Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 13 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 13

Chapter 3 

When I woke up, my sleeve was soaked through. 

Next morning, I found myself in bed somehow. 

After blinking away the confusion, I walked out to the kitchen. 

Brendan was at the stove. A giant cake sat on the table. 

“Oh, you’re up.” 

He barely glanced at me. 

“Why’d you crash on the couch? I had to carry you to bed. My back’s still killing me.” 

He was grinning like it was some cute story. Like we were still fine. 

My chest tightened. For half a second, I almost smiled back. 

I walked over and reached for the cake. My voice came out quieter than I meant. 

“Sorry, I just dozed off. Wait-did you get this last night? It’s been sitting out-” 

“Don’t touch it!” 

He slapped my hand away. Hard. My knuckles burned red instantly. 

“That’s for Tina. She mentioned wanting cake last night, so I got up early to grab one.” 

“I did get you milk though. It’s in the fridge.” 

I pulled the door open. 

One bottle of strawberry milk stared back at me. 

When I was eighteen, Brendan gave me expired strawberry milk by accident. 

I spent three days in the hospital with food poisoning. 

He’d been a wreck. Held my hand and cried until his eyes swelled shut. Made me swear I’d never touch the stuff again. Made himself promise to keep me away from it forever. 

Now he’d forgotten that too. 

I stood there holding the fridge door open, cold air hitting my face. 

Finally, I closed it. 

09:28 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

10.5% 

Chapter 3 

Brendan looked over and frowned. 

“You’re not drinking it? Tina recommended that brand.” 

“I don’t drink strawberry milk.” 

“Since when?” 

“Since I was eighteen. Because of you.” 

He paused for a second. Then shrugged it off. 

“Huh. I must’ve forgotten.” 

“Yeah. You must’ve.” 

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Chapter 4 

The kitchen went dead quiet. 

Brendan opened his mouth to say something, then his eyes caught my bare hand. 

His face hardened. 

“Where’s your ring? Why aren’t you wearing it?” 

I lifted my hand to answer. 

His phone rang. 

Tina’s voice burst through the speaker, all bright and bubbly. 

“Brendan! Tell me you got my cake!” 

“It’s matcha, right? That’s my favorite!” 

“I’m pulling up right now. If you forgot, I’m gonna be so upset!” 

The tension drained from his face. He smiled at the phone. 

“Got it right here. Don’t worry.” 

He grabbed the cake off the table and barely looked my way. 

“We’ll talk tonight.” 

Then he was gone. 

Ten seconds. That’s all it took. 

If he’d stayed ten more, I would’ve told him everything. 

I’m leaving. Tonight’s flight. 

I let out a bitter laugh, twisted my hair into a messy bun, and started shoving things into my suitcase. 

Halfway through packing, my phone buzzed. 

Chapter 4 

Stay home tonight. We need to talk. 

I typed back. 

What time? 

Around eight. Gotta drop Tina off first. 

My thumb hesitated over the screen. 

Okay. 

My flight left at ten. 

I kept packing. 

At seven, I pulled up DoorDash and ordered myself a cake. 

Every year from seven to twenty-seven, Brendan had been there for my birthday. 

This year wouldn’t be any different. Even if I had to celebrate alone. 

By seven-ten, I’d zipped my last suitcase shut. 

Plugged my phone in to charge. 

Brendan texted. Just left work. Heading to his car. 

Tina posted on Instagram. Passenger seat selfie with “the boss” driving. 

Only his hand showed in the shot-resting on the steering wheel. 

That diamond ring caught the light perfectly. 

Her caption: *Best driver ever 

I stared at it until my vision blurred. 

Then I liked it. 

Seven-forty. Phone fully charged. 

Still no Brendan. 

I checked my delivery app. The cake was two miles out.