Ice Dreams Part 3 (11 page)

He disappeared back into his apartment and Madison quickly ran to her bedroom and changed clothes. She checked her phone again and Jessie had left a message that she was about an hour away.

She sat on the couch, watched TV and waited for her arrival. She ordered a pizza so they wouldn’t have to worry about food. When she heard the knock on her door, she jumped off the couch and threw open the door.

“Jessie! I can’t believe you are actually here.”

“You look so awesome, Maddy!” She threw her arms around her and hugged her tight.

Madison looked at her and smiled. “You look amazing, Jessie. You cut your hair short!”

Jessie had jet black hair that sat right above her shoulders. She had a body that any girl dreamt about having and any guy wanted. Madison pulled her into the apartment and shut the door.

“Yeah, I needed a change. So, what’s going on with you?” She threw her bag onto the couch.

“School is going well. I love my classes.”

“How’s the hot professor?”

Maddy chuckled. “He’s fine. I really love his class. I would love to take another one but his classes fill up so fast.”

“Maybe he can make an exception for you?” she winked.

“You are too much. How was the drive?”

“It was good, nothing major.” She was interrupted when the pizza guy arrived. They grabbed a slice and continued to talk. “Tell me about Mike, when can I meet him?”

“He’s fine. I need to update you.”

She smiled. “What’s going on?”

“I think I realized that I’m still in love with Hunter. Believe me, Mike is an incredible guy who kisses like you wouldn’t believe but my heart belongs to Hunter.”

Jessie smirked. “I could have told you that from the beginning. How did Mike take it?”

“He’s a great friend. I think he just wants me to be happy.”

“He lives across the hallway, right?”

Madison nodded as Jessie jumped off the couch and opened the door. “Jessie! What are you doing?”

She knocked on Mike’s door, turned and smiled at Madison. The door opened and Mike stood there. “Hi, I’m Jessie, Madison’s friend.”

“Hey Jessie, how are you?” he asked as he leaned against the door frame.

“I’m great. Would you like to join us for some pizza?”

Madison laughed as she stood up and walked to the door. Their eyes met and Mike nodded. “I would love to.”

Madison walked back to her chair and sat down. Mike grabbed a paper plate and a slice of pizza. “What are you ladies up to tonight?”

Jessie jumped in. “I’m exhausted so I would love to just veg out, if that’s ok?”

Maddy nodded. “Of course, I’m just happy that you are here.

She turned her attention back to Mike. “Madison wasn’t lying, you are hot.”

Mike grinned. “She said I was hot?”

Jessie nodded. “Yep, you are truly are.”

Madison blushed. “You can leave now, Jessie.”

She laughed. “Hey, if you don’t want him, I will take him!”

Mike blushed. “Wow, she’s a firecracker, isn’t she?”

Madison nodded. “Yes she is. I love her but sometimes I want to hurt her.”

Jessie finished her pizza. “You couldn’t live without me. You know Mike; I could tell you anything you wanted to know about Madison.”

“Oh really, anything?” he asked as she looked at Maddy.

She nodded. “I know her better than she knows herself.”

Mike smiled at Maddy. “I may take you up on that offer.”

Madison looked at both of them. “You are five minutes away from sleeping on his couch.”

Jessie perked up. “Is that an option?”

Mike blushed again. “Alright ladies, thank you for dinner. It was very eye opening.”

Madison opened her door for Mike and laughed. “Sorry about her, she never holds back.”

He shrugged. “I like that. Nothing is hotter than a girl who believes in herself.” He walked across the hall and closed the door.

When she closed the door, she leaned back against it. She looked at her best friend sitting on her couch. “Maddy, you know I’m only playing with you. I would never go out with him.”

She stood there for a second and thought about it. “Why not? We kissed a few times, nothing major. You guys were cute together. Maybe this will be my new project.”

“No, I’m just fine by myself right now. I don’t need any more grief. I’m here for relaxation and rest.”

“Let me grab you some sheets and pillows. Make yourself at home, Jessie.”

She hugged her tight and got her settled in for the night.

In the morning, Madison made them breakfast before she had to leave for her classes. “I have to work tonight after class. I should be home by six if you wanted to do something.”

She nodded. “Let’s go out. I’m dying to see the area.”

“Sure, we can do that. Are you going to be ok today?”

She nodded. “I will steal your Wi-Fi and start looking for new positions back home. Maybe I will go for a walk.”

“Enjoy the sun. Mike is always around so if you need anything just knock on his door.”

She nodded. “See you tonight.”

Madison arrived at the bridal shop around two in the afternoon. Amber was busy with a customer so she started filling the shelves with accessories. She watched the front door open as Mike walked in.

“Hey Maddy, what’s going on?”

“Just walked in, are you fixing something?”

“No, I wanted to see you.”

She looked at him as her heart raced. “What’s going on?”

He shook his head as if he changed his mind. “It’s nothing. It can wait. Tell Amber that I said hello.”

Maddy nodded as she watched him walk towards the front door. “Hey.”

He turned and looked at her. “What’s up?”

“Jessie and I are going out tonight. Do you want to join us? I think you guys hit it off last night.”

Mike continued to look at her. “Sure, I would love to.”

She smiled and waved goodbye. Amber came around the corner and smiled. “Hey, when did you get here?”

“Just about five minutes ago. Is it busy today?”

“Not really, just a few dress fittings and pickups, nothing major. Did your friend get into town?”

