Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Levi’s POV

Zayla looked like she was about to cry again, so I opened my arms.

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She didn’t waste a second. She threw herself at me and hugged me tightly-the same way she used to when I left for good. back then. I let out a deep breath and patted her back awkwardly.

I wasn’t used to gestures like this. Physical affection had never come naturally to me.

Still, in a strange way, it comforted me too.

I didn’t think the little girl who had clung to my side since we were kids would one day be living miles away from me.

“I’ll miss you,” she muttered against my chest.

I sighed. “I’ll visit during the off-season.”

I felt her shoulders shake with a laugh.

Pulling back slightly, I looked down at her with a questioning frown.

“I believe you,” she said, smiling.

My brows furrowed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her smile widened.

“You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.”

“You probably don’t realize it,” she continued, “but you have. A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you if you said you’d take time off during the off-season. Not even for me.”

She laughed again, appearing amused by my confusion.

I still didn’t understand what she meant, but she seemed happier now, and that was enough for me. So I let it go.

A voice suddenly echoed throughout the airport.

“The boarding gate for RP 1345 shall close in fifteen minutes. Please proceed to boarding gate 149 as soon as possible.”

I glanced toward the departure area.

“That’s your flight.”

I gestured toward Matthias.

“Give her the bags.”

Matthias stood from where he had practically folded himself on top of the trolley cart carrying all her luggage,

“I’ll see you soon,” Zayla said with a bright smile.

I raised a hand.

10:45 Thu, Jul 16 d

Chapter 69

“Yeah.”

She waved one last time before heading toward immigration, not once looking back.

I watched until she disappeared from sight. Then, I let out a slow breath and turned toward Matthias.

To my surprise, his eyes were glistening.

I adjusted my cap and mask before shaking my head.

“Let’s go.”

Without waiting for him, I headed toward the parking lot.

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Behind me, I heard him sniff loudly. When we reached the car, he immediately grabbed the passenger-side door handle

I shot him a look. “To the back.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“What? Why?”

“To the back.”

“But I want to sit in front.”

I stared at him. The longer I stared, the deeper his sigh became. Eventually, he slammed the passenger door shut.

“Fine.”

He dragged himself toward the backseat and climbed in. The moment he closed the door, another exaggerated sigh escaped him.

“Yet you let Hope sit there.”

I started the engine.

“You’re still on that?”

“Of course I am.”

I rolled my eyes.

Matthias leaned forward from the backseat.

“Just how special is she to you?” he asked. His voice carried a teasing note.

“More special than your best friend of ten years?”

My hand froze on the steering wheel.

The engine hummed softly.

And suddenly, his question echoed inside my head.

How special was Hope to me?

I still didn’t know the answer. I honestly didn’t.

Chapter 69

But despite that, my mind immediately drifted back to what had happened only a few moments ago.

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I had been so consumed by my impulses that I hadn’t even thought before kissing her. One second, I was looking at her. Next, I had my mouth on hers. Even now, I could still feel the ghost of her lips against mine.

My grip tightened around the steering wheel.

I could still remember the taste of her. And somehow, that thought didn’t disgust me. Normally, it should have. The idea of exchanging saliva with another person sounded unpleasant. Yet when it came to Hope, I couldn’t find a single part of it disgusting.

I frowned.

Maybe something was wrong with me.

I had never seriously considered dating before. Not once. Relationships had always seemed unnecessary and complicated. My parents proved it to me at a young age.

Playing hockey was enough enjoyment in my life.

However, what I was feeling for Hope was something new. Maybe I should have dated someone when I was younger so I could comprehend my feelings better.

Unfortunately, the person sitting behind me happened to have that kind of extensive experience. Far more experience than anyone reasonably should.

“Yoo-hoo?”

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Aren’t we leaving? I have a fitting tomorrow morning, remember?”

I sighed and shifted the car into drive. The vehicle slowly pulled out of the parking space.

I guess he had some use after all.

As we exited the airport, I debated whether I should ask him. The problem was that if he realized I was asking for myself, I would never hear the end of it. So I needed to be vague.

“Hey.”

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