Heart on ice

"I thought you left," Ivy said softly.

"I was waiting," Ryan replied.

"You're getting soaked."
"I don't care."

"Why are you still here?"
"Because if I leave now... I'll regret it."

"...Ryan."

"Ivy."

Silence.

"Can I?" he asked quietly.
She nodded slightly.

His hand touched her cheek.
"You're shaking."
"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not cold."

"I didn't say you were."
A pause.

"I think I'm falling for you," he said.

"...You think?"

"No," Ryan whispered. "I know."

"You shouldn't say that."

"But I do."

"...This is a bad idea."
"...We should stop."

"I know."
Neither of them moved.

"Then what are we doing?" she whispered."

Ryan looked at her.
"I don't want to stop."

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Some girls get noticed. Some girls chase attention.

Ivy Caldwell is neither. She came to North Ridge University to start over, to be invisible, and to focus on her studies. A new city, a new school, a fresh start-no distractions, no drama, no mistakes.

Then she meets Ryan Carter.

He's everything she's not: confident, reckless, the star forward of the hockey team, and the kind of guy every girl wants-but who never wants anyone in return. He's the bad boy of campus, the player everyone whispers about, the guy who thinks he's untouchable.

But Ryan notices her. Not because she's loud or flashy, but because she's quiet. She doesn't swoon or fawn. She doesn't even know who he is. And suddenly, the guy who never chases anyone wants her more than he's ever wanted anyone.
This is a story about first impressions, stolen glances, and a game of hearts where the stakes are high.

Because sometimes, the coldest hearts can melt... when they're pushed Heart on Ice.