The way I fit perfectly in his arms.
The way my heart races when he looks at me like I’m his whole world.
The way he smells like winter air and cedar, like hope and home.
When he pulls back just enough to look at me, his green eyes are bright and sparkly, filled with happiness.
I know without a doubt that whatever happens next, we’ll face it together. This accidental husband of mine, who’s become the most intentional thing in my life, is my future.
He rests his forehead against mine, both of us breathing raggedly, and he whispers against my lips, “I love you, Nina.”
I smooth my hand down his chest. “I love you, Lane.”
I am certain that the smile that spreads across my face could power the entire Ice Palace Arena, but the warmth radiating between us tells me there is nothing chilling about it.
Our mouths crash together again as we kiss under the winter sky and snowflakes drift slowly from above.
When we finally part, I tell him about my morning, starting with the coffee maker prank. He woke up to little snap cap firework novelties hidden under the bathmat that he stepped on and nearly caused him to have a heart attack.
We both laugh and then abruptly stop, remembering that we’re technically Mya and Kai’s guardians and that kind of behavior isn’t acceptable.
Then Lane says, “But Nina, we’re not our parents. We’renot our fears. We get to choose who we become, and I choose this. I choose us. All four of us.”
I step off the ice and into his arms, skates and all, and after he kisses me again, he says, “This is like the victory of a game and homecoming all at once.”
His hands are steady at my waist, holding me secure even though I’m wobbling slightly on my blades. Kissing him here, surrounded by the crisp air and the unique scent of ice, feels like we’re in our own private snow globe moment.
When he deepens the kiss, I completely forget about my injured ankle and fears and what I lost, and it’s replaced by how much I’ve gained.
I can feel him smiling against my lips—celebration and relief and something that feels like forever all wrapped up together. When we finally break apart, both of us are grinning like fools. Our breath creates little clouds between us in the cold air.
Gaze capturing mine, he asks, “Do you think you might want to do this skating thing more often?”
“I thought you were going to say kissing.”
He smirks. “That too.”
I laugh. “With you? I think I could get used to both.”
He shakes his head. “No, I think every time will feel like the first time.”
“I choose us, too,” I whisper against his lips. “I choose to rise to meet this occasion, whatever it brings.”
Holding me tight, he says, “Good. Because I have a feeling Mya and Kai are watching from a nearby hideaway.” He jerks his head slightly to the left. “And if we don’t get this right, they’re going to escalate their ‘Matchmaking efforts.’”
Sure enough, when I look over my shoulder, I can see two small faces peering at us from the bleachers, giving us enthusiastic thumbs up.
“We should probably send their teachers a weekly box of pastries.”
We both laugh and Mrs. Rice’s comment this morning echoes in my ears as I practically hear Papa and Bibi joining in with encouragement.
Two weeks later,I’m staring at an envelope from my landlord with the kind of dread usually reserved for root canals and tax audits. I’ve been so caught up in family life and relationship revelations that I completely forgot to worry about the lease situation.
Except when I open it, instead of an eviction notice, I find a new lease contract with Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan listed as the property owners.
My pulse accelerates. There must be an error. I can’t imagine Lane Senior and Sabrina bought the building. Then again, some of my early morning regulars have mentioned that investing in Cobbiton is wise, with the way the arena draws so many visitors.
I’ll have to contact the agency and bank on Monday.
