Breaking the Ice

Chapter Twenty-Four: Fool Proof Plan

Marcus's POV

I park the vehicle in the available space in front of the cafe I was originally supposed to meet Anna and turn the engine off. Turning to look at Anna in the back seat with Peter, I felt a lump in my throat when I saw the look on her face. She was both confused and angry. Confused I understood, but the anger gave way to my own confusion.

"Why don't we head in? Courtney said she'll be close behind in her car," Damien said as he exited the front passenger seat and Anna and Peter did the same.

As I armed the alarm, Courtney pulled up next to us and followed us into the cafe.

A young girl showed us to a booth and we gave her our orders. Anna was still avoiding my gaze as she fiddled with her cellphone in her hand. I open my mouth to say something, but she beats me to it.

"Okay, so during the drive here, I pieced together some things," she said, taking a breath before she continued. "Posh Spice and her underlings are the Ramsey sisters Damien told me about before. Your supposed arranged fiancés?" She looked at all of us as we nodded silently, while Courtney eyed us beside her.

"So if these sisters are Houston's beloved skaters, why are they suddenly here?" Anna leaned back in her seat, her eyes now locked onto me.

"That we don't know. Our dad has been pretty pissed at us lately and we've practically been avoiding him. Bella and her sisters being here is news to us. I don't even know why she was at Hillcrest," I let the truth of my words shine forth for Anna to see and the way her features softened gave me some relief.

The waitress appeared with our coffee orders and Courtney requested some sandwiches while Anna's attention was suddenly on her cellphone once more. Letting the wandering thoughts in my head get the better of me, my mouth began moving on its own accord.

"How long have you known that guy anyway?" I asked bluntly, causing Anna's eyes to leap from her phone to me while Peter choked on his iced Americano.

I felt Damien jab me in the ribs as my brain screamed for me to shut the hell up, but I kept on going.

"You two seemed close, the way he defended you with Bella and her sisters."

Anna's eyes narrowed a bit and she watched me silently for a few seconds before she answered. "Liam is an Art History junior. I didn't know his name until today when he said it."

I couldn't hold back the smirk that pulled at the corner of my lips as the realization dawned on me that I was acting like the jealous boyfriend. I cleared my throat and reached for my latte as the waitress brought our food to the table.

"So how are we supposed to know their intention here?" Peter asked before biting into his BLT, his eyes rolling back as spicy mayo smudged the corner of his lips.

Damien sat forward and pulled out his phone, swiping a few times before turning it around to show it to us. "They're here for a figure skating competition. But it doesn't make sense. Their coach only involves them in international meets. This one is nothing."

Anna reached for the phone and stared at the screen for a while before handing it back to Damien. "So they showed up in front of me to what? Make a point? Stake their claim? I'm not a threat to them," she said as her eyes briefly met mine and then darted around the cafe aimlessly.

"Oh, but you are, dear Anna," Peter said as he swallowed loudly and took a big gulp of his Americano. "Our dad knows you mean something to Marcus after that kiss at the game. And Damien stood up for you guys, so he knows it's serious business. The only business our dad wants to hear about is money-making business, period."

All eyes were on me now after that and Anna's gaze felt as though it was about to burn a hole into my head.

"We're in a fake relationship. Maybe this is putting a lot strain on your family. Why don't we--" Anna moved to stand from her seat, but my hand shot out to stop her, the booth going quiet except for Peter's loud chewing.

"We're not breaking up," I said and I didn't miss the way Anna's features relaxed before she tried to hide it. "I don't want Anna getting into any more fallouts with Carter and his people," I finished, earning me an eyeroll from Peter and a dismissive scowl from Courtney.

Anna sat back down quietly and reached for her hot chocolate. I found myself watching as she slowly sipped the drink and my stomach went tense with knots as the tip of her tongue darted out to get the trail of foam on her upper lip.

Another sharp jab in my ribs had me cursing out loud as I turned to see Damien watching me with an obscure look on his face and Peter trying not to choke while holding in laughter. I shift in my seat a bit as I run my hand through my hair while trying to focus on anything else but the pairs of eyes looking at me around the table.

"Listen," Courtney broke the awkwardness by slapping her hand on the table. "The Ramsey's are here for a competition. Your father would expect you to keep them company while they're here. Am I correct?" She made a point of making sure every single one of us was paying attention.

"Dammit, he would expect that," Peter groaned.

"But he promised to never bring up the arrangements until after we graduate. Putting us in the limelight now doesn't make sense. We did our duty in Houston. Why are they here now?!" My hands ball into fists on the table and I feel the beginnings of a headache at my temples when a warmth suddenly engulfs my hands.

I look at the table to see both my hands fully enclosed by Anna's, and she's looking at me with a smile. I watched as she took a deep breath, her smile never slipping.

"You did me a solid by helping me put Carter and Jessica in their place. Let me do you one now," her hands squeezed mine and I just wanted to pull her into my arms and never let her go.

"You don't want to provoke our dad Anna," Damien warned. Anna merely shrugged her shoulders.

"So what? Ruffle the feathers of the man who's been ruffling my own dad's feathers for years?" she lets out a little laugh. "My dad taught me how to tackle a Defenseman when I was twelve. I think I can handle an old guy in a suit. I'll be fine."

Peter moved further in his seat as a look of excitement appeared on his face. "Then this plan has to be fool-proof. Because if our dad gets wind that we're doing something to screw up his partnership agreement, he'll definitely send us to boarding school. I can't wear trench coats and drink English tea. I'll go crazy!"

Peter's antics has everyone laughing until tears fell from our eyes as the evening ran its course and the strain from the previous encounter faded into nothing but a distant memory.