Too embarrassed to scream or cry out, I bit my lip.
“That had to be painful. Are you okay to stand?” Wickham turned around to help me up. His eyes widened as he pulled me to my feet. "It was brave of you to protect that kid."
“Is she okay?” I whimpered, testing my footing as Wickham steadied me. The confused little girl looked back at me, unaware I'd spared her from catastrophe. “I’m not sure skating isfor me.”
Music pulsed like a heartbeat as Wickham steadily guided me to the bench. “Let’s give you a break. I brought a thermos of cocoa. Want some?”
“Yes, definitely. Thank you.”
We arrived at the bench on the side of the pond, where we’d left our shoes and bags. Wickham brushed the thin layer of snow from the seat and pulled a small blanket from his bag. “I know it’s a bit cold for a picnic, so a blanket on a bench will have to do.”
“It’s perfect.” I said as I settled onto it. “So, tell me more about the famous George Wickham.”
“Well, I play bass.” He shrugged.
“There's far more to you than that. Spill.” I leaned closer, nudging him with my elbow.
“I played hockey in high school, and I teach guitar lessons on the side, but you know that. Your eyes are gorgeous—it’s distracting. I was born in Manchester, England. But I came to the States as a kid and lived in upstate New York for much of my life, except while I was at university, and during my stint in the reserve. Enough about me. You’re probably finishing up with college pretty soon, I’d imagine?” He gave me an inquisitive look. Ifhe thought my eyes were distracting, he should try looking in a mirror.
“Yes. I don’t advertise it, but I’m more scholarly than people believe. I graduated high school with my associate's degree, so I’ll finish my bachelor's this spring—art history major—and then I’m hoping to go to Europe for a while,” I said, wondering what it’d be like if he came along.
“Are you traveling alone?” he asked.
How to answer that one. “If I can arrange it, I’ll be going with some friends. My sister Kitty may come if I can drag her away from her boyfriend. Currently, I’m just trying to fund the trip." I gave him the gentlest nudge. "But, you know, I wouldn’t fight anybody if they wanted to join me.”
“Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Europe is amazing. I miss my family’s holidays to the continent.” His dark eyes grew distant for.a moment.
“The continent... oh, European continent, of course. Sorry. Well, nothing’s official yet,” I answered. "You've had an adventurouslife, it seems."
"You could describe it that way." The side of Wickham's mouth turned up, and he dug through his canvas bag. “I must’ve left the cocoa in my car. I’ll be right back.”
I stayed, resting my knee while Wickham jogged toward the parking lot. A few minutes later, he came back with a thermos of hot cocoa and some chocolate-dipped strawberries.
“You went overboard.” A twinge of guilt shot through me since he’d gone to so much trouble and I’d only fallen and banged up my knee.
Wickham scooted right next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. With his free hand, he offered me the thermos. “It’s warmer this way.”
“Ten, nine...” The DJ started the New Year’s countdown.
“Wait, is it already almost midnight?” I asked, butterflies exploded in my stomach as I processed the implication.
The crowd shouted together, “ . . . three, two, one. Happy New Year!”
Wickham smiled. “Hadn’t even crossed my mind. Happy NewYear, Lydia.”
And then we had our first kiss.
If I ever had to describe our first kiss to our posterity, I’d tell them to imagine what a first kiss between a rock star and a witch would be like. Ours was better. Almost too good to be true. And I will admit that he tasted like strawberries.
I love strawberries.
Everything was perfect. Until we got back to the amphitheater.
Chapter 2
Iwantedtostaycuddled up on that bench for the rest of my life. But as the fae magic faded, even sitting next to Wickham wasn't warm enough to stop my teeth from chattering. So we headed back.
“I had fun, Lydia. You’re easy to hang out with. Do you mind if we stop by the amphitheater real quick before we walk to my car? I have something I want to give you.”