“Yes, last night. It’s so awesome to have her here. She’s the only part of my life back home that I miss.”

She nodded. “Mike talked to me last night.”

Madison looked down at the counter and continued to sort through materials. “What did he say?”

Amber reached for her hand. “He said that you are still in love with Hunter. Is that true?”

Maddy nodded. “Yeah, I haven’t said anything to him yet. I don’t know what to do.”

Amber smiled. “I deal with a lot of couples, Madison. I have seen the wrong people together and I have seen true love walk through those doors. I would love for you to date my brother but I see the truth in your eyes. Your heart belongs to another.”

“You know, I’m taking Jessie out tonight, why don’t you come along? I will see if Alicia is up for it.”

“That sounds fantastic! I’ve been dying to get away from the shop for a little bit.”

Madison smiled. “I’m taking her to Doug’s for drinks and dinner. Why don’t you meet us there around seven?”

Amber nodded. “Looking forward to it.”

They finished up the day and locked the store. “I will see you in a little bit,” Madison stated as she waved goodbye.

She had called Alicia and Carter and they were game. Both of them wanted to have some fun before they left on their honeymoon. Madison debated about calling Hunter and thought about it all day long.

When she got into her car, she called him. She got his voicemail.
“Hey Hunter, a few of us are going out tonight. I wanted to invite you. If you want to come, we will be at Doug’s around seven.”

She hung up and headed towards her apartment.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Madison and Jessie arrived at the restaurant right before seven and noticed it was already packed. The warm weather and sunshine brought everyone outside after a few days of rain. She looked around and spotted Amber sitting with Mike.

They made their way through the crowd and sat at the reserved table. “Amber, this is my friend Jessie.”

“Hey Amber, it’s nice to finally meet you. Hello again Mike.” Madison noticed a small flicker in Jessie’s eyes as she looked at Mike. She brushed it off as she sat down next to Amber. Mike waved as Madison turned around and spotted Carter and Alicia walking towards them.

She stood up and wrapped her arms around Alicia. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good. I wouldn’t have gotten through all of this if it wasn’t for you and the guys. Thank you so much.”

“I’m always here for you, sis.”

Alicia smiled. “I love the sound of that. Hey everyone, you must be Jessie.”

Madison turned back around. “Yes, sorry.”

Everyone said hello to each other as Madison looked at Carter. She hugged him. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine. I was worried about her but she seems ok. I’m keeping my eye on her.”

She nodded. “Have you heard from Hunter?”

“Yeah, he’s coming. He called me about an hour ago. He had to stop by a friend’s house first but he said he would be here.”

She smiled. “You remember Jessie, right?”

“Of course, how’s it going?”

She smiled. “It’s going good. I’m following Madison’s lead and starting over in life.”

Carter laughed. “You have become an inspiration, Maddy.”

She blushed. “I’m always happy to help. Come on, let’s order.”

Everyone placed their order and talked about life, love and politics. Mike revealed childhood secrets about Amber and she returned the favor. As Jessie laughed, Mike looked at her again. Madison couldn’t help but feel that something was going on between them but quickly turned her attention to Hunter who was walking towards them.

“Hey everyone, sorry I’m late, just needed to finish up some loose ends. How is it going?”

Madison smiled at him. “It’s going good. Let me grab the waiter so you can order.”

“It’s alright. I will just grab a beer at the bar. Be right back.” He winked at her as he walked away.

Jessie leaned over to her. “Are you going to tell him tonight?”

Madison watched him walk towards the bar. She noticed a few girls circle him and she could only assume they knew who he was. She felt jealous as the one girl touched his bare arm and leaned in towards him.

She could hear Jessie laugh besides her. “Tell him Maddy before he leaves with someone else.”

Madison looked at her and nodded. Her eyes caught Mike’s as he smiled. Everyone else was busy talking and laughing that they didn’t notice Mike speaking. “She’s right, Maddy. You have to tell him.”

She stood up and wiped her hands down the front of her jeans and straightened her tank top. She looked back at Jessie for help.

As if she read her mind, she gave her a little push towards Hunter. Madison walked across the restaurant towards the bar. Hunter took a sip from his bottle as his eyes met hers. She pushed her way through the crowd of girls and leaned against the bar. Hunter looked at her but didn’t say anything.

Madison brushed her hand across his chest, feeling his muscles against the cotton. “Can we talk?”

He nodded as he finished his beer. “Let’s go outside.”

She sighed when she felt his hand brace her waist and helped guide her through the crowd. When they got outside, the fresh warm air hit her face and she felt more confident. She turned to face him. “I wanted to talk with you for a second.”

“Sure, what’s going on? You look worried about something.”

She took a deep breath. “I still love you, Hunter.” She closed her eyes and waited for his response. She felt his hand reach for her waist as he pulled her closer to him.

“You what?” he asked. “Look at me, Madison.”

She opened her tearful eyes and looked at him. “I still love you.”

He tried to smile but she noticed his eyes closing as he took a deep breath. “I have been waiting to hear those words come from your month, Madison.”

“I hope I’m not too late.”

He finally smiled as he leaned down and kissed her. She melted against his lips as they fit perfectly back together. She moaned softly as his lips parted and deepened their kiss. His hands ran over her back and grabbed her waist. She heard catcalls from the people who walked passed them but she didn’t care.

When he finally pulled away, he smiled down at her. “I will never lose you again, Maddy. You are my life, my love. I don’t know what I did to deserve you back in my life but I’m holding onto you with both hands.”