Melting the Ice(37)
“What is wrong with you? You don’t want or need him in your life except to model your clothes.”
She marched into the living room, determined to change the channel. But her phone rang and she picked it up, smiling when she saw who it was.
“Stella. What’s up?”
“I’m downstairs. Are you busy?”
“Not at all. I just came home and threw on sweats. Long day.”
“I’m coming up. Buzz me in.”
Stella was Carolina’s best friend, and you just didn’t say no to her. Besides, she could use the pick-me-up, and since Stella was a fireball of energy, she couldn’t think of a more perfect time for a visit. She buzzed her up and went to the door to let her in.
“Hello, love,” Stella said as she breezed through the door and shrugged off her short leather jacket.
“Your style always kills me, Stell,” Carolina said.
Stella looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing now, oh fashion maven?”
“Not a damn thing. You’re stunning as always.” Carolina looked at Stella, always marveling at her friend’s fashion sense. Stella was tall, so the black leggings showcased her amazing dancer’s legs. She wore a gauzy top that rode to her hips, and finished the look with distressed combat boots. With her spiky short blonde hair and her sexy, killer blue eyes, the woman was a man magnet.
Stella waved her hand. “Stunning, my ass. And you look like shit. Have you slept yet this year?”
“And to think I wanted to see you so you could brighten up my day.”
“No you wanted to see me because you know I’ll bitch slap you with the truth. You’re working too many hours. And I brought beer.”
Carolina wrinkled her nose. “When have I ever liked beer? And you know I have to work a lot right now.”
“Whatever. I’m putting the beer in your fridge. And because I know you’re a beer hater, I also bought wine. The good kind—not even from a box.”
Carolina laughed. “You’re so sweet to think of me. Let’s get to drinking.”
Stella popped a beer, then fumbled through Carolina’s gadget drawer for the corkscrew and drew the cork out of the wine bottle while Carolina grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
“And you bought a cabernet. You remembered.”
Cocking a hip, Stella waved the corkscrew at her. “Of course I remembered. We’ve been friends for almost six years now.”
“I know. But you’d be surprised how many self-absorbed people I know.”
Stella handed Carolina the glass, then lifted her beer and clinked it against Carolina’s wineglass. “Honey, I work in the dancing world. I know all about self-absorbed.”
Carolina led her into the living room and they sat on the sofa. Stella’s gaze strayed to the television and she cocked a brow. “Hockey? You’re watching hockey?”
She knew she should have turned off the television before she let Stella in. “It’s . . . research.”
“I’ll say. Hot men, fast skates, all that adrenaline. Yum.” Stella propped her feet on the coffee table and took a sip of beer. “Which one’s your favorite?”
She should’ve just blown it off and made up someone. “Actually, I went to the same college as Drew Hogan. He’s going to do some modeling for the new line for me.”