Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Hey, Wendy! Got you another tub of honey pecan!” I call out, handing it to her while I try to catch my breath. She takes it with a grateful smile, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Thanks!” she replies, her enthusiasm almost infectious.
“Since the line is down, I’m going to walk around and see how our customers are doing.” I wink and turn around, ready to mingle with my patrons.
Surrounded by laughter, I weave my way through the swathes of families and couples enjoying their frozen treats. I can hardly believe I’m here, fulfilling a lifelong dream in a town filled with polar bears who love ice cream more than anything. My heart flutters as I spot an adorable little girl gleefully pointing at her cone while her dad tries to take a photo of her in all her messy glory.
After chatting with a few customers and accepting a compliment on the Honey Pecan ice cream, I feel a surge of confidence bubbling within me. That’s when I catch sight of the tall, dark, and drop-dead gorgeous shifter sitting with another equally good-looking guy at a table out of the corner of my eye. My breath catches for a heartbeat as I stare at the tall one. Sharp jawline? Oh, heck yes. Those cheekbones could practically cut glass. But there’s something different about him. He has a magnetic charisma surrounding him, drawing me in. Too bad, he’s currently choking on a banana split.
The other man across from him is just as handsome, but he doesn’t set my heart racing in the same way. He blends into the background, a supporting character in the movie unfolding in front of me.
I can’t help myself. As curiosity gets the best of me, I head over and give the choking shifter a slap to the back. “Are you okay?” I ask, trying to sound casual instead of like a giddy schoolgirl whose cheeks are probably as pink as the cotton candy-flavored ice cream we serve.
The tall, dark shifter who doesn’t affect me looks up, his eyes bright with amusement. “My twin is having trouble with the bourbon on top.” Bourbon? I mentally roll my eyes when I realize Wendy is letting them think our maple bourbon sauce has any alcohol in it. The shifter leans over like he’s going to tell me a secret and whispers, “Don’t tell anyone but he can’t handle his booze.”
“Fucking asshole!” Mr. Tall, Dark, and Smoking Hot hisses under his breath and slams his hand down on the table. I jump a little bit as he turns his hazel eyes toward me. “I’m fine. It just went down the wrong pipe.” He gives me a smile that turns my insides to mush.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” I step back, needing to put some distance between us. “Please enjoy the rest of your treat.” I attempt to step back, but he stops me by holding out his hand.
“I’m Gabe Bearly.” His deep voice sends a shiver straight down my spine. I reach for his hand in slow motion, knowing my entire world is about to change. As our skin touches, sparks sizzle down my spine, waking up nerve endings I didn’t even know I had. My girly bits wake up and sing as I fight the urge to fan myself. When he releases my hand, I struggle to catch my breath. Holy cow. I’m in so much trouble here. His lips turn up into a smirk as he points at the other man. “And this moron is my twin brother, Grant Bearly.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Louisa Baldwin.” I barely recognize my own voice. I should feel ridiculous for being so flustered by the simple introduction, but I don’t have the brain power right now since Mr. Tall, Dark, and Smoking Hot turned my mind to Jell-O. “I’m the owner of Polar Scoops,” I somehow manage to squeak out.
“This place is great,” Grant tells me, but I barely hear his words as his brother holds my eyes captive.
I drag my eyes from Gabe’s and smile at his twin. At least, I hope it’s a smile. Right now, I’m not sure of anything. “Thank you.” Fudge, I’m completely flustered as unfamiliar warmth rolls through me. “I knew this would be the perfect town to open an ice cream shop!”
“I’m glad you decided on Glacier Pass.” Gabe pulls my attention back and his smirk transforms into a grin, revealing a spark of mischief that makes my heart flutter nervously.
Just then, a familiar voice breaks through the haze, a welcome interruption that sends a wave of relief through me. “Louisa! We need some waffle cones made over here!” Wendy calls from the counter, waving her arm frantically as if trying to catch my attention.
I feel a rush of gratitude for the distraction and use it as a perfect excuse to step away from Gabe and these crazy feelings flowing through me. “Excuse me for a moment!” I say, flashing them both an apologetic smile, though I can’t quite pull my gaze away from his just yet. “Enjoy your ice cream.”