dani’s having?”

I snickered. From what I could tell, Miranda and Randy were newly dating. I’d overheard a few of the regulars gossiping about how the two had flirted endlessly and it was about time they figured their shit out and got together.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Miranda stated calmly.

Belinda gave her a once-over. “Uh-huh.”

Miranda huffed. “We were just kissing. No clothing is out of sorts.”

Belinda’s smile widened. “Got you. And yeah, I’ll take a burger, but a beer instead of the vodka soda. Gotta keep my wits about me. I know the strength of those things you make.”

“On it.” Miranda quickly keyed Belinda’s order into the computer.

“So, you good? I heard raised voices and your door slamming, but I had just started a session.”

I sighed. “Yeah, just another rough one. You know, it’s easier sometimes to just have the kids without their parents in the room.”

Belinda was a child and family therapist like me, and it wasn’t a job for the faint at heart. I loved helping the kids that came in, but some days were really fucking hard.

“I totally get that. I swear it’s always worse on Friday, like going into the weekend is just harder for some kids.”

We chatted a bit about work and then moved to teasing Miranda about her flourishing love life while Belinda waited for her dinner.

“So, anything fun planned this weekend to de-stress?” Belinda asked after finishing her drink.

“I’m just going to veg and soak up some sun. Probably head over to the youth center and hang with the kids Sunday afternoon.”

She laughed softly. “Of course you are.”

My phone buzzed again.

“Roger?” she asked.

I sighed and flipped it over. “Nope. My dad. Another call I’m not answering tonight.”

“Men,” she muttered.

“No shit.”

“But not Randy. He’s the best,” she said, just as the man in question deposited a burger in front of her.

“Damn right I am. And you ladies only deserve the best. Want me to kick Roger’s ass if I see him?”

Miranda patted Randy on the arm. “Oh, honey, you could try, but Roger has like zero body fat and muscles on muscles.”

“Damn, woman. Do you want me to stop kissing you?”

“I mean, he’s got nothing on you. Go get him, tiger.”

I rolled my eyes. “Keep those pet names to yourself. Some of us are trying to eat here.”

Randy winked and Miranda swatted his chest.

“And you don’t have to kick his ass, but thanks for the offer.”

“Anytime.”

He headed back to the kitchen and I focused on my meal and talking with my friends until Belinda had to head out to relieve her sitter.

“You coming?” she asked.

“No, I think I’ll have another drink.”

“Sounds good. Just call an Uber or me if you need a ride home, ’kay?”

“I will, promise.”

We said our goodnights and Miranda dropped off another vodka soda before heading back down the bar to fill other orders. I sipped my drink and took in a breath to relax my shoulders. I probably needed to do a yoga class or something this weekend to get rid of this tension.

But for now, I was going to enjoy my dinner and grab a slice of Randy’s Death by Chocolate cake. It was sinfully delicious and exactly what I needed tonight.

Men were overrated. Cake was not.

***

“You need anything else?” Miranda asked an hour later as she cleared away the dessert plate I’d practically licked clean.

“Um, maybe just a club soda with lime.” I’d had two drinks and wasn’t in the mood for more, but plain water was too boring. And I wasn’t ready to leave.

“Coming right up. Let me just get this guy’s order first.” She moved a few steps down the bar. “Welcome. What would you like to drink and can I get you a menu?”

“A menu would be great, thanks,” a deep voice said. His tone made my spine tingle, like one of the guys on social media who was always growling and reading smutty book quotes.

I bit back a snort at how ridiculous that sounded in my head. Real men don’t make spines tingle by just saying thanks. Maybe I was just sitting weird and my butt fell asleep or something.

“Here you go,” Miranda said, putting my club soda in front of me. I caught her gaze as she did a slight head tilt toward the deep voice.

“Yeah, no,” I muttered.

“Hot,” she mouthed.

Not that I was interested in anyone right now, but Miranda had piqued my curiosity and I couldn’t help but glance over at him.

Damn . She was not wrong. He was looking at the menu so I could only see his profile, but that was enough.

Strong, square jaw covered by a decent amount of dark brown scruff.

Full lips, broad shoulders, eyelashes I could see from here, which was just unfair as fuck.

Why did men always have great eyelashes? What a waste.

Then he pulled out a pair of glasses and put them on.

Fuuuuuck.

I was taking another sip of my drink, my eyes still cataloging that profile, when he turned and caught me full-on staring at him.

I sputtered and coughed.

Real smooth, Dani .

Not that I was trying to be smooth or anything. Nope.

His eyes widened. They were blue, like tropical ocean blue, all clear and warm.

Maybe I needed a vacation.

“Are you okay?” He rose from his seat two barstools down from mine.

I waved my hand and tried to cover another cough. “Yeah, I’m good. Totally fine. Wrong pipe.”

A small smile played at his lips. “Those pipes are the worst.” He had that nice-guy look going for him and a shallow dimple in one cheek.

He held my gaze like he was waiting for me to talk. “What?”

“Sorry, that was weird. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yep, all good.” I took another sip and coughed again, but it was just a tiny cough.

He quirked a brow over his glasses. The thin black frames only drew more attention to his beautiful eyes.

Dammit. How strong were those two vodka sodas?