“This isn’t so bad.”
As she said that, she started to trip. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me so she didn’t fall. Her wide eyes blinked at me, and I realized how long her lashes were. She really was much prettier than I thought. That Marco guy was clearly an idiot. I mean, I knew that before now, just because of Isabella’s personality, but I really started to notice her outer beauty was just as attractive.
Isabella was still in my arms, trying to regain her balance, when I remembered this was supposed to be a date. Once she gained her footing, I pulled her closer to me and lowered my lips to hers.
She relaxed in my arms, holding me tighter so she wouldn’t fall, but she didn’t need to worry. My arms were solid around her. I ran my hand up her back and cupped the back of her neck. Holding Isabella felt lovely but, after a few more seconds, I eased back a bit. When her eyes fluttered open, she smiled at me again. With a raised brow, I questioned her.
“Still nothing?”
She laughed.
“Nope. You?”
“Nope.”
After a second, we returned to skating. I frowned.
“Why do you think that is? It’s never happened to me before. Usually, there is something, you know? Even if it wouldn’t lead anywhere.”
Isabella bit her lower lip.
“I’ve been thinking about it too and my only conclusion is that our hearts are broken. I think we can kiss everyone in the place and still not feel anything until they’re mended.”
Annoyed, I shook my head.
“Cassidy did not break my heart.”
Isabella stopped skating, and we both almost fell but recovered. She reached out and touched my cheek.
“I didn’t say she did. But something broke it, Liam. You don’t have to tell me what happened, but at least admit that much to yourself. I mean, you said you’re a completely different person than you used to be. Something must have happened to your heart. Nobody just wakes up and decides to change their whole personality without a reason.”
She wasn’t wrong, but now was not the time to start remembering. I certainly hadn’t planned on her figuring it out so quickly. We were supposed to be having fun.
Isabella seemed to read my mind again and smiled.
“I know where I would have taken you on a date.”
We started moving again, and I raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Where is that?”
Her smile, which I would rate as one of the top ten smiles in the world, reappeared on her face.
“The Blend. So, you can have the best cup of coffee and blueberry scone in the world. Also, so you can see what a coffee shop should be like.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You liked a Drop of Heaven!”
“Hey, I’m just saying, a normal cappuccino shouldn’t have gold dust in it.”
She laughed again and this time it was hard enough that she lost her balance. We had been moving fast; there was no way to avoid falling. Isabella collided into me. The only thing I could do was wrap my arms around her and take the brunt of it. In the end, we hit the side of the rink and ended up tangled in a mesh of arms and legs.
“Questo è così stupido!”
I knew she was calling something stupid. Me? I hoped not. Either way, I was about to start apologizing when she just burst out laughing again. We were sprawled out on the ice, but she was mostly on top of me, and she continued to laugh as she buried her face in my chest.
I laughed with her. It struck me that her laugh was so beautiful and contagious, it would be impossible for anyone to resist joining in. I had never realized how closed off I had been to people until that moment. Cassidy would have flown off the handle and yelled at me for a week if this was her. It was refreshing to be with a girl that could laugh at herself. Is this what I had been missing out on?
