Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Hope’s POV

There. I had already said it out loud. It felt like I was estopped from taking it back.

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Lia squealed, her coffee nearly spilling all over the table as she jumped to her feet. My eyes widened, and I steadied everything before a disaster could strike. Fortunately, only a little bit spilled as she sat back down.

“I knew it! I knew it!” she said, pointing an accusing finger at me. “You’re not the only perceptive person here. Aiden and were already talking about how cute of a couple you guys would make.”

“What’s your ship name? Levope? Wait, no, that sounds like an electronic brand. Hopvi! Aww, that’s so cute. You’d make really cute babies, too. Let me borrow one of them, okay?”

I quickly covered her mouth and watched as some staff members passed outside. I smiled at them before returning my focus to Lia, who was still smiling beneath my hand.

I let out a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair. “Shout it to the whole world now, will you? And you’re getting ahead of everything, Lia.”

I only like him, but there was no telling that he actually likes me.

“Sorry, sorry,” she said, holding up a peace sign. “I’ll keep it a secret. Don’t worry. I have a really tight mouth. I don’t spill things that easily.”

I sighed in relief and sat back down. “I’ll hold you to that.”

She placed a hand over her heart and nodded. “I promise.”

“So, when did you realize that you like him?” she asked, her voice fortunately turning softer as she scooted closer to me.

I had been asking myself that too, and I let out a deep breath.

“I guess… just now,” I muttered, the realization also hitting me hard.

Her eyes widened.

“I mean-I’ve always found him attractive.”

“Aye aye, girl,” she said with a smile. “Everyone finds Levi attractive. Not that I’m stealing him from you.”

“Don’t worry,” I muttered. “He’s not mine in the first place.”

“Hmm?” she asked, unable to hear my last words.

I shook my head. “He’s always been attractive in my eyes, but he was an asshole when we first met. I thought it was just an innocent crush. However, the more I get to know him…”

My mind drifted to the times when he had been so gentle with me. He let me ride in his car. He drove me back to my place. He took care of me during their family dinner. He had actually done much more than I had realized.

Did I start liking him before this already? Was I deeper into this than I had realized?

Lia snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Hope! Did you just fall in love with Levi for the second time?”

My cheeks reddened, and I shook my head. “It’s not like that. I was just… remembering.”

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Chapter 82

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“Hmm,” she hummed with a knowing smile, looking unconvinced. “I don’t think you’re as hopeless as I am, though. Lévi actually seems interested in you.”

I turned to glare at her, my heart racing inside my chest. “Don’t give me that kind of hope, Lia. You said he’s never been in a relationship. He’s most likely not going to change that.”

“Yeah,” she muttered. “But he treats you differently. Now, I don’t know everything about Levi, but I think he just hasn’t met the right one. He’s always been closed off, and he must have some issues that have prevented him from interacting normally with any person.”

She held my hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “But I think you’re the right person for him.”

My heart started racing again, hope flooding through my veins, but I shook my head.

“He has so many admirers, though,” I muttered.

“You’re right about that,” she agreed, not even attempting to sugarcoat it. “Even Delaney’s still trying, even if she’s already with Connor.”

“What?” I exclaimed, unable to control my voice.

Her eyes widened. “Whoa, calm down. You didn’t know?”

“I know,” I muttered. “I saw her once before, but I thought she’d be over it since she’s already with Connor.”

“Oh, trust me, honey,” Lia muttered. “She does not stop at one man. Even when she liked other guys, she still liked Levi. She’s been pining for years, and he hasn’t spared her a glance. It’s obvious that she still likes him.”

I bit my lip, insecurities suddenly flooding my senses.

I knew I shouldn’t feel this way, but Delaney was still the person Connor cheated on me with. Even though Levi and I didn’t have anything going on, there was still a tiny voice in the back of my mind telling me there was a greater possibility of Delaney and Levi ending up together than there was of Levi and me.

“Hey, don’t worry,” Lia said, probably noticing my mood. “Let’s make Levi fall hard for you tomorrow to the point that he won’t even consider Delaney. Although, I don’t think he’ll consider Delaney in the first place. He has rejected her plenty of

times.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked, tilting my head to the side, my mind foregoing her latter words. “What’s going to happen tomorrow?”

“Wait, you don’t know?” she asked, confused. “Tomorrow’s the kick-off party.”

I continued staring at her as though she were speaking a foreign language.

“Beth told Aiden to tell you. It’s also all over the internet. Everyone’s excited for it.”

I scratched the back of my neck. “I don’t really use social media.”

“Of course,” she muttered. “And of course Aiden didn’t tell you! That forgetful nerd.”

“Anyway, it’s a party for every team participating in the Winter’s Crown, and you, my dear, are coming with us.”

10:49 Thu, Jul 16