The Ice Twins - Nikki Jefford Page 0,4
like makeup, so I only applied a touch of pink gloss to my mouth, smacking my lips in front of my bathroom mirror while turning my head from side to side for a look at both angles.
Dressed and ready for Ren’s proposal, I tidied up my cottage. I’d left light gray, turquoise, and navy cotton yarn out on my couch with an oak dowel for the wall hanging I was weaving. I gingerly picked it up and set it in a fabric tote beside the credenza I’d painted with various shades across the front drawers. There were ceramic feathers painted green and dipped in gold set in little wood stands atop the credenza, and art—mostly my own—covering nearly every available wall space.
It didn’t occur to me until that moment to question where Ren and I would live. I loved my cottage, but he preferred his pristine, minimalistic townhome. Hmm. Relationships were about compromise. We’d figure something out.
A knock at the door had my heart thundering up my throat. I rushed over to let Ren inside. He stood at the threshold, glowering, which had my mind spinning in confusion. He held no flowers or bubbly wine, but at least he’d dressed the part in tailored slacks and his tweed jacket.
Ren stomped into my cottage. “Those foolhardy Elmray twins nearly got their niece killed this afternoon.”
My jaw hit the floor before I’d finished closing the door. “Is Amelia okay?” I asked in alarm.
“Fine, thanks to her father. Reed and Ronin attempted to freeze Sterling Pond. The little girl stepped onto the ice and fell through.”
I gasped in horror.
“Good thing she was by the shore.” Ren shook his head. “One of these days, those two are going to get someone killed.”
I pushed the door closed rougher than I’d intended. “Reed and Ronin would never purposely harm someone, especially not Amelia or Titus.” The twins were scamps, but they had big hearts. I knew how much my friend Fraya loved having Reed and Ronin over to spend time with her family.
Ren lifted his chin. “Their intentions matter little. It is their actions I object to.”
I frowned. “Well, I’m sure they’ll think twice before they freeze something after today.” This proposal wasn’t getting off to the best start. Clearing my throat, I started toward my cute little kitchen just off the living area. “Can I get you a glass of sweetberry wine?”
“No. I won’t be staying.”
Dread seeped into my heart at Ren’s curt tone. His lips pursed when he looked at me. Even his eyes seemed to sneer. I didn’t have to be a forecaster to see my proposal wasn’t coming.
“Zelie, I’ve come here to inform you that I no longer wish to see you romantically.”
My heart lurched with such force, I nearly tripped over my own feet. I gaped at him, unsure I’d heard correctly. Despite his abrupt arrival, I hadn’t been expecting this. “What?” I whispered.
Ren’s entire body leaned away from me like I was contagious with some mystery disease he didn’t want to catch. “I bumped into Nonie at the Rose Parlor Tea Shoppe a couple days ago and inquired after her well-being since Horith’s death. We ended up taking tea together and talking for nearly three hours straight. Yesterday, I realized I would like to court Nonie. We have a connection that I’ve never felt with you. Obviously, I need to end my relationship with you before I can proceed.”
I stared at Ren and kept staring, sure I had to have misheard. His words must be rearranging themselves inside my head. But no. Ren was truly breaking up with me.
I blinked several times. What the pit? We’d spent two years together, but one cup of tea later, we were finished? “Just last week you talked about going on holiday together,” I accused.
It was supposed to be an end-of-the-school-year mini break with only the two of us. I’d already started a mental packing list of the clothes and accessories I planned to bring along for our romantic getaway.
Ren nodded solemnly. “Unfortunately, I no longer wish to spend time with you. That is why I am here telling you now.”
Gee, how considerate. Nice of Ren to rip my heart out of my chest before pursuing another female.
“After spending the afternoon with Nonie, I realized I’ve been bored with our relationship for some months now,” Ren continued. “There’s no more excitement or passion.”
No passion? Whose fault was that? I wanted to scream into his perfectly symmetrical face. I was always the one wanting to