I could see people on the man-made rink the town had put up since the small lake hadn’t frozen over yet.I grabbed my gloves and skates before leaving the truck.It had been so long since I’d skated, I hoped I hadn’t forgotten how.
Skating used to be our thing every winter when we were younger.It had actually been our very first date in this very park at this very event.I smiled as the memory filled my mind.
I glanced at my watch, it was almost six thirty, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Mindi was already here.It wouldn’t look good if I was late, so I quickly made my way over to where Brooke and Tristan were serving the first batch of hot chocolate and apple cider before the tree lighting.
“Hey, Noah, what can I get for you?”Brooke asked as I approached the table.
“Two hot chocolates, please, and two cookies,” I answered.
She got right to pouring the two cups while Tristan bagged the cookies Sarah and I had decorated.
“So, how does it feel being back in your old hometown?”Tristan asked, handing me the cookies.
“Honestly, it feels very much like home.Not a lot has changed, but it has at the same time,” I added.
“It was nice to have you helping at the community center the other day as well,” Brooke said.“I’m sure Mindi appreciated that.”
“It was nice to be included,” I told her.“Have you seen her?”
“Not yet,” Brooke said, passing me the two cups of hot chocolate.
A feeling of disappointment fell over me, wondering if perhaps she would not show.
“There she is.”Tristan smiled.“She’s walking over with Trinity and Thomas right now,” he said, holding his arm up in the air and waving in their direction.
“They all know where we set up, silly.”Brooke giggled, elbowing Tristan in the side.
Tristan turned to me, his face screwed up like he was in pain as he rubbed his side.Brooke giggled, and we both laughed.Then he grabbed her and pulled her to his side and kissed her forehead.
“I bet it’s odd seeing Mindi again after all these years,” Brooke said, pouring herself a cup of hot chocolate and taking a sip.
“No, not odd,” I said, my voice low.“Unexpected, but wonderful at the same time.”I turned to see her laughing at something Trinity had said.Just as they approached the table, she turned her eyes on me and softly smiled.“Hey you,” she whispered.
“Hey, are you ready?”I questioned.
“For…”
“Skating,” I said, tugging on one skate that hung over her shoulder.
She nodded and took the hot chocolate from my hand.
“Where’s Sarah?”Brooke asked.
“Oh, she is with Gracie and Iris.They are on their way.”
“Wonderful,” Brooke said, rubbing her hands together.
“Shall we?”Noah asked, slipping his hand into mine and gently tugging me toward the ice rink as we left Brooke, Tristan, Trinity, and Thomas together.
We’d both just finished tying our skates when I slipped the hot chocolate from her hand and stood up, taking her hands in mine.
“Ready?”I questioned, stepping onto the ice.
“Gosh, Noah, I don’t know,” she said, looking at the ice in panic.“I haven’t done this in years.”She giggled.“What if I fall?I’m not as young as I used to be.”
“You’ll be fine.It will come flying back in no time,” I said, hoping I was right, because I too hadn’t skated in years.“Besides, I’ve got you.”I winked, hoping I sounded confident and not afraid of both of us falling to the ground.
“Easy for you to say.”She giggled.
